NEW YORK – Lou Mannarino of NY-based L&M Sound & Light recently used K-array's new KR400S for a performance by The New York Philharmonic conducted by Marvin Hamlisch at New York's Avery Fisher Hall, part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts complex. The performance featured guest vocalist Idina Menzel.
Menzel received standing ovations for solos including selections from the Broadway play Wicked, Barbra Streisand, The Police, Jimmy Webb and others. Mannarino used a pair of the new K-array KR400S loudspeakers to cover the entire first tier of the 2,738-seat hall, situating them directly on the left and right side of the stage. "It was everything I hoped it would be and more," Mannarino said.
Mannarino, a live sound veteran of 30 years, had previously used K-array's KR200S loudspeakers at a variety of concert performances in and around New York City, including at the wedding of Ivanka Trump in late 2009. Since he began using K-array, he has been an important role in the company's product development cycle. "Alex [Tatini, CEO of K-array] and Francesco [Maffei, product manager of K-array] constantly invite feedback and there is a very open dialog," Mannarino noted. "They take the time and energy to call me and find out how their gear is performing, because they are passionate about getting it right."
"The KR400S recreated the natural tonality of everything Idina was doing onstage, and that's the reason it worked," said Mannarino. "I was able to keep everything open without the risk of feedback, and the directionality was constant. Whether you are in the third row or the 10th row, you want the loudspeaker system to reproduce exactly what is happening on stage."
Mannarino added that if he used a traditional P.A. system, the room would have required six mid-size line array boxes with two sub woofers, and that this would have created a very unnatural sound in the first few rows. "With the K-array, the sound dispersion is 120 degrees horizontally, and only seven degrees vertically. This allows you to reach every audience member with greater precision."
"Everything we do in audio is service driven, and it is important to be prepared with the best possible tools for the job," he concluded. "You don't expect a violinist to be changing strings or fixing cracks on his instrument in the middle of a rehearsal. The same must be true in live audio, and K-array understands this."
Made in Italy, the KR400S is an ultra-slim, two-way loudspeaker designed for small to medium wavefront systems in both mobile and installed applications. It includes two KR400 satellites and two KL21ma powered subwoofers. The KL21ma subwoofers feature a 2,500 watt, 21-inch drive unit with neodymium magnet structure and suspension, which is engineered for maximum line excursions. Its ultra-light reflex cabinet is fitted with four pocket handles and one 35 mm pole mounting point for easy installation of satellite speakers.
The KR400S also features a line array of 24 by 3-inch high efficiency neodymium magnet drivers enclosed in a strong chassis for high resistance and durability.
For more information, please visit www.k-array.com and www.sennheiserusa.com.
