Game-Changing Installed Audio Design: JBL Pro Application Engineered (AE) Loudspeakers

Ben Todd

Identifying the optimal solution for any installed audio project, requires a range of important considerations. Understanding the client’s specific needs and budget constraints is crucial. This involves a thorough analysis of the acoustic environment and the intended application.

Secondly, the system design should be carefully considered, ensuring it is tailored to meet these needs and is compatible with the existing infrastructure.

Thirdly, the selection of components, including the manufacturer and models, plays a significant role in the overall performance and reliability of the system.

Lastly, staying abreast of the latest audio technologies can provide additional options to ensure a world-class audio experience.

In Part One of this discussion, we talked with Ben Todd, JBL Pro Senior Application Engineer, to gain some of his deep insight, drawing on many years of advising integrators and distributors on how to select the right audio components for a variety of installed audio projects. While there are many solutions to consider, Ben shared his experiences advising on JBL Pro’s Application Engineered (AE) Series family of installed loudspeakers and subwoofers. AE Series products were built to solve many issues and suit many applications. They can also be used in a wide variety of spaces and locations, from live venues and sports facilities to theatrical sound and hospitality applications. We had a few more questions for Ben, regarding some of the more technical aspects of the Series.

Ben, how do AE Series components perform when it comes to voicing, accuracy, and coverage level?
Good question. All AE Series models are voiced and equipped with highly-researched JBL waveguide and driver technology that ensures seamless integration with all other AE Series models and our reference-class VTX Series line array and subwoofer performance audio products.

Constant Directivity Waveguides feature JBL’s progressive transmission technology, delivering very even response , both on and off-axis. AE loudspeakers offer  a wide range of coverage patterns to allow optimal  matching of the sound system to the intricate environmental acoustics  of the venue. Highlights include rotatable waveguides that allow vertical or horizontal mounting options; wider dispersion models for wide audience areas and front-fill use in venues and theatres; and models with narrower waveguides for longer-throw requirements or reverberant spaces.

The AE Series ASB6118 Subwoofer is ideal for low-frequency sound reinforcement in performing arts facilities, houses of worship, live clubs, and similar venues.

Highly accurate and potent transducers feature many patented JBL driver technologies. These allow us to deliver sonic performance that you don’t expect and don’t typically experience with similar systems of their size.

JBL V5 tunings are now also available for the AE Series. We comprehensively re-measured the speakers and gradually developed preset files for each one to optimise phase, frequency, and pattern control behaviour. Where appropriate, these tunings use FIR filters to ensure maximum transparency. The result is a range re-born and the difference is compelling. AE models have always offered excellent acoustic design, but the new tuning files take them to another level.

In addition to the improvement in performance, V5 tunings also allow many of these speakers to be configured using Performance Manager software, allowing simple control, optimisation, and integration with our VTX Series products.

What are some of the best strategies for maximizing ROI when it comes to the AE Series?
Because AE models do not require the additional flying hardware or the road-ready ruggedness of the VTX Series, there is also significant financial savings when using them in installed environments.

Discover how JBL AE Series speakers were a critical component for the success of this restaurant and nightlife installation.

AE Series products may be specialist tools for creating bespoke installs, but they do so without the cost and challenges of special-ordered custom models. JBL products also typically maintain one of the longest service lifetimes in the industry, which means less chance of downtime for repairs.

While these markets are not served well by a ‘one-size fits all’ solution, often a truly custom design comes with an unrealistic cost, without being able to offer the performance of a product that has been thoroughly researched and developed. However, by focusing on customer requirements and selecting the correct and specific AE series models, we can delight the client with spectacular sonic fidelity and uncompromising support that sounds and feels like a system perfectly tailored to their needs.

JBL AE Series AC25, AC26 and AC28/26 are ideal for serving a variety of compact and ultra-compact requirements with high-performance specifications.

Are their questions your clients often ask to identify the right products?
Sure, I get this one quite often: ‘Why do you offer both the AE Series and VTX Series ranges – isn’t one premium line suitable?’

Our VTX Series remains our reference point for the limits of what can currently be achieved in loudspeaker acoustics. This range is formed around our next-gen touring line array products and some of our most innovative driver innovations.

The AE Series is our premium, point source, installation product range. By combining AE models loaded with the latest tunings with our VTX systems, the designer and installer have a wide palette of options that come together to create venues where everything is the right size, price, and behaviour to deliver something that delights the audience and the venue owner.

Ben, can you share some recent use case stories where the AE Series made an impact?
Definitely. Globally, the AE Series is one of our most specified installed audio lineups so there are plenty to choose from. Here are some excerpts from our Case Study showcase:

  • St. James Guernsey – Channel Islands
    • Challenge: The staff at St. James Guernsey, a multi-arts venue located on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, set about converting a 200 year-old church into a venue that could attract top acts to the island. Having a quality sound system was at the top of their list.

    • Learn more about the St. James Guernsey Multi-Arts Venue on the Channel Islands, featuring VTX A8 line arrays and AE Compact Series loudspeakers.

      Impact:

      • “We were lucky to work closely with the HARMAN team to design, spec and install a VTX A8 system with AE Compact Series models for delay and front fills. With the help of HARMAN’s team we quickly got up to speed delivering amazing sounding nights.”
      • “Trying to attract top line talent to an island of 64,000 people is not easy. Logistics dictate its very difficult to bring their normal set ups, so they need to be confident that what we have will deliver the quality they are used to, something the A8 system easily achieves. We now regularly welcome big names bands like Dodgy and Sleeper and comedians like Dara O’Brien and Al Murray. Whether its thumping bass for Goldie and Chali2na (Jurassic 5), or absolute precision for incredible jazz musicians like Jackson Mathod and Myele Manzanza, the rig has it covered and is an essential asset when convincing artists to undertake an adventure to our little island.”

 

  • Hope Church – North America
      • Challenge: The church’s technical staff wondered how a different speaker configuration could benefit the worship experience with improved impact and clarity while retaining an intimate feel.
      • Impact: “There are huge improvements noticed by everyone we have talked to,” said Tim Kanter, Director of Audio, Hope Church. “The biggest system improvements include more clarity, punch, better sound at lower SPL levels, with a lot less sound on stage.”

 

  • YeonCheon Sureul Art Hall – South Korea
    • Challenge: The venue houses both a 580-seat grand concert hall and a smaller 166-capacity concert hall. Organizers wanted an audio system that evenly transmitted sound… and provided impactful performances for shows of all genres.
    • Impact: “This solution provides total coverage with clear, smooth sound throughout the facility and a sound pressure deviation of just +/- 2.5 dB across all seats,” said a spokesperson.

 

  • hmv 363 Oxford Street Retail Store – United Kingdom
    • Challenge: hmv turned to JBL Professional to deliver prestige audio for all the shop floors and the hmv live performance stage.

    • “The combination of JBL’s highly evolved and different speaker designs have worked together in one space to create a very engaging and high-quality sound system,” said Simon Winter, Head of Live Events, hmv.

      Impact: “The combination of JBL’s highly evolved and different speaker designs have worked together in one space to create a very engaging and high-quality sound system,” said Simon Winter, Head of Live Events, hmv. “We recently had a very good live performance with Billy Bragg, and he was very complimentary indeed, in fact he said that it was the best in-store sound system he had ever used…”

 

  • United Cinemas – Australia
        • Challenge: United Cinemas required state-of-the-art audio systems capable of delivering clear, intelligible sound and balanced coverage in every seat of its main theater space.
        • Impact: “We selected JBL and Crown solutions for their simple yet effective configuration and routing capabilities,” said Roy Mustaca, Chairman, United Cinemas. “We are delighted with the remarkable job,” said Sam Mustaca, CEO, United Cinemas.

 

  • Warstic Retail Space and Performance Venue – North America
          • Challenge: In addition to a retail space and batting cage area, the facility also features a cafe, a conference space known as the War Room, and a live performance space in the basement.
          • Impact: “The JBL speakers provide massive sound that explodes off the stage and looks great while doing so. Across the board, the sound quality is beyond our wildest expectations in every corner of the building,” said Christine Edgington, President, Warstic Sports, Inc.

The process of identifying the best solution for any installed audio project is multifaceted and requires careful consideration, especially in selecting the right system design and components. JBL Pro’s Application Engineered (AE) Series has proven to be an ideal choice for thousands of installations worldwide. Its performance in voicing, accuracy, and coverage level, coupled with the ROI it offers, makes it a preferred choice for many professionals. We invite you to learn more about the Series and we would love to discuss your next project, whatever it may be.

EXPLORE FURTHER

We invite you to dive into our AE Series product resources to get a more complete picture of how the lineup might be a great fit for your project needs and of course, we are always here when you’re ready to talk further.

  • Talk to a Solutions Expert – Ready to explore more about AE Series, just visit our WORLDWIDE LOCATOR and we will be glad to get in touch with you to answer your questions and discuss your ideas.

 

Ben Todd

Ben Todd is Senior Application Engineer for HARMAN Professional Solutions.

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