Weybridge, UK, 9^th May 2022 – Sony has today announced the launch of its new powered line-array speaker the SLS-1A, which is purpose-built to create a new sound field when paired with large format displays. The speaker promises to solve common pain-points for large spaces with large display formats, such as unfavourable acoustics, separation of visual and sound, and the inability to install the speakers in a way that creates a prioritised listening experience for each viewer.

“We are really excited to launch this new speaker into the market to sit alongside our already well-established range of large display format products, such as our BRAVIA® 4K Professional Displays, Crystal LED B and C series, and our line-up of business projectors.” comments Christopher Mullins, Product Manager, Sony Professional Displays & Solutions. “The launch of the SLS-1A demonstrates our commitment at Sony to developing products that focus on enabling the highest quality, most immersive AV experiences for our customers, dealers, and integrators, across the retail, education, corporate sectors.”

Wide sweet spot to meet large displays

One key feature of the modular bar style speaker is its wide sweet spot, which creates a clear sound field in larger spaces. The newly developed SLS-1A is equipped with eight proprietary magnetic fluid speakers that use a flat and square diaphragm to achieve clear, high-quality sound with little distortion. 8 channels of DSP (digital signal processor) and amplifier with maximum output of 10W are built into a minimal housing. In addition, the eight speakers are arranged at a narrow interval of 48mm. This not only suppresses the sound distortion, but also enables beam control that controls the direction and angle of sound delivery with a high degree of accuracy. This combination of technologies and set-ups delivers a sound system that is effective not only for voice, but also for content playback, with less distortion to create a uniform sound pressure and quality in large listening areas.

Flexible installation with compact size

Packing 8 channels of AMP/DSP into a very rigid aluminium casing, the SLS-1A can be aligned vertically or horizontally, which boosts its flexibility and multiplies its potential installations in different environments. Its modular approach means that several speakers can be added on through a single Dante connection added to flexible fine beam control allows the SLS-1A to meet the requirements of multiple installation spaces. Whether in a lecture hall or office lobby, the speaker modules can be installed both vertically and horizontally, and audio can be optimised using fine beam control to whatever the room dimensions and user needs.

On-screen centre sound localisation

This specially designed speaker features on screen centre sound localisation technology using Line-Array display with a central “phantom” speaker, making it well suited to large displays where centre channel localisation is challenging due to speaker position, but also creating a uniform sound experience no matter where a viewer is positioned. The SLS-1A is designed to be paired with multiple large format display types, including Crystal LED, BRAVIA® 4K Professional Displays, as well as business projectors.

Key features include:

The SLS-1A can be used in partnership with our MAS-A100 beamforming microphone, to improve the performance of its speech reinforcement technology in university lecture theatres and classrooms.

For more information, pricing, and availability of Sony’s new SLS-1A speaker, click here. 

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