MAD Arrays are powered by a planar magnetic driver, purpose-engineered for professional sound applications. While planar magnetic speakers have been around for quite a while in the consumer market, previous systems have typically been too large, too fragile, too inefficient, and too expensive to be used in professional applications. Most recently, small planar magnetic speakers have begun to appear in the multimedia market, providing near-field playback for computers, but these also are too limited in bandwidth, power handling, and output to be used in true professional audio applications.
So what makes MAD drivers unique? Since MAD drivers have been specifically engineered to take the inherent benefits of planar magnetic technology into the professional audio market, the previous limitations were addressed and corrected over a period of years of R&D. The immediate benefits include:
First, MAD drivers provide exceptional output. The drivers in MAD A9 arrays provide fully 10-16dB more output than previous generations of planar magnetic drivers. The results are impressive: an array of eight MAD A9 elements has been measured in excess of 120dB at 200 feet.
MAD drivers were also engineered to handle the power levels required for professional applications. Each driver is rated to handle in excess of 100W (RMS) each, with peaks up to 1000W. A typical MAD A9 array element of nine drivers is powered with a 1500W amplifier channel. In fact, one of our QC tests involved overpowering the driver to the point where the diaphragm physically slaps the internal magnet structure, and is left in this condition for 24 hours. "Before and after" comparisons of frequency response and distortion indicates minimal change in performance.
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