Powersoft has unveiled its Mezzo amplifier platform, expressly designed for the AV/IT market. The line comprises eight models, each offering different power and connectivity options for corporate, hospitality and educational environments,
Mezzo is a self-configuring amplifier system that claims ‘unprecedented’ power and flexibility in a highly compact, class-D technology design. Mezzo addresses a range of fixed application scenarios. The system is simple to set up and can be monitored remotely, targetting integrators seeking reduced installation times and more efficient deployment of A/V staff in the field.
‘Until now, AV/IT integrators and end-users might have experienced limited flexibility in existing low power solutions to drive audio in corporate, hospitality and education environments,’ says Powersoft Product Manager, Klas Dalbjorn. ‘Our Mezzo platform delivers the quality and reliability Powersoft is known for, but with smaller power configurations that are highly adaptable for a range of different fixed installation environments. We recognise there are many system designers and integrators that seldom need more than 250W and can often make do on as little 15W on a channel – Mezzo covers these needs.’
The eight available models in the new Mezzo line cover four power bases, each offering an option with ‘A’ (analogue) or ‘AD’ (analogue-digital), which adds Dante/AES67. The power options include smaller 320W in 4x 80W and 2x 160W variants, and a larger 600W in 4x 150 or 2x 300W models. All eight models are networkable and feature automatic set-up for audio parameters, significantly reducing deployment time during installation. Further, all of the units offer load monitoring, so users can monitor system parameters such as temperature, power usage and performance over time. These parameters can be monitored and controlled via Powersoft’s own Armonía system manager, or through an external control system or a plug-in in a DSP matrix platform.
The AD models include Dante and AES67 integration, and also add an internal Gigabit Ethernet switch and a second port, meaning that multiple products can share the same network cable. This feature can convenient in a retrofit, or if the user needs to share a network connection between a projector and an amplifier, for instance.
The smaller 320W Mezzo models are able to deliver 80/160W per channel into 2Ω, 4Ω, 8Ω or 16Ω, as well as 100V, 70V or 25V. Meantime, the larger 600W models can deliver 4x 150W or 2x 300W, and can drive two 16 ohm as well as 25V, 70V or 100V. Each channel has sufficient headroom for power sharing according to the specific installation needs. This means one model can drive zones of varying sizes, and design changes can be accommodated on the fly without having to alter equipment choice.
‘The power sharing capabilities of Mezzo offer the maximum flexibility in allocating power to different channels,’ explains Powersoft Business Development Manager, Marc Kocks. ‘Many times, users can be faced with a system that has a couple very hungry loudspeakers, and then one or two in adjacent areas that don’t require as much power. Mezzo will automatically recognize high impedance and low impedance loads and configure the system to accommodate these variances. This means greater power efficiency and significantly less set-up time.’
Mezzo’s installation options include rackmount accessories to fit two units into a standard 19-inch rack, or a single unit in a 11-inch compact rack. Alternatively, a unit can stand alone on rubber feet in a credenza or be mounted on the wall – behind a video screen, for instance. The unit is ultra-quiet and requires no ventilation and can therefore be used in dusty environments, under a desk or in locations where an audio closet may not available. Further, in terms of performance, Mezzo also delivers enough power to drive many subwoofers. This potentially means a significant space savings in locations that will no longer require 19-inch racks.
‘Many fixed installation environments these days consist of both analogue and digital,’ Kocks continues. ‘Mezzo is perfect for these environments, since it can accommodate inputs on both analog and digital. Further, each Mezzo can be set up as a decentralised unit, enabling each unit to be part of a larger system with local feeds from Dante network. This can lead to massive cost savings in cabling expenses as well as significantly increased monitoring and control functionality. A user can retain full control over features as if it was a centralised rig.’
Mezzo is priced starting from US$915 MSRP.
More: www.powersoft-audio.com
