FAQ

Q. The legacy K Series has a published spec of 1000W
Continuous (500W+500W), or 1000W+1000W Peak
power. If the K.2 Series is also spec’d at 2000W
peak, is the K.2 Series really more powerful than
the legacy K models?
A. Yes. The K.2 Series utilizes a new amplifier system that offers
nearly double the power to the LF driver than did legacy
K Series, while utilizing a smaller, more appropriately sized
amplifier for the HF driver. Legacy K Series amplifiers were
measured on a test-bench to deliver up to 500W+500W into
an optimal load, with Peaks of 1000W. In contrast, the new
K.2 amplifier has been measured in-system to deliver 900W
into the LF driver, with Peaks of 1800W. This smarter power
distribution of 1800W+225W results in almost twice the power
delivered to the LF driver compared to legacy K (1800W vs
1000W Peak). Additionally the greater LF power gives the
K.2 Series considerably more headroom, and therefore lower
distortion, resulting in improved clarity at high levels.
Q. On the Specification sheet, the Maximum SPL
(Sound Pressure Level) of the K.2 Series appears
to be only 1dB higher than the legacy K Series.
Does the K.2 Series only go 1dB louder than its
predecessor?
A. No. Back in 2009 when the legacy K Series was first
introduced, there was no common industry practice for
determining Maximum SPL of a self-powered loudspeaker
therefore the Maximum SPL was originally calculated, in the
same way that all non-powered loudspeakers are calculated.
By comparison, the Maximum SPL for the new K.2 Series
was actually measured in accordance with newer industry
practices (on-axis at 1 meter, using dynamic pink noise). When
we measured the legacy K Series using this newer industry
practice, the comparative SPL (apples-for-apples) measured as
follows:
K8 = 126 dB compared to K8.2 = 128 dB
K10 = 127 dB compared to K10.2 = 130 dB
K12 = 129 dB compared to K12.2 = 132 dB
Q. Do the K.2 loudspeakers go into Auto-Standby like
the legacy K loudspeakers?
A. Yes. The K.2’s Class D amplifier will go into auto-standby if
there is no signal present for a period of three (3) minutes. As
soon as signal is detected the amplifier will exit standby mode
within milliseconds (which is inaudible to the ear).
Q. What is the benefit of Auto-Standby mode?
A. Auto-Standby will dramatically reduce the power consumption
during inactivity (down to approx. 0.2 Amps – just enough to
keep the micro-controller running). This is a very useful feature
when installing K.2 into venues that are trying to reduce their
total power consumption to meet “Sustainable” or “Green”
Building codes such as LEED or EDGE.
Q. Does the front power LED turn off when the
loudspeaker’s amplifier goes into Auto-Standby like
on legacy K models?
A. No. With the legacy K series, when the loudspeaker went into
Auto-Standby the front LED would turn off, and when signal
was detected the amplifier would immediately exit standby
mode and the front LED would re-illuminate. This created some
confusion with users. On K.2 we decided that the power LED
should always remain on, even when the loudspeaker goes in
Auto-Standby mode.
Q. Are there any times when my K.2 loudspeaker will
not go into Auto-Standby?
A. If you have a mobile device connected to the 3.5mm Input
and turned down, there may still be enough crosstalk that the
loudspeaker is detecting light signal. Likewise, if you have Input
B set to HI-Z for a passive instrument, and have unplugged
that instrument, there will be enough noise present on that High
Impedance input that the loudspeaker is still detecting signal
(even though that signal is noise). In any case where audio
signal (including noise) is detected, the amplifier will not go into
Standby.
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