02/18/2009
The Origin
JBL Professional is a brand that offers a comprehensive range of sound reinforcement solutions. Today it is a benchmark in a variety of applications. Its wide variety of series is aimed at meeting any need in the field of professional audio, both in live music and in fixed installation, always adapting to the requirements of each application.
JBL has always been characterized by maintaining continuous contact with installation, integration and consulting companies in order to stay up to date with their needs and requirements. “It's clear that no two installations are the same, so JBL's offering always strives to provide the best and most effective solution, whatever the project we're talking about,” says Earpro, the brand's official distributor in Spain.
In 2002, JBL Professional took a giant step toward solving any sound reinforcement installation by creating the AE (APPLICATION ENGINEERED) series.
The AE (APPLICATION ENGINEERED) series consists of more than 30 models, including two- and three-way enclosures, subwoofers, different coverage patterns with rotatable horns, and different power ranges depending on the application. It was in this series that the DuraFlex™ finish was standardized, now used in other series from the brand such as VERTEC, MRX, PRX and VRX. The DuraFlex™ finish, patented by JBL Professional, consists of a final treatment applied to the wood in several coats. The final aliphatic coat is designed to resist scratches and “can be painted.”
JBL recently presented, as a world premiere, the new AE COMPACT series, which can currently be seen at the Earpro booth at Afial.
This new series has each and every one of the qualities of the larger AE series. But in addition, in a truly compact size, it offers real solutions and incorporates countless exclusive features, allowing JBL Professional customers to take on countless projects and purposes.
The new AE Compact series adds eight models to those already existing in the AE series.
Enclosures with 5” speakers
We'll start with the smallest enclosure: the AC15 model. This model includes a 5.25” speaker and a small but powerful 1” driver, handling 225 W (600 W peak) with 90º x 90º coverage.
Always with its intended applications in mind, the new AC15 has an impedance of 16 ohms and 108 dB (max SPL) in less than 25 cm.
The next model, the AC25, is an enclosure that incorporates two 5.25” speakers and the powerful 1” driver. The AC 25, with 90 x 90 coverage, handles 300 W (900 W peak). Like the AC15, it has an impedance of 16 ohms, with an output of 115 dB (max. SPL).
Enclosures with 6” speakers
The new AC16 includes a 6” speaker, together with a new high-performance 1” driver and a horn with 90º x 90º coverage. The power handling for this enclosure is 200 W (800 W peak), with an output of 110 dB (max. SPL). All this in an enclosure just 38 cm high.
Moving on to the next model, the AC26, we should remember that this is a dual 6” speaker enclosure with a 1” driver. What's surprising about this enclosure is that, at just 54 cm x 20 cm, it delivers 117 dB with 350 W power handling (1200 W peak), over a frequency range of 70 Hz to 18 kHz and with constant 90º x 90º coverage.
Enclosures with 8” speakers
JBL's AE Compact series offers four versions in the 8” enclosures.
The JBL AC18 is available with two coverage patterns: the AC18/95 (90º x 50º) and the AC18/26 (120º x 60), “both with a rotatable horn.” This enclosure handles 375 W (1000 W peak), incorporating an 8” speaker and a 1” driver attached to the rotatable horn. It's worth noting that the driver it incorporates is also used in larger series such as the JBL MRX and JBL PRX. The maximum SPL output of this cabinet is 118 dB, over a frequency range of 63 Hz to 19 kHz.
JBL offers the dual 8” model, the AC28, also with two coverage patterns: the AC28/95 (90º x 50º) and the AC28/26 (120º x 60), incorporating a rotatable horn. “You actually end up 'doubting' what you have connected. It's incredible that an enclosure of such small dimensions (67 x 23 x 25 cm) delivers 700 W (1200 W peak), with an output of 120 dB (max. SPL) and an operating range of 60 Hz to 20 kHz,” says Earpro.
Finally, JBL has added the new Filtered Array Technology (FAT™) to the AC28, which is also included in the AC 25 and AC26 models. In addition, the AC28 includes a switch in this filter that changes the frequency filter depending on whether the enclosure will be positioned vertically or horizontally when rotated. Filtered Array Technology (FAT™) is a specific filter whose aim is to achieve an optimal response from the two speakers.
Common features:
“These are the outputs, power ratings and technical features that make this new AE Compact series a truly surprising new series. Its finishes and details couldn't be any less impressive... All models have a DuraFlex™ finish and Speakon NL4-type connections or binding posts for easy connection.”
In addition, the series offers multiple optional brackets that allow the cabinet to be placed on a tripod, wall, ceiling, etc., and its front is a steel grille.
“JBL Professional has accustomed us to pleasant surprises in its launches and innovations. But even more so this time, it has hit the nail on the head, offering integrators/installers a new series of enclosures that will meet their needs and current market demands,” Earpro concludes.