In the Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan, Dream Incorporated is a prominent sound design and rental company, which has recently acquired a sizeable inventory of NEXO’s new super-compact ID24-T9040 full range speakers, together with matching subwoofers and digital TD controllers.
Dream Incorporated’s professional activities extend from design to rental and permanent installation of sound reinforcement systems in a range of applications, including concert tours, events, ceremonies and exhibitions. When it came to designing audio systems for exhibition stages, the compact design of the ID24, combined with its sound quality and output, made it a winning choice.
Dream sound engineer Yoshiaki Nagaya explained the selection process. “We listened to as many speakers as we could get our hands on that seemed good for exhibitions and events. There are a lot of single-unit and coaxial two-way compact speakers out there, but the sound quality really wasn’t much different from the speakers we had been using. The NEXO ID24s feature a unit configuration unlike other speakers, with double woofers and horns that offer variation in vertical/horizontal directivity. The sound quality was good, and the sound volume in particular really made these speakers a cut above the rest— that, and the design. With these speakers, we felt that we could make a case for the beauty of the speaker design to our clients.”
When it comes to exhibition speakers, sound volume is the first requirement. Crowds at these shows can vary from 5 – 200, and its important that there is enough volume for attendees to hear the narration clearly even when the venue starts getting noisy.
The ID24 features an LFx2 + HFx1 (compression driver and horn) component configuration, housed in a uniquely shaped enclosure. There are four models in the range, offering four types of directivity fields: 124° x 40°, 120° x 60°, 60° x 60° and 90° x 40°. The vertical/horizontal directivity field can be switched using a knob on the rear panel—no tools are required.
“We chose the 90° x 40° model. For exhibitions, we often hang the speakers from the truss and the person making the explanations wears a headset mic when explaining the products. When we do this, feedback is our biggest concern. If we can control the directivity of the speaker, we can limit the feedback. Aside from the ID24, there aren’t any speakers that allow you to control the directivity. Now the people who are actually operating the equipment at the exhibitions say that the ID24 is so much easier to use than what we had before.”
Dream’s staff are already eager to use the ID24 for regular installations, and to try them out as in-fills and stage monitors in music set-ups. Versatility is a big factor for the company, as they handle audio in so many different locations.
Yoshiaki Nagaya expands on this point. “With the ID24, we can do vertical, horizontal, pole-mounted or flying installations, so these speakers can be used for many different applications. In the near future, we’re scheduled to do the sound for a concert featuring Japanese musical instruments and folk instruments. In situations like these, it’s best to avoid putting the monitor speakers on stage where the audience can see them, so we are planning to put the ID24s behind the performers in an inconspicuous location. We also acquired IDS-110T compact subwoofers, which can be used along with the ID24. The subwoofer can be used for recitals when you need a sound with impact, or for smaller musical events that this subwoofer can cover. The sound gear we use for exhibitions might be carried on tour around the country for a long time. Our staff might fight over who gets to use the ID24s!”