This year’s InfoComm saw Italian amplification giant Powersoft undertake the US release of its new X Series amps. Described as ‘a system tool that integrates enormous amounts of functionality, generally only found in separate outboard units,’ the X Series is available in two versions – the eight-channel X8 and four-channel 2U – with both capable of delivering up to 5200W @ 2 ohms per channel.
Shortly after the show, Powersoft marketing and communication manager Francesco Fanicchi spoke to Commercial Integrator Europe about the impetus for the new range and its suitability for a wide range of integration projects…
In a nutshell… why is the X Series so significant a launch in terms of the general pro-amplifier landscape?
Powersoft constantly invests in new technology development and from this came the X Series. Put simply, the X Series is the next generation of amplifiers, the perfect answer to both rental staging and installation requirements. For the first time in the industry, a product integrates all the elements that can typically be found in a touring rack: an amplifier, a processor, a matrix, a power distribution unit and a patch bay. Another major innovative element is the truly universal power supply. It allowed us to solve a critical issue for rental companies by removing the need to know what kind of power supply or generator will be available at the venue. X Series can work in three-phase (star or delta), dual-phase or single phase by auto-balancing the load on the different phases and adapting, even during the operation, to the external conditions of electrical mains.
In terms of mid-sized installations, which product in the new range is most suitable – and why?
Powersoft X Series consists of two models: X8 (eight channels in a 2U chassis), and X4 (four channels in a single rack unit). They share the same power density, being capable of delivering up to 5200W @ 2 ohms per channel, and they have some unusual features which make them more than suitable for the mid-sized installations, such as the physical size, low power consumption, digital input (AES3), redundant Audio Over IP (Dante Networking) and fully remote control.
The physical dimension of the amplifiers offers the possibility of reducing the size of the equipment room or of installing the amplifiers in a more distributed way in order to reduce the length and the size of the cables.
Even if the power consumption has always been considered a minor factor, this element is growing terms of importance because system integrators have started making installs more profitable over time.
The true potential of the X8 and X4 lies within its flexibility. They give system integrators the power to completely manipulate and direct the audio signal. The input can be mixed in any way that integrators see fit through different levels of routing across the 8 x 8 matrix, comprising native AES3, two redundant Dante streams and analogue inputs, totalling four selectable sources per channel. Users can also assign a bus priority to each input, thereby guarding against faults.
Local control is gained via WiFi broadcast from the machine itself to connect to the user’s portable devices, while the main parameter set-up has been integrated into Armonía Pro Audio Suite, the software for control and monitoring of the full range of Powersoft’s products.
How important a show is InfoComm for Powersoft and which overall audio trends at this show would you highlight?
InfoComm has become the most important show in the US for professional audio companies, and as a European manufacturer with a direct presence in the US it is extremely important to put our local organisation in contact with the largest number of operators and spread the word about our direct presence with dedicated and local personnel in the US.
In terms of overall trends, this latest InfoComm did not reveal much that was new — probably the only thing worth mentioning is the wide spread of Dante adopters that this show highlighted, with products covering the entire audio path, from microphone to amplifiers and loudspeakers through processors and consoles.
This was also demonstrated by 20 of the leading manufacturers in the AV industry, included Powersoft, that took part at the AV Networking World (AVNW) educational seminar and training workshop.
