LR18i, Alcons' First Installation-Specific Pro-Ribbon Line-Array

The LR18/90i is a 3-way, “compact-mid-size” format line-source sound system, combining the highest sound quality possible with very high SPL capabilities and throw.

By implementing Alcons’ pro-ribbon technology for mid and high frequencies, a very fast impulse response with up-to-90% less distortion is achieved. This enables the LR18i to offer an intuitive linear response, with optimal intelligibility and non-compressed identical tonal balance at any SPL, under a remarkable gain-before-feedback performance.

The all-natural cylindrical wavefront of the multiple-patented Alcons RBN702rs 7” pro-ribbon transducer and the acoustically and electronically symmetrical component configuration cater for a very coherent pattern control in both the vertical as well as the horizontal plane, without any distortion-inducing horn constructions.

The pro-ribbon’s power handling of 1500W (200 milliseconds, which is 10x the industry standard) provides an unlimited headroom for even the most dynamic source material.

The RBN702 is coupled to a high-efficiency, horn-loaded 6.5” midrange transducer, coaxially mounted behind the HF driver; The LF section consists of 2 reflex-loaded 8” woofers with oversized 3” voice-coil Neodymium motor-structure. These surpass the output of even larger drivers, while maintaining a smaller face print.

The LR18i is controlled by the Sentinel amplified loudspeaker controller with system-specific drive processing, including ”VHIR processing” offering phase-matching with any Alcons system and
Signal Integrity Sensing™; SIS™ dynamically compensates cable length and amplifier impedance effects, resulting in a tight and accurate low and mid frequency reproduction (system damping factor 10.000).

“The LR18 line-array follows the design approaches of its larger siblings, the LR24 and the LR28 pro-ribbon line-arrays. We developed this symmetrical line-array as a full three-way system, where two-way is the general standard in this product category,” says Philip “Dr. Phil” de Haan, Alcons’ head of R&D.

The three-way, bi-amped configuration not only delivers a higher system output, but also give a much improved horizontal coverage control over the industries benchmarks. And of course, add to that the crystal-clear, undistorted Alcons signature sound quality.

Not only in the horizontal plane do the 3-way Alcons line-arrays excel, but also in the vertical plane; The side-lobe free projection creates a perfect wavefront for an unprecedented throw and system coherency up to the highest frequencies beyond 20kHz, convincing by its performance in acoustically-challenging applications, like wind-stability or consistent reflected diffuse-field i.e.

Philip “Dr. Phil” de Haan continues: “We wanted to make the LR18’s unique properties easier accessible for applications where mobility, flexibility and ease of quick set-up and strike was of less relevance. For this, we focused on simplifying the system down to the core performance , while maintaining the unique sound properties of the pro-ribbon line-array: “WYMIWYG, What You Mix Is What You Get” !

To provide the sound designer with the right tools, the LR18i is available with a 90° (LR18/90i) or 120° (LR18/120i) horizontal dispersion. It can be combined with the LR18B fly/stack 18” subwoofer.