back to loudspeakers
Overview
Whether you find yourself in a conference hall, place of worship, restaurant, or museum, a high-quality sound system is essential. Recognizing that these venues were not architecturally designed for sound systems, it's crucial to note the acoustical challenges they present. Meeting and conquering these challenges begins with selecting the correct loudspeakers— capable of truly excelling in these diverse environments.
In each venue above, they were selected and seamlessly blended into the architecture. Hidden in plain sight.
It is a powered beam-steering array loudspeaker specially engineered to excel in vocal intelligibility and musicality, even in acoustically challenging spaces. With comprehensive online resources to support a straightforward design and installation process, along with an unmatched price-to-performance value, the MSA12X stands out as the ideal choice for a wide range of installations.
Beam Steering
Line column array technology creates a narrow vertical pattern control and excels in providing consistent front-to-back sound distribution across longer distances, while effectively containing sound projection to the listeners, avoiding spillage onto floors or ceilings.
Another advantage of the line column configuration is its extended coverage distance. In this arrangement, the drop-off in sound pressure level (SPL) over distance is only -3 dBSPL per doubling of distance, compared to the conventional loudspeakers which exhibit a drop-off of -6 dBSPL.
For passive line column, they must be mounted at ear height to achieve optimal performance.
However, in many environments, achieving this might not always be feasible due to mounting limitations or the potential presence of live microphones in close proximity to the loudspeaker.
When mounted at a preferred height location, this necessitates mechanical aiming, often resulting in compromises to the overall coverage. Furthermore, it has the potential to detract from the overall aesthetics as it tilts downward from the wall.
Utilizing its digital beam steering capability, the MSA12X extends its reach to applications that passive line columns are not ideal such as raked floors and audience area with a main floor and second floor audience area.
Select from different beam pattern options based on mounting location of the array and the shape of the coverage area. Additionally, you can deploy dual-beam mode in any sized module configuration (single, double, or triple), and with any combination of beam patterns. Select from three different beam pattern options based on mounting location of the array and the shape of the coverage area. Additionally, you can deploy dual-beam mode in any sized module configuration (single, double, or triple), and with any combination of beam patterns.
Dual Floors
The MSA12X goes beyond conventional loudspeakers or passive columns with its dual-beam functionality, enabling the vertical sound beam to be split into two, providing simultaneous coverage for separate areas such as the main floor and a balcony. Within a ControlSpace ecosystem, the MSA12X offers the capability to adjust its coverage based on the specific 'mode' configured for the venue. If the balcony is unoccupied, for instance, it's possible to deactivate the second beam
To Product Page
Proceed to the product page for a comprehensive overview of the MSA12X's technical specifications. From there, you'll have the option to access and download documentation, software, and firmware related to the product.
Installer Step-by-Step
We've taken note of installers' frustrations with various steerable arrays. The core problem lies in the time-consuming design and installation processes, often plagued by excessive guesswork. Manufacturers’ insufficient instructions necessitate on-site troubleshooting and loss of time.
We heard you and developed a new solution to make the design and installation of MSA12X straightforward. An installer-friendly online instructional webpage providing a seamless step-by-step workflow for designing, configuring, and installing your MSA12X all from one webpage.
Say goodbye to the guesswork and hello to best-in-class online instructions, ensuring a swift and efficient design and installation process.
Hardware
12 x 2.25-inch independently controlled and amplified transducers create a vertical sound beam that is electronically steered for precision aiming to cover the entire audience while reducing disruptive echoes that compromise clarity—without mechanical aiming or angling brackets.
Frequency range is 58Hz to 18kHz for speech and music reinforcement.
The articulated transducer configuration provides 160° horizontal coverage, delivering consistent tonality across the entire audience, ensuring each listener enjoys the same sound experience.
Unlike competitors, who demand various SKUs leading to complexity and extended lead times, MSA12X has a flexible, modular design allowing the simple creation of larger vertical arrays without custom parts, ordering, or oversized shipping boxes. In contrast to competitors, you can sidestep the challenges of maneuvering a large loudspeaker the size of a boat mast into the venue, which often necessitates multiple individuals and the rental of a lift.
With MSA12X, you can simply add the second module, the output is amplified by +3dBSPL, effectively doubling the covered distance due to the line source nature. Furthermore, the expansion extends the low-frequency cutoff from 400Hz to 200Hz, plus dual-beam functionality is improved.
Expansion to three modules allows for a further increase of 1.5dB SPL and enhances beam control down to 130Hz and optimal dual-beam functionality.
Integrated DSP and 600 watts (12 x 50 W) of amplification makes the MSA12X a complete self-processed and -powered solution without the requirement for a standalone amplifier or loudspeaker processor.
Dante® digital audio network interface provides one network cable connection for audio source and system control. Send digital audio to the MSA12X and use the same connection for ControlSpace network integration, enabling control, monitoring, and beam preset recall from ControlSpace-compatible processors, end user controls, and third-party control systems.
A line-level input is also provided for local analog source connection.
When MSA12X is part of a networked Bose ControlSpace system, end users can switch between beam presets to instantly adapt sound coverage to their needs.
Designers simply assign recallable beam presets to user interfaces — such as wall controls or the ControlSpace Remote app— or assign presets to scheduled timer events and third-party control systems.
For example, recallable end-users presets could include: half-room or full-room coverage, meeting room partitioning coverage, or balcony coverage. Single- and dual-beam presets provide users with an easy method to adjust the beam coverage for multi-purpose spaces with varying audience sizes. The installer configures the settings and the user can engage them via software.
While the majority of column line arrays are primarily intended for vocal applications, the MSA12X sets itself apart by excelling in both vocal intelligibility and musicality. Its design allows it to not only deliver clear vocals but also perform well for music reinforcement when paired with a complementary subwoofer.
The Bose Professional MB210-WR passive subwoofer matches the MSA12X and provides low-frequency extension down to 37 Hz. It features two 10-inch high-excursion woofers in a compact, exterior-grade plywood enclosure.
Included with the unit is a U-bracket for mounting it onto walls or ceilings. In a few upcoming slides, I will present a suggested Bose Professional power amplifier that is ideal for powering this setup.
Software
Bose Professional Array Tool is the first step in designing the MSA12X into the room. It is a simulation and analysis software that allows audio system designers to define venue parameters, strategically position the MSA12X within the virtual space, and accurately predict its performance across a diverse range of real-world environments. Once defined, the tool seamlessly synchronizes its predictions with ControlSpace Designer software, forming a workflow that streamlines the entire audio system design process.
Bose Professional ControlSpace Designer is the next step to seamlessly integrate the prediction calculations generated by the Bose Professional Array Tool into the MSA12X. This software application also configures and designs our entire ControlSpace-enabled processors, smart amplifiers, and loudspeakers using one user interface.
Specific to MSA12X, it provides the ability to program settings, recall beam presets, and monitor operations in real-time.
Brochure
Systems
In this configuration, the MSA12X offers a convenient 'set it and forget it' approach by receiving an analog line-level source. Once the beam is aimed and programmed, the computer and network switch plays a role in the initial setup and can subsequently be disconnected, resulting in a cost-effective analog solution.
An important note: A Bose Professional processor is not required. However, dynamically recalling beam presets or enabling real-time monitoring is not provided without the processor.
In this networked arrangement, the MSA12X seamlessly acquires digital audio through Dante transport. This digital audio can originate from Dante-enabled I/O panels like RDL, a digital mixer, or as a component within a broader Q-Sys or Biamp Tesira system.
Similar to the previous configuration, once the beam is aligned and programmed, the computer can be disconnected, allowing it to operate in a 'Set it and forget it' mode. However, in this mode, it won't have the ability to dynamically adjust the beam or provide real-time monitoring.
The full extent of MSA12X's capabilities is truly realized when it is integrated into a comprehensive ControlSpace system.
The MSA12X introduces the capability of beam preset recalls, accessible through the ControlSpace Remote app running on a tablet, as depicted on the left. With a simple press, these buttons can activate presets that dynamically adjust the MSA12X's beam. This functionality proves invaluable across a diverse array of environments, from adaptable meeting spaces with room partitions to performance halls featuring second-floor balconies that can be deactivated during periods of non-use.
You can also utilize the tablet with ControlSpace Remote app to activate the MB210 subwoofer when used for music reinforcement.