MONITORING
Winner: Genelec 4430 The Finnish studio monitor company launched the 4430 as a product to “give the AV world exceptional sound quality over IP”. It’s a two-way active installation loudspeaker. Our nominating panel noted the useful features of delivering power and sound to multiple loudspeakers over a single network cable, and controlling them remotely using software. It seems voters in our 2020 Awards agreed, with the 4430 just passing the PSI Audio A14-M v3 monitor by a narrow margin (3.2%). To be clear: no AC power required! This opens up a world of potential applications in broadcasting, movie making, and even in music recording environments outside of conventional studios. When our editor heard the sound quality and peak handling of these little Genelecs, he asked where the flux capacitor was hidden! The 4430 accepts both Dante and AES67 IP audio streams, and derives power via both PoE and PoE+ Power-over-Ethernet formats, with
the 4430’s proprietary internal power supply helping to deliver an impressive 104dB of short-term SPL, via two integral 50W Class D amplification stages feeding the woofer and tweeter. As well as receiving both power and audio-over-IP, the 4430’s single rear panel CAT connector also allows access to Genelec’s Smart IP Manager — a downloadable software
tool running on Windows 10 that allows installers to configure an almost unlimited number of rooms, zones, loudspeakers and audio channels, and includes device discovery, a versatile room equalisation tool set, system organization and status monitoring. The 4430 supports up to eight audio channels in a stream with sample rates of 32–96kHz and 16/24-bit resolution. Streams can be managed by both Dante Controller and Dante Domain Manager software, as well as legacy balanced line analogue audio. The 4430 delivers a frequency response of 45Hz–23kHz (-6 dB) via a 5-inch woofer and 3/4-inch metal dome tweeter, and the 4430’s compact, lightweight enclosure utilises Genelec’s trademark Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide technologies to ensure neutral, uncoloured sound. www.genelec.com
Nominees Adam Audio
PSI Audio
Quested
Despite their affordability, the T-series range of monitors are still based around Adam’s wellregarded Accelerated Ribbon Tweeter. The £518 (per pair inc VAT) T8V utilises a Class–D bi-amp pack providing 20W RMS to the tweeter and 70W RMS to the woofer. Adam state a pair of T8Vs can produce peak SPLs of 118dB at 1m. Balanced XLR and unbalanced phono inputs are provided, with a slide switch to select between them. A pair of three-way slide switches offering -2dB, 0dB and +2dB adjustment for both the LF and HF. When we heard these at NAMM, we felt they gave a good account of themselves given their position in the market.
The new £1867.2 (per pair exc VAT) v3 model of this classic and well-respected monitor replaces the previous externally manufactured tweeter with a specially developed driver, which is manufactured entirely in PSI Audio’s own Swiss factory. While A14-M was already popular with smaller studios and mobile applications, the new version surpasses it, especially when it comes to reproducing high frequencies. Designed to work in harmony with the full range of A series monitors, the A14-M also make ideal rear speakers in a surround sound setup or can be developed into a more powerful system by adding the A225-M sub — thus protecting your investment.
The V2104 is the latest (and smallest) model in Quested’s V-Series range of active, powered, monitors. The ported, direct radiator design utilises a 4”/100mm paper cone bass driver and a 28mm /1 1/8th” soft-dome high frequency unit. Power is derived from a 2-channel class D module, chosen primarily for its sonic performance and also for its compact dimensions, keeping the cabinet size to an absolute minimum. The diminutive size of the V2104 makes it the perfect choice for a portable monitor with the special edition MiniRedz version including a shoulder carry case. The £1,700 (per pair ex VAT) V2104 can be paired with the SB8, SB10 or QSB112 subwoofers to extend its frequency range, or create several configurations from Stereo to 5.1 surround and more.
www.adam-audio.com
www.psiaudio.swiss
www.quested.com
T8V
36 / Winter 2020
A14-M v3
V2104