Friendly FAQS
Friendly FAQs: What People Ask New!
Many of the Most Frequently Asked Questions, received at NEXO,
address our fundamental design principle of System Integration.
For example: The most often asked question is:
Q:
Why does NEXO integrate systems with electronic controllers, and
not just sell components like most other loudspeaker manufacturers.
Isn't this just an expensive method to improve speaker performance?
Couldn't I do just as well with my own outboard gear?
A:
No, the truth is exactly the opposite. These are highly engineered
integrated systems, and analog/digital TDcontrollers are key to
NEXO's ability to manufacture the world's highest quality, most
reliable sound reinforcement systems. TDcontrollers, as well as
intelligent PSAMPs, incorporate precise, real-time data, based
on many years of intensive R&D measurements and design evolutions.
Just as computer-controlled electronic ignition has improved the
performance of the modern internal combustion engines, electronic
control has increased loudspeaker potential. Think of a NEXO integrated
system in the same way you would think about the fuel injection
system on a high-performance automobile, for example a BMW touring
sedan. You may be an expert mechanic, with years of hands-on experience,
but there is simply no way you can accurately acquire and evaluate
enough information to modify and improve a BMW fuel injection
system. And why would you want to? Aren't there many other pressing
issues that demand your attention?
Simply put, we know more about our loudspeaker systems than anyone
else. We don't use off-the-shelf transducers. We specify, with
select suppliers, according to cabinet and system design. We know
precisely how our cones and drivers react, across the frequency
range, and in reaction to frequency-dependent impedance. When
we integrate all our components, as a system, we simultaneously
optimize their individual performance while protecting them, even
under the most extreme conditions.
System integration is our mission. The NEXO R&D group continually
upgrades its electro-acoustic data acquisition methods and the
algorithms we use to produce superior real-world performance from
integrated systems. We encourage you to invest the time to hear
a NEXO system, and decide for yourself. Just click Contact NEXO
in the banner above. We will do the rest.
Q:
Why do I need a NEXO Amplifier for a PS8 or PS10?
A:
We offer our AMP/controllers, as a part of a turnkey small system
solution. These amplifiers are perfectly power matched for PS8
and PS10 Series systems. You can use other amplifiers with PS8
& PS10, but none will match the ease of operation, reliability
and performance offered by these AMP/controllers.
Q:
If your digital controllers are so advanced why does NEXO need
to offer new firmware programs?
A:
At NEXO, being advanced means staying ahead of the curve. Ongoing
testing provides us with an infinitely precise set of performance
models. That is one reason we routinely offer new NX242 firmware
"loads". Each new NX242 load reflects our newest data,
obtained from R&D research and in collaboration with real-world
NEXO users.
Q:
What about the NX242, isn’t that just an NX241 with a new
faceplate?
A:
Yes and NO! NX242 is the natural evolution of our advanced digital
control technology into open-networked sound system topology (EtherSound™)
and WinCai for remote control of Camco Amplifiers.
In many operational ways, NX242 seems identical to veteran NX241
users, but there are significant improvements and upgrades. (Visit
our Tech Spex (R&D) area in NEXOnet for a full list of NX242's
improvements.
Q:
Why must I join NEXOnet to access some of the best information
on this site?
A:
NEXOnet is intended for professional users, and configured so
those who require specialized information, such as Live Event
engineers, or Consultant/Designers, can access that information
according to need. Joining NEXOnet, and identifying yourself as
a professional, helps us determine what resources are most important
to NEXOnet users. It's free and no one will bother you with commercial
offers.
Q:
It seems to me that I can buy several horn and cone loudspeaker
cabinets for the price of a similar PS Series system. Is there
really that much difference between the PS and other comparable
horn and cone combinations?
A:
Honestly, such comparisons are simply without merit. To group
disposable MI products with the cornerstone of the NEXO's product
line is like comparing apples and string beans.
The key words to this question are "similar", "comparable"
and "system". Although most MI stores, and many "
pro" dealers, offer black boxes that may appear cosmetically
"similar" to a PS Series loudspeaker, their performance
is never "comparable".
PS Series' asymmetrical horns offer pattern control unmatched
by the common black box, while our TDcontrollers, as mentioned
above, are a major contributor to the PS Series' sonic excellent
and reliability. Equally important are NEXO's rigorous standards
for electro-acoustic components (cones, compression drivers and
electronics).
Simply put, PS Series systems are the world standard. As such,
they are professionally priced, professional products. In the
end, it’s a matter of budget and need.
Q:
How are the GEO system's horn functionally different than other
vertical array horns?
A:
Conventional horns have a fixed pattern that is molded into the
megaphone-variant flare in production. GEO Technology's unprecedented
Configurable Directivity allows system designers the freedom to
select from a wider range of patterns without the cost penalty
of custom horns.
It also enables a qualified system technician to adapt a horizontal
or vertical tangent array's dispersion to the shape of the audience
area: narrow, wide, fan shaped or rectangular, GEO Technology
offers a better match.
In the coupling plane, the hyperboloid acoustical reflector uses
optical principles to focus acoustic energy into the desired coverage
pattern. This coupling plane can be either horizontal or vertical
and the term "coupling" references the plane in which
multiple Hyperboloid Reflective Wavesources (HRW) produce coherent,
tangent wavefronts.
In the non-coupling plane, the GEO wavesource controls dispersion
with a diffraction slot. The exit flare of this diffraction slot
can be altered by removing or replacing flanges on either, or
both sides. This option allows users to field-change the coverage
angle, as needed.
The GEO S Series HRW ships with 120° flanges that can be removed
to produce 80° coverage in the non-coupling plane. The GEO
T Series HRW is an integral part of the enclosure and allows a
choice of 90° or 120° patterns in the non-coupling plane.
Q:
I know GeoSoft is software, but what does it do?
A:
GEOSoft software is a simple, powerful, highly-accurate, user-friendly
system design/array tool. When used properly, GEOSoft enables
users to achieve maximum coherency from GEO S and GEO T systems
and match the audience "footprint" by providing equal
power to all venue areas, side-to-side and front-to-rear. GEOSoft
also allows system designers to predict system average and peak
SPL and quantify the number of cabinets needed for every application.
Due to the complexity of the interaction of multiple cabinets,
it is simply impossible to design curved vertical arrays reliably
without using computer processing to predict the optimum array
structure for any real-world audience geometry.
GEOSoft design logic is far more complex than looking at a section
drawing of the venue, measuring the overall angle of audience
coverage needed and dividing by 5° to determine the number
of GEO cabinets you will need. GEOSoft software is keyed to the
GEO (TSASS) array assembly system to enable GEO T users easy array
deployment, with infinite precision.
Q:
Doesn't GEO technology make the other NEXO systems obsolete?
A:
No, not at all. There are many small and medium size applications
where vertical arrays may not offer the ideal solution. For non-vertical
array applications we recommend PS Series, Alpha and AlphaE deployment.
