Cutting edge and future. This time, we're looking at the K product line that goes by the name K-Array RED LINE. This red line is made up of five excellent products which, as you might expect, are highly distinctive in terms of (naturally) their quality and sophistication. Introducing them without further ado, here they are:

KR200S – Ultra-slim column speaker system (front-firing acoustic system, a true line array).
KL18ma – Lightweight, high-power active subwoofer (the ideal companion, purposely designed as such, for the slender KR200S).
KL18 – Another subwoofer model, practically identical to the previous one but in a passive version (optimized to work together with the KF12 system).
KF12 – Two-way tri-amplified loudspeaker cabinet, with a coaxial speaker and an additional power output for a subwoofer (hence "tri-amplified," despite being two-way); ideally the aforementioned KL18.
KF8 – Like the KF12, this is another tri-amplified loudspeaker cabinet (with a coaxial speaker), though with less power than the previous one.

There is also a sixth product included in this Red Line. This is the KL12 subwoofer, which was designed with the aforementioned KF8 (its companion) in mind. This sub is mentioned in the KF8's spec sheet but, as of today, I haven't found it on the manufacturer's website (which is odd). One can easily guess that it is a passive subwoofer cabinet, powered through the output provided for that purpose on the KF8 (Sub Power Output), which will supply it with 750 W; so, at the very least, that will be the continuous power the KL12 can handle. I imagine it won't be long before it appears on the manufacturer's official website; for now, I've noticed that this information is missing and have just said so.

Crossing the red line

KR200S ultra-slim system
This is where science fiction begins. Imagine a system of speaker columns as thin as 55 millimeters, capable of handling 500 W RMS (each column) and that also have the virtue of projecting their sound as a true vertical line array (the now-famous cylindrical wave); their main technical specifications are dazzling in their own right.

Power handling:
Continuous: 500 W (AES standard)
Peak: 1200 W (EIAJ standard)
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Operating bandwidth: 30 Hz to 19 kHz +/- 3 dB (with KL18ma subwoofer)
Sound pressure level: 101 dB 1W/1m
Transducers: 32 2-inch speakers, neodymium magnet and ¾-inch voice coil
Dimensions: 55x70x2000 mm
Weight: 9 kg

Notes:
Single-way passive system
Ultra-slim column speaker.
High efficiency.
32 transducers mounted in a vertical array.
Ultra-light weight.
Recommended crossover frequency between subwoofer and KR200S: 150 Hz.

KL18ma subwoofer
This is the recommended cabinet/machine, which, in addition to pushing the bass/sub-bass range into our acoustic environment, supplies the appropriate power to the KR200S just described.

Power handling:
Continuous: 800 Watts (AES standard)
Peak: 1600 Watts (EIAJ standard)
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Operating bandwidth: 30 Hz to 150 Hz +/- 3 dB (depending on preset)
Sound pressure level: 97 dB 1W/1m
Transducers: One 18-inch speaker, neodymium magnet, 3-inch voice coil
Built-in amplification: Class D amplification, built-in DSP. 1000 W for the subwoofer, 1000 W (on an output connector, for the KR200S satellite or, also ideal, for the KL18 passive subwoofer)
Dimensions: 465x465x585 mm
Weight: 20 kg

Notes:
Bi-amplification (one amplified output).
18-inch cone with high electrical power handling and excursion.
Response from 30 Hz.
Maximum continuous sound pressure level of 127 dB SPL.
Control and processing via built-in DSP.
RJ45 connection for remote control.
Protection against overcurrent, overheating and short circuits.
Dynamic limiter.
Very lightweight.

This KR200S/KL18ma sound system (as you'd expect, you'll need two for stereo; and for 5.1? and for 7.1?) is something sublime, extremely elegant and, on top of that, very powerful, especially considering what we have before our eyes. Surely, once they've seen and heard it, some people will think... how is this possible? Suitable for theaters, runways, nightclubs and party venues, concert halls, cinemas and large-scale audiovisual systems, etc. Whenever you can, do yourself the favor of seeing and hearing it; this is an explicit recommendation.

KF12/KL18
The KF12's enclosure houses a 12-inch coaxial speaker, along with a two-inch mid/high driver mounted on a compression driver; accordingly, we are dealing with a two-way system that is, in addition, bi-amplified, and that also has an amplified output for the subwoofer (so we're really dealing with a tri-amplified cabinet) that will normally accompany it in its duties. This ideal companion is the KL18 passive subwoofer, designed primarily for this purpose, which doesn't mean this sub can't be used with other sound reinforcement systems.

As for this subwoofer cabinet, I won't say anything more, since for practical purposes it is identical in specifications to the KL18ma we've already seen, except, of course, for the lack of built-in amplification (it's passive), which, as you'd expect, results in a lower weight (17 kg). Remember that this cabinet is powered through the power output (1000 W) provided for that purpose on the KF12; it is also ideal for connecting to its sibling, the KL18ma, giving you a sub-bass system of a couple of kilowatts with high sound pressure in that band, something extremely interesting.

Power handling (Lows/mids – Highs)
Continuous: 800 W + 200 W
Peak: 1200 W + 500 W
Transducers:
- Lows/mids: 1 x 12-inch, 3-inch voice coil and neodymium magnet
- Highs: 1 x 2-inch mounted on a compression driver, neodymium magnet and 3-inch voice coil
Impedances: 8 + 8 Ohms
Operating frequency range: From 40 Hz to 19 kHz
Sound pressure levels 1W/1m: 97 dB - 101 dB (Lows/mids – Highs)
Coverage angles: 70 x 70 degrees
Amplification: Class D amplification, built-in DSP
- Lows/mids and highs: 1000 + 500 W
- Subwoofer output: 1000 W
Dimensions: 330x330x335 mm
Weight: 13 kg

Notes:
Bi-amplified two-way plus one amplified output (tri-amplified cabinet).
Good bass response (from 40 Hz).
Wedge-shaped (for use as a monitor).
High power (2500 W at just 13 kg).
High performance.
Protection against overcurrent, overheating and short circuits.
Dynamic limiter.
RJ45 connection for remote control.

The KF12/KL18 loudspeaker system is suitable for sound reinforcement in all kinds of situations, except perhaps for large-scale events, where another type of sound system might be more appropriate (remember the K-Array panels? That's a whole other league). In any case, you know how it goes: it's a matter of stacking cabinets.

KF8
This new product in the K-Array Red Line is essentially a somewhat more compact version of the KF12, so I won't go into it in more depth; I will, however, include a brief outline of its main virtues.

Power handling (Lows/mids – Highs)
- Continuous: 500 W + 100 W
- Peak: 1000 W + 200 W
Transducers
- Lows/mids: 1 x 8-inch, 1.75-inch voice coil and neodymium magnet
- Highs: 1 x 1-inch mounted on a compression driver, neodymium magnet and 1.5-inch voice coil
Impedances: 4 Ohms (lows) + 8 Ohms (highs)
Operating frequency range: From 55 Hz to 19 kHz
Sound pressure levels 1W/1m: 96 dB 101 dB (Lows/mids – Highs)
Coverage angles: 70 x 70 degrees
Amplification: Class D amplification, built-in DSP
- Lows/mids and highs: 750 + 250 W
- Subwoofer output: 750 W
Dimensions: 245x260x310 mm
Weight: 10 kg

Notes:
Bi-amplified two-way plus one amplified output (tri-amplified cabinet).
Good bass response for an 8-inch (from 55 Hz).
Wedge-shaped (for use as a monitor).
High power (1750 W at just 10 kg).
High performance.
Protection against overcurrent, overheating and short circuits.
Dynamic limiter.
RJ45 connection for remote control.

Am I done?
Although it may seem that I'm praising these products, and indeed all K products, too highly, nothing could be further from my intention. Just by looking at and interpreting the tables (brief ones, I'll admit) that I usually put together for the greater information and understanding of all kinds of readers, anyone can see what's really there; in short, what I'm talking about.

To wrap up this account of a thousand and one wonders, I'll tell you that as I finish writing this piece, the Rent Music folks are busy at their booth at that German trade show, demonstrating the K product range in a practical and effective way, surely with great success. Meanwhile, the lovely Inés (from Rent Music), who provided me with information and graphic material essential for putting this article together (a thousand thanks, Inés), told me about the presentation in Germany, as the latest K news, of a couple of products made by HP Sound Equipment, called the Tornado and the Viper. The first is intended for the installed sound world (background music and/or distributed paging systems), and the second is another new Ultra Slim and Ultra Flat column, in other words very thin and flat. I won't go any deeper into these two products because they aren't the subject of this piece, but they were worth mentioning. As I said, you may have seen them in Frankfurt. At this rate, any day now we'll be carrying a ton of power in our shirt pocket.