—Collaboration Between Yamaha and ACE Offers Sound and Selection—
Yamaha strengthens its offerings in total systems solutions with the introduction of the Installation Series. A total of 19 models with seamlessly integrated enclosures, hardware, components and crossover networks have been engineered to meet the requirements of the medium-to-large scale touring and installation markets.
The Yamaha Installation Series was conceived and developed through a unique collaboration between two premier companies and names in the fields of sound reinforcement and cabinet design. A US-based company Audio Composite Engineering (ACE) and its highly respected acoustic engineer Michael Adams were retained by Yamaha to realize the product concepts of Yamaha legendary speaker engineer, Akira Nakamura.
Since 1965, Mr. Nakamura has helped to develop a wide variety of innovative musical instrument products, hi-fi and commercial audio speakers, the most famous being the industry standard Yamaha NS-10M studio reference monitor. Adams is currently vice president at ACE, and has more than three decades of experience as a speaker designer and mixing engineer. He has designed all the touring systems for international sound reinforcement company Sound Image, including the proprietary G-5 composite systems.
Installation Series models include 12” and 15” full range 2- and 3-way loudspeakers; horn loaded mid/high loudspeakers; single and dual 8” 2-way loudspeakers; a dual 5” full range; plus a single 15”, a single 18”, dual 15” and 18” subwoofers. Cabinets can be stacked, arrayed or hung, and multi-angled cabinets can also be used as floor monitors.
Uniform phase response throughout the entire series enables users to mix and match any number or type of speakers without hot spots and dead areas due to interference and cancellation. Custom, rotatable horns were also developed to enhance high frequency dispersion and response, particularly where space consideration dictates speaker orientation. The series includes a selection of horn coverage patterns designed for ideal long-range, short-range and long/short-range throw applications.
“After 30 years of touring, and having done thousands of gigs in every possible venue type, you get an idea of what does and doesn’t work,” says Adams. “The Yamaha Installation Series speakers just plain work. With linear phase response in either active or passive modes, your client can be assured that no matter which speaker type and combination is chosen, they will combine into one cohesive, transparent system.”
Connections include a barrier strip and dual Neutrik NL4 connectors (3-way models include Neutrik NL8 connectors). A mode selector switch offers a choice of bi-amp, (passive) single-amp, tri-amp, parallel or discrete operation, depending upon cabinet type.
Constructed of high density Finn Birch, cabinet exteriors feature textured black or white (designated with the prefix W) finishes, and may be painted to incorporate into any environment. Full dado joint construction minimizes cabinet vibration, while foam-backed, 14-guage perforated steel grilles offer additional component protection. The Installation Series is built at Yamaha’s Thomaston, Gergia (USA) factory, and reflects the same construction precision and rigorous specifications found in the company’s fine pianos.
Installation Series cabinets include multiple rigging points for flexible hanging with Yamaha or third-party hardware. All enclosures are pre-fitted with M10 threaded inserts and include a kit containing four forged eyebolts. Standard U-bracket and array-frame hardware is also available for maximum convenience.
