Genelec plays it smart

The new 4430 two-way active installation loudspeaker from Genelec is a compact enclosure, compatible with both Dante and AES67 IP audio streams and gaining power from PoE and PoE+ via a proprietary internal power supply the helps with the delivery of 104dB of short-throw SPL thanks to a pair of 50W Class-D amplification stages that feed the woofer and tweeter. More importantly, the 4430 is the first Genelec model to feature the Finnish manufacturer’s new Smart IP technology, which is designed to offer scalable power, audio and loudspeaker configuration, supervision and calibration features over a standard Cat cable.

The Cat connector, located on the rear of the 4430, provides access to Genelec’s Smart IP Manager, as well as power and audio-over-IP. The Smart IP Manager tool operates on Windows 10 and facilitates the configuration of rooms, zones, loudspeakers and audio channels, with device discovery, a versatile room equalisation tool set, system organisation and status monitoring functionalities. In addition, the 4430’s APIs support the hooks allowing for external control via third-party software and hardware or house automation.

Supporting up to eight channels of audio across a stream, with sample rates between 32kHz and 96kHz and a 16–24-bit resolution, the 4430 enables streams to be managed by either the Dante Controller or Dante Domain Manager software, as well as legacy balanced line analogue audio. The speaker’s frequency response is 45Hz to 23kHz (–6dB) thanks to a 5-inch woofer and ¾-inch metal dome tweeter.

The cabinet, built to be compact and lightweight, is formed from Genelec’s Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide technologies. It has reportedly been manufactured using certified sustainable methods and produced from recycled aluminium. The 4430 is available in black, white or a selection of 120 custom RAL colours. The speaker is compatible with Genelec’s existing range of mounting accessories, which allows it to be floor-, ceiling-, wall- or truss-mounted.

‘Our research into IP loudspeaker technology dates back to 2005, and the response to the preview of Smart IP at ISE back in February [2019] was so overwhelmingly positive that we knew that this valuable work would now allow us to fulfil a very obvious gap in the installed audio market,’ said Genelec managing director, Siamak Naghian. ‘The 4430 is just the first of a number of loudspeaker models to incorporate Smart IP technology, and we look forward to expanding the range in 2020 and beyond.’