EM Acoustics has unveiled HALO-B at PLASA Focus, Leeds where it can be seen for the first time in the UK. The third system in the HALO family is a medium format, 110° horizontal dispersion line array for indoor and outdoor sound reinforcement. As its name suggests, HALO-B sits between HALO-A and HALO-C in both physical size and overall system output, and as such is perhaps the most versatile system in the family.
Built on the same ‘maximum headroom’ design principles as HALO-A to ensure consistent performance across all SPL levels and consistent horizontal dispersion pattern across the operating frequency band, HALO-B is a two-way reflex-loaded medium format line array element featuring a patent-pending proprietary HF emulation manifold which combines the energy of four 1-inch compression drivers into a plane-wave array. These are flanked by two 8-inch LF drivers in an optimally tuned, lightweight, ported enclosure. The bi-amplified design results in only a single crossover point, which in turn translates into reduced amplifier channel count and more efficient use of amplifier power.
Continuity of voicing is preserved across the entire HALO series, enabling HALO-B’s use as a companion system to either the large format HALO-A, or the compact HALO-C systems in addition to stand-alone main PA applications. Festivals, stadia, sports arenas, performance venues, houses of worship and corporate AV events are all ideal candidates for HALO-B, designed to be equally comfortable in both fixed installation and mobile applications.
A tough, weather- and impact-resistant polyurethane coating and a touring-friendly, ultra-high tensile steel 3-point flying system with quick-release pins complete the package. Finally, HALO-B is matched with the ST-215 flyable dual 15-inch subwoofer and packaged with Dante-enabled DQ Series amplifiers or the flagship DQRack
EM Acoustics operations director, Mike Wheeler is categoric about the company’s latest release: “HALO-B is simply the best product we’ve ever made.”
Wheeler attributed this to a number of factors: “Firstly, we were successfully able to scale the technology used in HALO-A; this isn’t always possible, but when it is it can bring huge benefits. For example, the high-frequency manifold technology that we developed for HALO-A if anything, performs even better in its scaled-down HALO-B implementation. Secondly, HALO-B is an ideal size for so many applications, either on its own or accompanying something else – we feel it will be a really useful tool for rental companies looking for maximum ROI. We are looking forward to seeing HALO-B put through its paces on tours and events throughout the summer.”