Axiom Pro Audio presented their first constant curvature array system, based on the full-range AX1012 enclosure. Capable of deployment as individual, point-source systems or in horizontal or vertical array configurations, AX1012 represents a versatile solution that can meet the needs of a wide variety of applications, from small, mobile main FoH systems, to fills of all types, to permanent resident systems for in-the-round venues like sports arenas.
The multi-purpose design philosophy of this enclosure, and its entire related system of hardware and accessories, makes it ideal for providing maximum return on investment for rental companies.
The array element is available in the AX1012A version with 900 W + 300 W class D bi-amplification on board, or the passive AX1012P version, each capable of developing up to 134 dB SPL (@ 1 m). The enclosure is equipped with a single 12″ woofer with a 3″ voice coil for the low end of the frequency spectrum, while a 1.4″ compression driver with a 2.4″ voice coil handles the high end.
The driver is coupled with a proprietary Seamless Transition Waveguide (STW) with a nominal dispersion of 20° along the short axis of the enclosure and of 100° on its long axis. The on-board amplification of AX1012A incorporates a CORE module based on a SHARC DSP.
With internal 40 bit/96 kHz processing and high quality 24 bit AD/DA converters, it offers a dynamic range greater than 110 dB. It is network-controlled via the Pronet ax loudspeaker control software, which offers an intuitive user interface for system configuration, tuning, and live monitoring and control.
The passive AX1012P, instead, represents a solution for permanent installations, where control-room centralisation is a key factor, or for users who wish to supplement larger systems that already have standardised amp racks. Thanks to careful design, AX1012 is capable of maintaining this directivity (at -6 dB) all the way down to 950 Hz, making it an excellent choice for fill coverage where precision counts to avoid interference with the main system or other fills. As the name implies, the Seamless Transition Waveguide is designed to couple the emissions of multiple AX1012 enclosures with practically zero interference in the perceptible frequency bandwidth, in order to construct arrays with flawlessly uniform coverage in simple building blocks of 20° increments – whether they are to be deployed horizontally or vertically.
The hardware system for the AX1012 is designed to maximise the flexibility of the system for the rental company while minimising inventory complications. Just a few types of hardware allow for any type of flown, stacked or pole-mounted deployment. A horizontal suspension bar – used together with horizontal coupling bars – allows multiple AX1012 elements to be flown together horizontally from a single rigging point. A single type of vertical flying bar can be employed to suspend multiple units as main systems for smaller venues, centre fills for larger stages, stage side-fills, out-fills, or under-balcony delay coverage.
As a unique feature, two of these flying bars can be attached at either end of an array to create even downward-firing clusters. The rigging possibilities of this “third dimension” allow coverage of entire stages for dancers, or for sections of arena floors. This same flying bar can be used as a base for ground-stacking vertically curved arrays as mains systems for low-lying stages in amphitheaters or as ground-deployed coverage of the stands in sports venues. Pole-mount adaptors are available to create small, mobile systems either on stands for speech reinforcement or coupled by poles with subwoofer enclosures for musical applications. Obviously, horizontal arrays of AX1012 can be placed on their sides at stage level or atop subs to serve as mains, or as in-fills, out-fills or centre clusters for the front rows in combination with larger systems.
Built to the same high, road-ready standards of the Axiom range – 15 mm reinforced phenolic birch cabinets with highly durable finish, grill and hardware – the entire AX1012 system is designed to be a go-to sound reinforcement solution for rental companies that require high quality and maximum application flexibility. For the specific needs of permanent installations, instead, the enclosure can be factory customised not only in terms of aesthetics – with personalised colours according to specific RAL codes – but also to meet electro-mechanical or weather-resistance specifications through the use of alternative connectors, types of finish, silicon treatments, rust-resistant metal parts and other options.
