The d&b audiotechnik benchmark E-Series comprises some of the smallest loudspeakers within the Black range of products. They are highly compact and unobtrusive in their design, making them visually discreet yet audibly impressive for such small loudspeakers. In order to expand the offering within this Series d&b is launching the new E4 and E5 loudspeakers that in terms of size fit below the recently launched E6, the successor for the venerable little E3. The E4 will be available from November 2011, while the release of the E5 is scheduled for January 2012.
The E4 and E5, the latter being a new design for the popular E0 in the Series, are lightweight two-way passive loudspeakers that employ a 4″ and 5″ LF driver respectively and a coaxially mounted wide dispersion dome tweeter. Both are mounted in highly compact enclosures and offer wide symmetrical dispersion patterns in the horizontal and vertical plane, while the cabinets may be mounted in either attitude. They have built-in passive crossover networks with a frequency response extending from 130 to 20 kHz for the E4 and 85 Hz to 20 kHz for the E5 and weighing in at 1.1 kg (2.4 lb) and 2.2 kg (4.8 lb) they produce a maximum dB SPL of 115 and 117 respectively. The enclosures are injection moulded providing both excellent mechanical and acoustical properties and are coated with an impact resistant black paint finish. The front of the loudspeakers are protected by a rigid metal grill and incorporated into the rear panel is an M10 threaded insert to accept the Ball joint adapter, two NL4 connectors and a 2 pole push terminal.
The loudspeakers are weather protected and suitable for temporary outdoor use as standard, and as with all other E-Series cabinets are available to order with a special colour option. They can be powered by either the d&b D6 or D12 amplifiers and up to four cabinets may be driven by each channel of either amplifier. Firmware and software updates including the E4 are available for download under the relevant sections within Support/Downloads at www.dbaudio.com. These provide configurations for all current d&b amplifiers and the latest version of R1 Remote control software. Firmware and software updates to include the E5 will be available in January 2012.
The E4 and E5 loudspeakers are specifically intended for mobile near field applications for speech and music reinforcement in theatres, conferences, industrial presentations and broadcast studios and as surround sound, delay and fill systems. Both can be used stand-alone or supplemented by different subwoofers from the E-Series. Werner ‘Vier’ Bayer, Product Manager at d&b commented, “When we recently launched the E6 into the E-Series we thought at the time that this little loudspeaker was the final piece to complete the package since the introduction of the E12X and the cardioid B4 subwoofers, however these two new loudspeakers have proved us wrong. The E4 and E5 are great additions to this Series providing even further flexibility along with astonishing performance for their size. They really should be listened to, to be believed.”
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