Finnish loudspeaker manufacturer Aura Audio is using Powersoft’s M-Force electromagnetic conversion principle to power its XD30 subwoofer, which was used at the recent high-profile Colors dance festival at Kaapelitehdas in Helsinki, one of the largest EDM events in Scandinavia.
‘We started working with it immediately [following ProLight & Sound 2013], so that by Frankfurt this year we were able to present our own M-Force product, the XD30 subwoofer,’ says Aura Audio MD, Mika Isotalo.
M-Force is an innovative transducer based on a patented moving magnet linear motor structure, offering higher power handling, electromagnetic conversion, reliability and maximum SPL when compared to a conventional moving-coil and cone arrangements. Driven by the M-Drive amp module, the M-Force motor is the result of years of FEM magnetic and mechanical simulations, while Powersoft’s Differential Pressure Control (DPC) creates further performance enhancing active control.
‘As a loudspeaker manufacturer focusing on acoustics and new loading techniques we already had a new patented enclosure design which we had been using with different cone drivers for several years. When we saw M-Force we immediately thought it would be good for more compressed loading because of that huge motor strength.
‘A single XD30 is able to produce more than 150dB peak SPL in floor and we used four of those in two by two end-fire configuration so we were hitting average of 140dB at 10m. Low frequency cut of is around 30Hz, but it does go lower than that if necessary.
To date, the system has been heard by dance music fans at such events as DBTL Festival in Turku, Helsinki Pride and Raumarock Festival in Rauma and others. ‘The reaction from pretty much everyone has been one of positive surprise,’ Isotalo says. ‘They have all been impressed by the size to SPL, the fast transient response and effortless infra bass.’
Aura Audio purchased their first Powersoft X8 amplifiers recently, specifically to drive the top end of its rig: ‘X8 represents an unparalleled package of DSP and power, and it sounds very natural and clear,’ Isotalo says.
At the Colors Festival, the system comprised Aura Audio’s A2 line array, with six elements per side and six as a delay line to carry sound over 100m to the back of the hall, powered by the X8, fitted with OEM preset libraries. Further A1 point source cabinets were used as front fills.
Finland’s nightclub owners are also catching on to the new technology: ‘We expect to see some new ones using M-Force in the future –in Finland and beyond,’ says Isotalo. ‘I think M-Force open up new ways to make high power subwoofers and coupled with DPC and endless power capabilities of Powersoft amps we´re able to make a new reference for high-end subwoofers in both SPL dynamics and sound reproduction accuracy.’
