New Products
Ashly Audio Launches New Subwoofer for Various Environments
Ashly Audio, the Webster, N.Y.-based company of sound reinforcement technology, launched a new addition to its compact and robust subwoofer line. Called the SP-8.1P Passive Subwoofer, it comes with 150w handling power. It thus provides sound systems with extra power in a variety of environments. The company also states that it comes in an 8-inch package.
“With the addition of the 8-inch subwoofer to our SP Series, we enable sound system integrators to tailor unique audio experiences to their customers,” says Noel Larson, EVP of sales and marketing at Ashly Audio. He underscores that its compact size allows for installations in areas unfit for a larger subwoofer.
Larson continues, “We stand by our commitment to create complete and integrated solutions for everyone — from storefronts and restaurants, to houses of worship and schools — and the addition of the SP-8.1P offers possibility for more installations in more places.”
Features of the SP-8.1P
The new SP-8.1P handles up to 150W at 8 Ohms. It also has a sensitivity of 95dB (1W@1m) and a frequency response of 43Hz-180Hz (-10dB). According to the company, this provides audiences with powerful audio experiences.
The subwoofers DSP voice presets also provide frequency response tailoring, delay and crossover settings with Ashly’s IS & AW speakers with AquaControl and Protea-equipped processors. Ashly suggests pairing the subwoofer with its nXp 400 or higher or Pêma 4125, 4250, 8125, 8250 amplifiers. This will then enable maximum effect.
Per a statement, Ashly designed the new SP-8.1P subwoofers with a dynamic 8-inch woofer with ferrite magnet, front loaded into a bass-reflex and a 0.6″ reinforced plywood enclosure. It also has two recessed handles, one on either side. Additionally, it has rubber feet on the bottom and side. This allows for quick setup of transporting and stacking the sound system. For more flexibility, integrators can hang the system the subwoofer with the SP-8.1P’s 10mm threaded bolt holes along the top, sides and rear to accommodate optional hanging eye-bolts.
Larson then states that Ashly’s mission is providing customers with high-quality audio. Thus, extending its line of dynamic range passive subwoofers allows integrators to provide powerful sound in compact spaces. He concludes, “With the new 8-inch passive subwoofer, our customers have more flexibility than ever before.”
The subwoofer line is now available with a textured paint finish in both black or white for nearly all installations.
Bluefin Unveils All-in-One Digital Signage Platform
Bluefin International, prominent for innovative digital signage solutions, announced a new product category based on the Rockchip platform. Per the Atlanta, Ga.-based company, the R Series is a cutting-edge digital signage platform that offers users a host of operating systems. These include Android 10, Debian 10, Linux, and more.
“The R Series suite of all-in-one displays creates new possibilities within Bluefin’s core line-up. Integration into multiple screen sizes, form factors, and the ability to customize sets us apart. We see these displays going into retail and hospitality venues, or into point-of-purchase fixtures,” says Randy Guy, owner of Bluefin International. “The dual CPU delivers powerful performance and offers crisp graphics to enhance the customer experience. The comprehensive open-source platform offers developers the flexibility and the freedom to design in their preferred CMS or OS.”
The R Series comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 10.1 inches to 43.0 inches. The options include interactive touch, Wi-Fi, and PoE (power over Ethernet). The R Series also comes with standard inputs/outputs that include Micro-SD, USB, Phoenix GPIO, RJ45, and analog/digital out. As with all of Bluefin’s products, there are a multitude of customizable features.
For more information about this digital signage solution, please visit the Bluefin website.
Audio Visual Projects
The University of Central Florida Knights upgraded its baseball stadium, John Euliano Park, just ahead of the 2022 season. The centerpiece of the stadium’s renovation is an EMPIRE Exterior LED video scoreboard manufactured by N.Y.-based SNA Displays.
“So far everyone has been really excited and positive [about the videoboard]. We were in need of a major upgrade and this has been a great addition that our fans have loved so far,” remarks UCF baseball head coach Greg Lovelady. He adds, “Facilities are always a big part of the recruiting process and comes into how the ballpark looks, the experience the players get, and how it affects our crowd.” Other recent enhancements to the ballpark include upper-deck seating, dugout enhancements, and a new sound system.
The ballpark’s new LED videoboard is 22 feet and 10-inches high and 35 feet and 8-inches wide. It is positioned just beyond the fence in right-centerfield. The display also employs a 10 mm pixel pitch. Additionally, it comes with a resolution of 696 x 1,088 pixels. This gives the 815-square-foot video screen more than 750,000 total pixels.
American & Interstate Signcrafters, which has key locations in Florida and New York, installed the digital display.
“It’s always a challenge when taking down existing signage and retrofitting a new display to the existing structure,” says Nick Gioia, project manager for SNA Displays. “But we had a great team of engineers, inspectors, and installers to make it work. During installation, we also had to deal with daily batting practice while working in the outfield – bombs away!”
People and Places
Clear-Com Appoints Kris Koch to Business Development Director
Alameda, Calif.-based Clear-Com appointed Kris Koch to business development director, Broadcast Network & Media Production for Clear-Com. In this new role, Koch will be the acting sales lead for major U.S. broadcast networks. He will also serve as the main point of contact for national U.S. broadcast systems integrators.
“Our broadcast sales have always been a huge part of our business, and now media production in TV and Film has grown considerably in the last couple of years,” commented Chris Willis, Clear-Com’s VP of Sales. “Kris’ knowledge and career experience in both these fields will lend itself greatly to these linked areas of focus.”
Koch started at Clear-Com in 2018 as a Regional Sales Manager for the Southwest U.S. Here, he successfully grew sales and built partner relationships in the region.
Koch has also held several senior sales and engineering positions within the broadcast and live events sector. Prior to joining Clear-Com, he was director of Engineering at MediaOne. In this role, he designed and built a new facility with two studios. He also managed broadcast operations for AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Additionally, his experience includes time at Key Code Media and at Sonic Solutions.
“In my time here at Clear-Com I have had the opportunity to work with great partners and amazing customers. Clear-Com has a rich history of success with our broadcast partners and I’m excited to carry on that tradition,” remarks Koch. “I believe my experience in sports and news broadcasting as well as my time working with top system integrators will be helpful as I continue to grow and learn.”
ASG Announces Michele Ferreira as Vice President of Systems Integration and Support
Emeryville, Calif.-based Advanced Systems Group (ASG), a solutions provider for media creatives and content owners, announced the appointment of Michele Ferreira as Vice President of Systems Integration and Support. In the newly created position, Ferreira is responsible for overall management of the company’s design, integration, and technical services.
Ferreira comes to ASG with extensive experience leading successful teams at systems integration firms and technology providers. Her last position was the VP of Sales at the international audiovisual and technology services company Electrosonic. She has also held similar titles at NES Associates, VBrick Systems and Audio Video Systems.
“I’m excited to be part of such a dynamic and forward-looking team,” says Ferreira. “I am thrilled to support the customers of our systems integration and professional services divisions, while leveraging our experience designing cloud-based infrastructure and the managed services side of our business. By connecting the different sides of ASG’s business, we can offer a more thorough and beneficial approach to the media and entertainment community.”
The potential to innovate and learn more about media technology drew Ferreira to ASG. She continues, “I’ve always selected jobs in which I’m learning. The availability of cloud-based workflows and microservices open up the ability to ‘broadcast’ to include many different types of content creators, from corporations to schools, to smaller live event producers. You name it. I’m excited to be at the center of the future of broadcast.”
Dave Van Hoy, ASG President, met Ferreira while she was with Electrosonic, and the two vowed they’d work together someday. He states, “She brings a great passion for this industry as well as leading a very successful, global business. I’m confident she’ll grow ASG into an even better company for our team and our customers.”
