Developed to meet the increasingly diverse needs of rental companies and systems integrators, the HORIZON VHA (Vertical Horizontal Array) series by FBT is set to rewrite the rules of sound reinforcement system design when it debuts at Frankfurt Pro Light + Sound 2018.

Delivering optimal audience coverage with the ability to adapt to the requirements of the project at hand, HORIZON VHA represents a step forward in flexible sound reinforcement technology with exceptional sound quality. Crafted in Italy with the no-compromises manufacturing excellence for which FBT is known, the HORIZON VHA series comprises the full range VHA406A, plus two options for low-end extension in the shape of the 12” VHA112SA and 18” VHA118SA.

Constructed in birch plywood with a tough and tour-ready synthetic rubber surround, each VHA406A comprises four 6.5-inch woofers plus a 1.4” large-format neodymium compression driver with a 2.5” voice coil. The purpose-designed central waveguide, optimised with BEM finite element simulations, offers dispersion of 90° horizontal and 20° vertical, with precise and focused vertical control across the enclosure’s entire operating range. The result is a combination of perfectly balanced, symmetrical dispersion – multiple system can be coupled with full coherence far beyond 18KHz, plus a particularly powerful, defined midrange with a frequency response extending from 65Hz to 20KHz.

The VHA406A’s Class-D, switch mode amplifier module is constructed in die-cast aluminium with natural convection to deliver 600W for the LF section and 300W for the HF. Courtesy of an integrated DSP processor with next generation algorithms, users can choose from eight presets to further tailor system performance whilst enjoying the system’s tremendous headroom to ensure the best possible audio fidelity.

Integrated hardware allows the linking of up to six VHA406A cabinets with variable angles from 5° to 20° (in 5° steps), ensuring an easy and error-proof system configuration and set-up. Rigging is simplified even further by the inclusion of only one setting point per side. All setting pins are fixed and integrated into the hardware, eliminating both the risk of loss and damage in transport.

Crucially, the HORIZON VHA system also boasts integrated quick-release anchor points that facilitate the creation of horizontal arrays using the dedicated flybar. Each flybar will support up to three VHA406A cabinets, while multiple flybars can be joined for the creation of arrays delivering up to 360° coverage.

For low-end extension, meanwhile, the VHA112SA flyable bass-extension module is ideal for small-to-medium sized projects, seamlessly matching the VHA406A in both size and shape yet housing a single 12” B&C long excursion woofer. The bass reflex design incorporates a laminar air flow to minimise turbulence and compression, while the Class-D amplifier module drives the system with 1,200W, and includes on-board DSP with filtering, equalization and limiting.

For larger spaces, the ground-stacked VHA118SA is an exceptionally powerful and versatile subwoofer that sets a new standard for SPL to size ratio. Comprising a single 18” B&C woofer, the birch plywood, bass reflex sub again deploys a laminar air-flow for refined performance, while its 2,500W Class-D amplifier module offers a selection of six entirely rewritten preset algorithms.

The design of the VHA118SA has produced a unique low-end module that is capable of generating extremely high levels of SPL for prolonged periods. Using BEM finite element simulations, FBT has optimised the woofer’s load volume, while careful study of the grille and the assembly’s protective fabric have minimised acoustic impedance for a net improvement in performance compared to previous models. The addition of the VHA118SA extends the overall system frequency response to 30Hz, while the sub can support fully ground-stacked configurations courtesy of special integrated mounting hardware.