Harman Professional Helps Sound The Call For The United States Pavilion at World Expo 2010 Shanghai China

JBL VRX line arrays, Control Contractor installed-sound loudspeakers and BSS Soundweb London processing systems will provide the U.S. Pavilion with world-class audio;

The U.S. Pavilion’s theme is "Rise to the Challenge,” something that Harman brands do on a daily basis when called upon for the most significant live sound applications around the world.

SHANGHAI, China — Harman (NYSE: HAR), a leading provider of branded audio and infotainment electronics for the home, the car, and sound professionals, today announced that technologies from its JBL and BSS Audio brands will form the critical core of the sound system for the United States Pavilion at the upcoming World Expo 2010 Shanghai China.  An estimated 70-plus million attendees over the course of the next six months will experience performances in the $61 million, 60,000-square-foot, glass-walled U.S. Pavilion, which will feature four separate performance spaces, which will be used for multimedia performances, with live performances taking place just outside in the plaza near the queue. Artists scheduled to perform during the opening week of Expo 2010 include the Philadelphia Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Herbie Hancock, as well as a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, pop, ska and classical music, along with university marching bands, theater and dance troupes, and "Salutes" the American city and state partners.

The sound system’s components, installed and integrated by award-winning audio-visual company Electrosonic, include loudspeakers from JBL’s portable systems including PRX512M powered monitors in addition to VRX Series line arrays, including VRX932LAP powered 2-way line arrays and VRX918SP 18" powered subwoofers. Both the PRX and VRX Series speakers were part of the live stage equipment and run through the Harman soundboard. Other speakers used included JBL’s Application Engineered Series, such as AC2215/00 compact 2-way loudspeakers, as well as JBL’s Control 26CT and Control 25AV from the highly regarded Control Contractor Series of installed speakers. These loudspeakers are processed by BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-160 Signal Processors configured using Soundweb London Architect software and controlled via Harman’s HiQnet™ control protocol.

“Great sound carries,” noted Michael MacDonald, Harman Professional Executive Vice President of Marketing & Sales.  “And in this instance, Harman is at once proud and also humbled that our sound systems are helping carry the spirit of American design and invention at the World Expo 2010.  We are honored that when events of this magnitude and this significance need sound technologies, systems designers the world over continue to look to Harman brands and products to make sure that sound is perfect.”

As it has for numerous prestigious performance spaces around the world, Harman continues to provide the ultimate in sonic quality and reliability for critical event spaces.  Harman systems are deployed widely at major sporting events, support the music industry’s most successful tours and are installed in many of the world’s most prestigious and ambitious architectural venues.

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across Harman’s Professional Division and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. Harman International maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

JBL Professional Unveils White Versions of VRX928LA Portable Line Array Loudspeaker and VRX915S Compact Subwoofer

The new white VRX928LA-WH and VRX915S-WH loudspeakers offer system integrators even more design options for environments where aesthetics are a priority.

Bringing more options to installers wishing to visually integrate their audio systems into a variety of environments, JBL Professional is now offering its VRX928LA-WH compact, portable line array loudspeaker and VRX915S-WH subwoofer in a white installation version.

The development of the popular VRX928LA and VRX915S systems in a white version is the result of feedback from systems designers and integrators, who must consider the visual element of a sound system for environments ranging from houses of worship to civic facilities. The VRX928LA-WH and VRX915S-WH models were designed specifically for permanent installations and build on the success of the VRX series, which brings the proven versatility of the JBL VERTEC® series line array to mid-sized venues and portable applications.

“High-quality audio will always stand as the number one priority for JBL, however we recognize the need for our equipment to fit into various environments in a discreet manner,” said Simon Jones, Director of Portable PA Marketing, JBL Professional. “The introduction of this line is a testament to JBL’s commitment to offering a variety of options [including aesthetics] for different product applications.”

The VRX928LA-WH is a lightweight, compact, 8-inch, 2-way, 400-watt line array loudspeaker system that provides line array performance in smaller applications that do not require the long-throw characteristics of its larger, hugely successful sibling, the VRX932LA. The VRX928LA-WH may be flown in arrays of up to six and integral rigging hardware is used to securely lock the array together.

The companion subwoofer VRX915S-WH features a 15-inch, 800-watt direct radiating woofer. It has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the VRX928LA-WH and as such supports the same built-in rigging for efficient, simple and secure installation.

JBL Professional is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com).
Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

Wassmann Audio Video And JBL Loudspeakers Blend Audio With Excitement At Multiple Six Flags Theme Parks Across The U.S.

Demonstrating the unmatched performance and ease of installation of JBL Control® Contractor loudspeakers and VRX line arrays, Wassmann Audio Video has installed sound systems in 10 Six Flags theme parks across the country. While each location poses its own acoustical challenges, JBL Control 29AV surface-mount loudspeakers and VRX932LA compact line array loudspeakers are prevalent in each park.

Located in Whately, MA, Wassmann Audio Video provides design/build solutions for a variety of applications, including houses of worship, educational environments and corporate spaces. The contracts for the numerous Six Flags locations is rooted in Wassmann’s successful work at Six Flags New England, where the company provided sound systems for all the new rides, 11 zones of park paging, four show systems and all the sound for the Island Kingdom water park.

“When Six Flags decided to upgrade the audio in multiple parks across the country, they toured the different locations and found that the New England park had had the best audio,” said Mark Jarrell of Wassmann Audio Video. “We worked closely with Six Flags corporate manager of park audio Brian Sherlin, who has a pro audio background, to upgrade Six Flags New England. As a result of that project, Brian was promoted and we were hired to handle the sound for the other locations.”

Jarrell collaborated with fellow Wassmann colleagues Jared Menard and Mike Tyburski to upgrade the sound systems for 10 Six Flags locations, relying predominately on the JBL Control 29AV surface-mount loudspeaker. “The Control 29AV isn’t overly large, but it has great sound, lots of bass, and is perfect for background/foreground music and announcements,” Jarrell said. “Also, the service that JBL provides is terrific and they make sure you’re getting as much quality as possible out of your investment.”

Additional, smaller areas of the Six Flags locations contain JBL Control 28 surface-mount loudspeakers, while many of the stage systems feature JBL VRX932LA compact line array loudspeakers. “We’ve had a lot of success with the JBL loudspeakers for these 10 parks, and now we’re concentrating on putting in systems for new rides and filling in some other areas,” Jarrell added. “Next year we’ll be looking at providing sound for many more rides and upgrading some other parks.”

For more information on Wassmann Audio Video, please visit www.wassmannav.com

JBL Professional is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com).
Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”