L-Acoustics expands L Series

The L1 – and its companion cardioid subwoofer, the CS1 – have been added to L-Acoustics’ L Series. Built on the manufacturer’s patented Progressive Ultra-Dense Line Source (PULS) technology, the L1 reportedly achieves a categorically higher concentration of transducers in an efficient form factor. Each enclosure integrates two 18-inch low-cardioid (LC) transducers side-mounted for frontal energy and rear rejection, four front-facing 15-inch low-frequency drivers, eight 8-inch mid-frequency drivers and six coaxial 4-inch + 2.5-inch HF compression drivers. This HF coaxial configuration, new to the L Series, increases SPL and long-throw capabilities. The result is a maximum SPL of 160dB per enclosure, across a full bandwidth of 35Hz–20 kHz. The companion wide vertical coverage L1D element matches this transducer architecture with a progressive 60° vertical coverage pattern for nearfield zones, achieving 155dB SPL.

The CS1 features four 21-inch transducers in a cardioid topology, delivers peak SPL up to 150dB and extends bandwidth down to 25Hz. A new-generation Autofilter algorithm works within L-Acoustics Soundvision software to shape the low-frequency beam of an L1 array to reportedly match – or even surpass – the low-frequency control of a much longer conventional professional sound system of equivalent power, down to 20Hz, with no added latency. The result is said to be greater tonal balance stability across the venue and noticeably less low-frequency spread from front to back.

Horizontal directivity is managed by two Panflex modules per enclosure, offering 70° and 90° symmetrical patterns plus an 80° asymmetrical mode. The L1D extends options to 110° or 70° symmetrical and 90° asymmetrical for nearfield coverage. Vertical control is built into the pre-shaped progressive geometry of the L1, with 0.8° inter-element coupling for long-throw formats and 5° for complex audience profiles.

Meanwhile, the manufacturer has also released Source Intelligence, a proprietary voice-separation technology that delivers clearer, more intelligible vocals for live performances. Running as an exclusive licensed application on the L-ISA Processor II and fully integrated in the L-Acoustics system workflow, Source Intelligence gives front-of-house engineers mixing on an L-Acoustics PA a tool to clean up vocals from noisy stages and allow performers to move freely across any stage configuration, including in front of the PA, without risking feedback or sacrificing vocal clarity.

Source Intelligence uses machine learning to continuously identify the voice in a microphone signal and remove everything else. PA bleed, crowd noise, stage instruments room reverb can all be stripped away in real time, leaving a cleaner, more natural-sounding vocal. The result is a vocal that “preserves the natural tone, character and intelligibility of the source”. The technology also reduces feedback risk by eliminating the PA bleed and ambient noise that cause it, rather than reacting after it starts.