Audio Insiders: QSC Loudspeakers?
Now for something completely different
The buzz surrounding QSC’s announcement that it has officially thrown its hat into the loudspeaker ring generally begs one question: Will the company, which is best known for its amplifiers and DSP control technologies, actually deliver a product that is genuinely new and different?
WIDESPREAD DISBELIEF
Industry gadflies and observers skeptical of such a prospect delight in pointing out that as first seen in public on tour with Melissa Etheridge, the initial product offerings from the Costa Mesa, California-based manufacturer utilize designs developed by ACE (Audio Composite Engineering).
Located in Escondido, California, just an hour’s drive south of QSC world headquarters, ACE was founded by Ross Ritto and David Shadoan, pro audio veterans who ar e also the driving forces behind Sound Image, a sound company which lists the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Brian Wilson, and Vince Gill on its client roster.
In forming a strategic alliance with QSC earlier this year, Ritto and Shadoan signed over the distribution rights of all existing ACE products to QSC, which, in turn, has given its own branding to the entire line. Included among these loudspeaker products are the ACE 1250, ACE 1160, and ACE 500 Series loudspeakers, all of which are enclosed in lightweight carbon fiber enclosures. These products serve as the cornerstone from which the strategic alliance will grow.
While QSC’s initial loudspeaker debut may not be marked with apocalyptic thunder aimed at turning the market on its ear right out of the gate, the near future seems well worth watching. QSC is known for its penchant for bold R&D and bleeding-edge production capabilities.
Certain QSC loudspeaker prototypes have already resulted from this newly-forged alliance with ACE. Self-powered and DSP-based, these products take a “systems” approach to sound reinforcement, and are being tested within real-world applications.
ENGLISH SPEAKS
“One of our objectives in entering the loudspeaker market is to bring dedicated products to high-end corporate and industrial clients,” QSC’s touring and live sound market manager Brian English relates. “Typically, we’re still seeing sound companies shoehorning boxes designed for touring into these applications, with less than desirable results. It’s a losing equation because of time and space.
“The systems aren’t the right size, and in the fast-paced world of corporate gigs, they simply take too long to set up to make the events truly profitable. Our first generation of new self-contained loudspeaker systems will specifically address these issues with plug-and-play simplicity, plus all the performance of a touring rig, minus the oversized footprint.”
QSC’s new systems approach to sound reinforcement will be software-controlled with intuitive drag ‘n’ drop architecture, based around a Powered-system Core Module (PCM) housing sub-bass transducer elements. Complete system amplification, and comprehensive DSP processing capabilities are a given. Designed for use with other new modular QSC loudspeaker components, the PCM can also be integrated with virtually any other two or three-way enclosure.
“One of the things about entering the loudspeaker business that excites us most is that it gives us the ability to leverage technology and optimize the value offering for our customers,” QSC CEO Barry Andrews adds. “By selling loudspeakers, we’ll gain greater insight into applications, as well as future technical and business trends.
“All of this will additionally make it easier for us to provide higher levels of support, because now we can supply complete systems. We’ve worked a long time with a relatively narrow focus, and done well. This new challenge comes with its fair share of risk, but overall it’s proving to be a powerful stimulant to the company as a whole.”
September/October 2001 Live Sound International