This year's stand was something of a fresh departure from the mono-block colouring so characteristic of d&b audiotechnik. Gothic vaulted arches sketched in pastel provided an ideal backdrop to the new column loudspeakers, the xC-Series. Aesthetically pleasing yet designed to be unobtrusive in the most demanding of acoustic spaces, the xC-Series attracted the attention of visitors looking for a cabinet that could deliver unsurpassed speech intelligibility in the most demanding of venues.
Alongside these elegant columns was the Ti10 representing the T-Series, a loudspeaker designed for small to medium sized applications. And if that wasn't enough, the B4-SUB was on hand to complete the 'small yet effective' theme.
While enjoying a refreshing beverage, visitors were able to ask about the new D80 amplifier that took centre stage on the stand.
In customary style, Steve Jones of d&b GB Education and Application Support (EAS) delivered a fascinating appendix to the D80s on display: d&b audiotechnik: Absolute Efficiency - Less Really is More. As Jones explains, "There's been a great deal of interest in the new D80s; coupled with our new software versions, ArrayCalc and R1 V2, this cues a significant step forward. PFC (Power Factor Correction) built into the D80 means we always get the optimum from our loudspeakers; meaning you get a happier show, even when running from unstable mains supplies. And, with four channels, the D80 amplifier is a product we are very excited about."
A closer examination of that tricky area, the bottom end, was the gift of Oran Burns of d&b GB EAS; his seminar entitled, Your Bottom End: Careful Where You Put it! attracted quite a crowd. As always, the seminars mixed education, information, humour and entertainment in equally generous measures, as were the d&beers enjoyed at the hospitality bar.
(Jim Evans)
