BC subwoofers

self-contained cardioid subwoofers

 

Within the B-series of Alcons’ low frequency extensions, the BC subwoofers have a special place; The BC’s are self-contained, cardioid subwoofer systems for both permanent and portable ground-stacked applications.

They are designed to offer a tight and accurate sub-bass response, with optimized directivity control, as low-frequency extension of any Alcons pro-ribbon system in acoustically challenging applications.

By means of a front and rear located woofer configuration, in combination with dedicated processing, the systems offer selectable cardioid low-frequency pattern control and excellent rear rejection, up to 42dB, without the need for additional cabinets and /or space.

This not only offers much improved direct sound response in reverberant rooms, but also enables hugely improved gain control on stage in live sound events, with subwoofer arrays in front of the stage.

“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',” Philip “Dr. Phil” de Haan, head of Alcons Audio R&D

In order to achieve this, bi-amp powering configuration is used in the amplified loudspeaker controller, so dual-DSP channels are available for the required dedicated processing .

Philip continues: “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.”

BC543 cardioid preset @ 63Hz
BF362 preset @ 63Hz

Another focal point was to have maximum system efficiency from even smaller amplifier outputs, as part of a real “compact” system.

Philip: “For this, we didn’t just take a single 8-ohms woofers from a dual-driver subwoofer design, but developed true 4-ohms drivers, specifically to obtain optimal amplifier loading, reducing the required amplifier size for full system response and maximum power output.

For the BC543, we even went as far as specifically developing an 18” woofer with very large motor structure and a carbon-fiber cone”.

18 inch carbon-fiber cone

the compact format cardioid subwoofer

Double-tuned, bass-reflex loaded cardioid-control subwoofer system
■ Single 15” woofer with 12” woofer in cardioid arrangement
■ Large vents for improved breathing and low port compression
■ Low impedance for efficient amplifier loading
■ SIS pre-wired for very high damping and further reduced distortion (with ALC)
■ Selectable cardioid patterns with up to 42dB rearward rejection

The BC272 is a self-contained, medium-output cardioid subwoofer system for both permanent and portable ground-stacked 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 excellent rear rejection (up to 42dB), without the need for additional cabinets.

On the front side, one 15” long-excursion woofer with 4-in. voice-coil with double-spider and demodulation ring, is mounted in a front-loaded configuration.

On the rear side, a single 12” long-excursion woofer with 4-in. voice-coil with double-spider, is mounted in a “front”-loaded configuration.

The large bass reflex ports on the front and the rear side enable excellent breathing capacity, increasing overall output while minimising port-compression.

the mid-sized cardioid subwoofer

Double-tuned, bass-reflex loaded cardioid-control subwoofer system
■ Single 18” woofer with 15” woofer in cardioid arrangement
■ Large vents for improved breathing and low port compression
■ Cardioid patterns with up to 42dB rearward rejection
■ SIS pre-wired for very high damping and further reduced distortion (with ALC)
■ Low impedance for efficient amplifier loading

The BC332 is a self-contained, high-output cardioid subwoofer system for both permanent and portable ground-stacked applications. It is designed to offer a high output, 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 excellent rear rejection (up to 42dB), without the need for additional cabinets.

On the front side, one 18” long-excursion woofer with 4-in. voice-coil with double-spider and demodulation ring frame, is mounted in a front-loaded configuration, with X-Venting™; This port takes more than 20% of the baffle surface and is designed to maximize the system’s breathing capacity, increasing overall output while minimizing port-compression.

the large format “flagship” cardioid subwoofer

Double-tuned, bass-reflex loaded cardioid-control subwoofer system
■ Triple 18” woofer with all-carbon one for high pressure loading
■ 5.3" voice-coils for low power compression and accurate performance
■ Large, centrally-located vent for improved breathing and low compression
■ Selectable cardioid rearward rejection patterns with up to 42dB rearward rejection
■ SIS pre-wired for very high damping and further reduced distortion (with ALC)

The BC543 is a self-contained, high-output cardioid subwoofer system for both permanent and portable applications. It is designed to offer a very high output, tight and accurate sub-bass response, as 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 excellent rear rejection (up to 42dB), without the need for additional cabinets.

Two state-of-the-art 18” long-excursion woofers with 5.3-in. voice-coil with vented triple-spider frame, Neodymium motor structure and all-carbon-fibre cone and dust cap are mounted in a direct-radiating configuration, with centrally-located X-Venting™; Taking more than 25% of the baffle surface, this port is designed to maximise the system’s breathing capacity, while minimising port-compression.

Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers

■ High-output, high-end Hi-Fi sound quality amplifier stages
■ 4-in/4-out matrix with 192kHz capable AES3 digital inputs
■ SIS™ circuit for cable compensation (damping factor 10.000)
■ Dedicated presets for all Alcons system configurations
■ Future upgradeable DSP hardware + life-time software updates
■ Remote control via VNC, ALControl™ or embedded command sets

As part of the Alcons synergetic system approach, the proprietary designed and developed Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers are the drive engines behind the Alcons pro-ribbon sound systems.

The Sentinels combine a powerful 4-channel DSP-based controller with true audiophile-grade high-headroom ClassD amplifier stages and are designed to get the absolute maximum performance out of the pro-ribbon systems.

The future-upgradable DSP engine enables a range of functions, such as equalising, delay, user-presets and system feedback a.o., while the dedicated factory speaker presets feature Alcons’ VHIR™ processing, for an optimized phase response.

Its 192kHz-capable AES3 digital inputs offer the most direct “lossless” signal path from source to speakers.

The Signal Integrity Sensing™ circuit dynamically compensates the effects of long speaker cables, resulting in a fast and tight sub and bass response regardless of cable length or impedance; SIS™ also caters for even further reduced distortion (due to optimized cross-over drive).

Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controllers

The Sentinel3 amplified loudspeaker controller is the recommended “engine” for the pro-ribbon systems and subwoofers for small to medium rooms; For larger rooms, it can be used for powering and controlling the screen system’s mid/high section and the surround systems. With an output of 750W per channel, it packs 3kW of dynamic audiophile drive power.

The Sentinel3 also features a bridge-mode, with which 2 channels can be combined into 1 high-output channel with a minimum 4 ohms load.

The Sentinel10 amplified loudspeaker controller is the recommended “engine” for the pro-ribbon screen and larger surround systems and subwoofers for even the largest rooms; With an output of 2500W per channel, it packs a massive 10kW of dynamic audiophile drive power in a 2 rack-unit space.

It shares the same control and processing infrastructure and modular lay-out with the S3, with 2 redundant power supplies and 4 individual power amp stages.

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