Alcons Audio has released the BC272, a self-contained, medium-output cardioid subwoofer system for both permanent and portable groundstacked applications. It is designed to offer a tight and accurate sub-bass response, for low-frequency extension of any Alcons pro-ribbon system.
By means of a front and rear located woofer configuration, in combination with dedicated processing, the system offers selectable cardioid low-frequency pattern control and rear rejection, up to 42dB, without the need for additional cabinets.
One 15-inch long-excursion woofer with 4-inch voice-coil is mounted in a front-loaded configuration on the face of the enclosure, with a single 12-inch long-excursion woofer with 4-inch voice-coil, also in a front-loaded configuration, on the rear. The large bass reflex ports on the front and the rear side enable breathing capacity, maintaining overall output while minimising port-compression. The 4Ω system impedance offers a very efficient amplifier loading, enabling maximum output from a single, compact configuration.
The BC272 is powered and controlled by the ALC amplified loudspeaker controller, whose integrated processor offers BC272-specific drive processing with response optimisation, dedicated power and excursion protection and hybrid filtering. The preset library contains cardioid settings for maximum rear/side attenuation.
Through the SIS (Signal Integrity Sensing) circuit, the cable length and connector resistance between the BC272 and ALC is dynamically compensated (system damping factor >10.000), for further increased accuracy and controlled cone-travel, resulting in a tighter sub and bass response regardless of impedance or cable-length.
The relatively low weight, but rigid enclosure is available in road-version and installation (‘I’) version, without handles, wheel dolly board and M20 threaded stand mount flange. For installation applications, a single-cabinet flying option is also available. It is finished in Durotect scratch-resistant coating; Through the Architect Color Option programme, the BC272 can be finished in any RAL colour.
‘The BC272 is the most compact self-contained cardioid we offer to date,’ says Head of Alcons Audio R&D, Philip de Haan. ‘It features the same cardioid control as its larger siblings, albeit in a more compact form-factor. Our mission in the development of the BC range of cardioid subwoofers, was to obtain the highest rearward rejection possible to get a real problem solving solution instead of a “nice-to-have feature”.’
In order to achieve this, bi-amp powering configuration is used in the amplified loudspeaker controller, so dual-DSP channels would be available for the required dedicated processing .
‘Where a passive cardioid set-up will give around 18dB rejection, the BC subwoofers achieve an up-to- 42dB rearward rejection, which we believe is an industry-leading specification in this category,’ de Haan says.
A further point was to have maximum system efficiency from even smaller amplifier outputs, as part of a real compact system: ‘For this, we didn’t just take a single 8Ω woofer from a dual-driver subwoofer design, but developed a true 4Ω driver, specifically to obtain optimal amplifier loading, reducing the required amplifier size for full system response and maximum power output.
‘Together with the SIS circuit, the BC272 delivers a colourless low frequency response with outstanding directivity control, to perfectly match the ultra-low distortion, crystal-clear response of the Alcons pro-ribbon sound systems.’
More: www.alconsaudio.com
