Meyer Sound introduces compact M'elodie loudspeaker

M'elodie demos at InfoComm Meyer Sound will be busy when the InfoComm exposition gets underway at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, June 3-9. The new M’elodie will receive its first public U.S. auditions in a series of demonstrations — open to all show attendees — on Thursday, June 8. Three demonstrations hosted by Meyer Sound’s Jim Sides will be held in Hall F of the convention center: the first at 12:30 PM, the second at 3 PM, and the final one at 5 PM. A reception will follow the last event. The demonstrations will include a technical system design overview from Mauricio “Magu” Ramirez, Meyer Sound’s internationally renowned senior seminar instructor, and a live performance by “The Flock,” a Latin band from the Miami, Florida area. Meyer Sound exhibits at booth 2039.

At prolight + sound show 2006 in Frankfurt Meyer Sound announced the M'elodie compact high-power curvilinear array loudspeaker, the latest addition to the company's MILO family of self-powered loudspeakers. M'elodie has a smaller footprint than the MICA curvilinear array loudspeaker, making it suitable for fixed installation in theatres, ballrooms, clubs and other venues that before might have seemed too small for a line array solution. In larger venues, M'elodie can be used to provide downfill or sidefill for a system based on the MICA loudspeaker. Individual M'elodie units might also be used as fill systems for under-balcony or frontfill coverage. "With M'elodie, we have completed the MILO family, our next generation of curvilinear array loudspeakers," explains CEO John Meyer. "We created M'elodie to satisfy all of our customers' requests for a curvilinear array product that is powerful, yet compact enough for situations where aesthetics or load limits are restrictive." M'elodie provides 100 degrees of horizontal coverage and produces maximum peak output levels up to 131 dB SPL. It exhibits flat frequency and phase response over its operating frequency range of 70 Hz to 18 kHz in a package measuring less than 29 inches (73.66 cm) wide by 9.5 inches (24.13 cm) high by 13 inches (33.02 cm) deep and weighing in at less than 65 pounds (29.48 kg). M'elodie incorporates two newly designed neodymium magnet 8-inch cone drivers in a two-way arrangement to cover the low/low-mid frequency range. An integral electronic crossover rolls off one driver at a lower frequency than the other in order to maintain optimal polar and frequency response through the crossover region. The high-frequency section uses a single 3-inch diaphragm compression driver, mounted on a patented REM manifold for tight vertical coverage, then coupled to a horn that provides constant directivity in the horizontal plane. All drivers are designed and manufactured by Meyer Sound at the company's Berkeley, California, factory, and driven by an on-board, three-channel, class AB/H amplifier conservatively rated at 1200 watts total burst output (2400 watts peak). Meyer Sound's RMS remote monitoring system is included standard, as is newly designed captive QuickFly rigging hardware intended to provide flexibility and ease of use in rigging and striking arrays. The new rigging hardware uses rigid GuideALinks contained within recessed guides in the front and rear corners of the cabinet. The rear link of the rigging allows settings for 12 different angles from zero to 11 degrees, in one-degree increments. Up to 16 M'elodie loudspeakers can be flown in a single array at a 7:1 safety ratio. The MG-M'elodie multipurpose grid supports groundstacking of M'elodie arrays, as well as flying them. To give M'elodie low-frequency support, Meyer Sound's 700-HP ultrahigh-power subwoofer provides sufficient output for the most demanding uses. For applications when it is desirable to fly a subwoofer as part of a M'elodie array, the 600-HP high-power subwoofer is the product of choice. Flown arrays integrating M'elodie with MICA and/or the 600-HP can be built using the optional MTF-MICA/M'elodie transition frame. The 600-HP and 700-HP can also be groundstacked, and even configured into a horizontal line array for uniform low-frequency coverage over a large area. Available options include a weather-protected version with an integral rain hood to safeguard the electronics, and custom color finishes. A caster frame for conveniently transporting stacks of multiple units and protective covers is also available.