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Spectr Audio SPX 1534s, SPX218T Subs and AP28s
Written by Bill Evans
I have this one annual gig in the LA area that I should really give up. But I like the people, and the nature of the event lends itself to trying new gear, so it is a great Road Test opportunity. In fact, in the five years I have been doing the gig I don t think we have used the same speaker system once. This year, the boys at Spectr Audio got the call. After going back and forth a few times on the requirements of the gig, we agreed on a configuration.
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New Rep Firm
July 29 2008 - San Francisco, CA - Spectr Audio has singed a contract with a new rep firm, TRACAN LLC. The principals of the firm, Tracy Tippet and Tom Wright, both have extensive experience and knowledge in pro audio and technology sales, and are a great addition to the Spectr Audio team. Joining in a time of growth and expansive new product development, the TRACAN team plans to expand the brand further in the domestic market, as well as assist in the development on innovative new dealer programs.

Tracy Tippet - president of TRACAN - is a veteran Sales Representative with over twenty years of background in sales, marketing and board level responsibilities, managing sales organizations as varied as start-ups to the Fortune 500, with triple digit growth being a standard level of performance. He has worked in the past with pro audio brands like JBL and Teac, as well as tech firms specializing in wireless and video technology.

Tom Wright - VP of TRACAN -helped start Dean Markley Strings as well as Tube Works, and has since then pioneered sales and development for several other pro audio and technology brands specializing in high-speed wireless communication. His music industry experience ranges more than 40 years with a focus on sales and sales force development. Brining a great body of knowledge and experience to the table, Mr. Wright is a great addition to the Spectr Audio team.

The new firm will represent Spectr Audio primarily in Arizona, Clark County - Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. TRACAN LLC will also address inquiries from Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Dealer Portal
Spectr Audio has introduced a new Dealer Portal to the website. The Portal is designed to provide the dealers with all necessary support and sales materials. Important news bulletins pertaining to the dealer network will also be posted here. The Portal can be accessed using login information provided by your Rep or Spectr Audio, and it features things like:

Updated price sheets
Product Photos
Dealer exclusive training materials
Web assets such as logos
PDF version of the catalog

The portal will be updated regularly with new training materials, and photos. If you are a Spectr Audio dealer and have not received your login information, please contact your Rep, or Spectr Audio directly at sales@spectraudio.com.

"Baked Potato" Installation

Studio City, CA - MAY 16, 2008 - For musicians and jazz fans, the best part of Studio City has nothing to do with movies and everything to do with baked potatoes. Across HWY 101 from Universal City sits a small venue that houses a huge sound system and hosts the biggest names in jazz, fusion, and rock. The Backed Potato is a legendary venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in music, in a relatively small space.

Because of the small size and unique shape of the venue, the initial installation was a bit tricky and there have been several additions and rearrangements over the years.

The first batch of loudspeakers consisted of 5 SPX-1528 satellites, 2 SPX-115 subs and a pair of USS3's as floor monitors. Later, a pair of SCO82's was attached to the ceiling above the stage as additional monitors. Since the small stage sometimes houses as many as 8 musicians, the latest round of upgrades included 2 AP26's up top for additional monitors, and 2 ultra-compact AP212 subwoofers on the floor.

Proprietors Justin and Don Randi agree that this is by far the best system they have ever had. Since the initial installation in 2005, the system has been pushed to its limits nightly, and has performed flawlessly the whole time.

In our humble option, this installation has been a real testament not only to the quality, but also to the longevity of Spectr Audio cabinets.

Innovative new 3-way Stage Monitors - the M Series
Seal Beach, California - May 20, 2008 - Spectr Audio released 2 innovative 3-way stage monitors this week: the SPX-153M and the SPX-123M. The monitor consists of a 12" or 15" LF driver, and an 8" coaxial MF driver with an 80° conical horn and a 1.7" compression driver. Intended for rugged tour use, the cabinet is constructed of 18mm Baltic birch, has ergonomic handles, and is built to withstand the abuse of the road.

The true 3-way design of the M Series monitors allows each driver to work in its optimal range, which further improves sound quality. Another notable aspect of the M Series configuration is that the most information heavy part of the spectrum - 400Hz-20kHz - is delivered with single-point source clarity from the coaxially mounted 8" driver and 1.7" compression driver.

Furthermore, the M Series features a unique built in crossover network which, when in bi-amp mode splits the HF diver to one channel and combines the LF and MF drivers to another channel at 4Ohm. This is a very practical approach, since it allows the user to control the parameters of the HF driver with fewer resources in addition to getting more performance from their power amplifiers.

Redesigned Coaxial Cabinets - the SCO Series

Seal Beach, California - June 10, 2008 - Spectr Audio has released an updated and expanded version of the SCO Coaxial line. The model line consists of 4 cabinets, the SCO82, 102, 112 and 115. Each feature an 8, 10, 12, or 15 inch woofer and a compression driver with a 1" throat, a 1.7" voice coil and titanium diaphragm. The coaxial driver has an 80° conical pattern.

With 12 integral mounting points the SCO line is ideal for many installation applications. But because of their unique shape, the SCO models can also be used as a stage monitors. The new design includes a more ergonomic and sleek shape, more compact dimensions, and a new handle. The new design also includes such details as threaded mounting holes for rubber feet, for when the cabinet is used as a stage monitor. The rubber feet are included in the box and can be attached by the end user if necessary.

The real deal with Polypropylene - SM series

Quality Construction:

The SpectrMAX^TM series may look ordinary in photos, but unlike most other plastic cabinets on the market, this polypropylene enclosure is assembled in the US and fitted with great sounding, high-quality components like:

A compression driver with a 2" titanium diaphragm
A high-quality, American made, LF driver
A crossover, hand made in California from American components.

New Solutions:

This unique cabinet is incredibly inexpensive, yet rivals many wooden enclosures in sound quality and caliber of construction. The combination of sound quality and low price provides a new set of solutions for many mobile and installation systems.

The SM is perfect for distribution in the retail sector. These low-weight, high-output cabinets can comfortably fit into your client's budget without compromising sound quality.

Contractors can also benefit by using the SM. It's low weight allows for faster and safer rigging, and the high output will be enough for any situation, even outdoor events.

Rental companies can also benefit from using the SM, as it is an inexpensive alternative to the lower quality industry standards. Perfect for most "user operated" systems, the polypropylene used in these enclosures is calibrated to withstand serious shock, increasing its longevity, along with your profits.

The all-new SPX-1534N: Heavy Duty Sound - Lightweight Cabinet
Spectr Audio introduces its latest innovation, the SPX-1534N. The SPX-1534N replaces the SPX-1524 in the SPX family but with a significant weight reduction and completely redesigned enclosure and upgraded components.

This two-way, full range loudspeaker consists of two 15" woofers, with high-energy Neodymium magnet assemblies and a 3" compression driver with a titanium diaphragm, housed in a calibrated Baltic birch enclosure. This combination results in a high fidelity, full-range loudspeaker with an output of 1000 Watts RMS and a weight of only 88lbs.

The SPX-1534N features an 80°x 60°convertible aluminum horn with 1.4" throat. The 80°horizontal coverage ensures ample signal dispersion when a single unit is used and when converted the 60°horizontal dispersion insures that two or more units can be arrayed with no interference. In addition, when the unit is flown (in a cluster or solo) converting the horn delivers extensive 80°vertical signal dispersion allowing for greater coverage and ample down fill.

The calibrated birch enclosure also adds to the performance of the SPX-1534N. Designed to be very minimal, this trapezoidal enclosure is just wide enough to fit the 15" woofers and is very compact overall. The enclosure has strategically placed cross-braces, which ensure a very rigid and durable cabinet. The enclosure has 12 integral mounting points and comes with a hard textured paint or our GigArmor^TM polyurethane coating.

This model also has a built-in crossover network that divides the signal at 1.4KHz. This crossover (much like all other Spectr Audio components) is made of the highest-grade materials, and is assembled at our plant in California.

The SPX-1534N has very low distortion, even reproduction across a wide frequency range, and delivers an uncompromised low-frequency response. This unit is suited for use as a front of house loudspeaker in a variety of applications but is also well suited as fill (especially when flown with the horn converted, yielding 80° vertical coverage). The rich low-end reproduced by the SPX-1534N eliminates the need for a subwoofer in certain applications. In addition to a low weight of only 88lbs and wide angle of dispersion it is perfectly suited for mobile applications.

A new compact solution - ArenaPro^TM
Spectr Audio, Inc. introduces its latest series: ArenaPro^TM. This new line of compact cabinets has an impressive power-to-size ratio and a sleek form-factor that replaces larger, bulky cabinets in many installation and mobile applications.

ArenaPro^TM cabinets use neodymium LF transducers and HF compression drivers with a 90° x 60° convertible horn. The geometry of its design allows ArenaPro^TM to be arranged into a cluster, with the horns converted, yielding 120° coverage with 2 units, and full 180° coverage with 3 units.

With vertical and horizontal mounting options, multiple integral flying points, optional U-bracket, and custom colors, the ArenaPro^TM offers a new dimension of flexibility for both mobile and installed systems.

Small box, HUGE BASS - AP212
Spectr Audio introduces the low frequency part of the ArenaPro^TM series, the AP212. This unique, front loaded subwoofer is ultra compact, yet boasts an impressive 1200W RMS power handling (2400W Continuous). With a height of only 16.5 inches (419mm) it can fit under any stage. Much like our larger touring subs (SPX-215T and SPX-218T), the AP212 has a unique rail system: the removable rails ensure that the subs do not move when stacked, as well as help protect it from damage. The rails can be easily replaced when worn down.