Electro-Voice Xf Two-way Dual-12-inch Horn-loaded MB/HF System

The Xf is an active far field, two-way, MB/HF loudspeaker system with a 40° H x 20° V coverage pattern utilizing the full-size X-Array™ enclosure shell. The high-frequency and mid-bass sections are horn loaded with two drivers in each frequency band, and the high-frequency horn/driver combination is mounted coaxially inside the mid-bass horn. The horns and drivers were designed as part of the Xf development and represent a step forward in state-of-the-art loudspeaker design in terms of high acoustic output with low distortion and low power compression. Electro-Voice engineers developed a new technology dubbed Ring-Mode Decoupling (RMD™) to substantially improve clarity and intelligibility by reducing both linear and nonlinear resonance modes that color the sound.

The high-frequency driver in the Xf is the ND5 which is a 35.6-mm (1.4-in.) exit highfrequency compression driver that features a powerful neodymium motor structure that was optimized for maximum efficiency and reduced power compression. A new 76.2-mm (3.0-in.) diameter titanium diaphragm assembly provides increased instantaneous peak output capability and reduced dome breakup. The ND5’s are mounted on a unique tandem pair of 40° H x 20° V constant- directivity horns. This combination results in substantially improved vocal clarity and presence with a smooth response throughout the vocal range up to 20,000 Hz. The horns and drivers are nested inside the mid-bass phase plug assemblies to minimize interference in the mid-bass band.

The mid-bass driver in the Xf is the ND12A, which is a 30.5-mm (12-in.) mid-bass driver that features a powerful new neodymium motor structure that was optimized for maximum horn-loaded efficiency and reduced power compression. A new Kevlar®-reinforced cone assembly provides a smooth response with reduced cone break up. The ND12A’s are mounted on a dual-throat midbass horn that has a coverage pattern that transitions smoothly into the 40° H x 20° V high-frequency pattern. The mid-bass phase plug provides optimal loading for the ND12A driver, delivering smooth response and extended efficiency up to 2,000 Hz. This combination results in improved vocal intelligibility and clarity with a smooth response from the lower-to-mid vocal range. Ring-Mode Decoupling, (RMD™), is a technique utilized and named by Electro-Voice to describe a process used to improve sound quality in loudspeaker systems. RMD™ offers a solution to a very fundamental problem. It has long been recognized that two different loudspeaker systems can sound different even though they both may be equalized to have the same frequency response. This difference is due to a variety of resonances, or ring modes, that color the sound. Although this ringing may be very low in level compared to the program material, it is still audible. The source of these resonances may be mechanical or acoustical in nature, or a combination of both. In addition, they may be linear or nonlinear, resulting in their character changing with level. Furthermore, these ring modes may be aggravated when multiple loudspeaker enclosures are assembled into arrays. The result is a coloration that decreases intelligibility and clarity, with the nature of that coloration varying with level. Often, the listener perceives that coloration as imbalance in the frequency response, and will attempt to electronically adjust the system to restore the spectral balance. However this electronic equalization has the negative effect of changing the program material itself.

Features

• Unprecedented acoustic output in small, lightweight package
• Ring-Mode Decoupling (RMD™) provides accurate transient detail
• Neodymium ND5 HF and MB drivers
• Unique rear-hinge rigging
• Enclosure shell and rigging identical to all of the full-size X-Array™ systems
• Far-field, 40° x 20° coverage pattern

Specifications

EV Xf datasheet
More Info