dSPEC226 loudspeaker processor unveiled after three-year development

Having already been described by product manager Chris Barrow as ‘re-defining Community’s approach to sound reinforcement for the foreseeable future,’ it employs both SHARC DSP and Xilinx Spartan FPGA processing.

The manufacturer has hailed the dSPEC226 as representing ‘an all new approach to configuring, controlling, and commissioning sound system installations, from very small to very large’. Among the features helping to deliver on that claim is 4-input by 6-output fixed-chain DSP architecture that includes 2x6 native analogue I/Os. Expansion cards are also available to provide additional analogue inputs, two AES3 dual-channel digital inputs or eight CobraNet inputs and outputs. More expansion cards are promised to cope with emerging networking protocols.

The manufacturer is also highlighting the processor’s ease of use, with users able to select from a library of Community loudspeakers before allowing the dSPEC226 to automatically assign factory-recommended lo-pass and hi-pass filters, corrective equalisation (including 1000-points of FIR EQ via CONEQ), protective limiters, phase compensation and more. The processor can also configure LF and HF outputs with optimal crossover slopes for bi-amplified loudspeaker models.

Loudspeakers not manufactured by Community can be controlled via a palette of processing functions including crossover types, protective limiters, and 20 configurable filters on each output channel.

The manufacturer has also launched its Forecaster HD Ceiling Distributed System Design Software – a graphical engineering tool for calculating loudspeaker layout and density in ceiling distributed systems.

Forecaster HD is designed to help systems designers select the proper models and quantities of Community ceiling loudspeakers for a wide range of ceiling distributed applications based on user input of room dimensions and listening height. The program compensates for sloped ceilings and seating areas, and individual loudspeakers can be moved to avoid physical barriers in a room. The resulting designs can be saved, recalled and shared, and users can compare the results of using different loudspeaker models, densities and layout patterns to achieve the desired performance and coverage goals.

The software is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, and can be downloaded free of charge from Community’s website.

Lastly, the manufacturer has announced that its R.5 weather-resistant loudspeakers are now available in white. All R.5 models, including the short throw, two-way R.5Z, the medium throw, three-way R.5HP, the full range, two-way R.5Coax and the R.5sub 12-inch subwoofer, are now available in a choice of black, white or the original grey finish.

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