QSC's exit from cinema is just about complete (including DCA amplifiers)

[Marcel Birgelen]

Adding to Steve's list, here a bunch of Cinema related companies doing "Cinema Audio", but are also focussed on the European market:

• Kelkonik Cinema Sound (KCS): While not as prolific as QSC and JBL, KCS speakers and amps are found all over European cinemas. They offer a wide range of speakers and amplifiers, mostly targeted at commercial cinema. They're headquartered in Spain (although you have to be careful to call Barcelona Spain ). More info: https://kcsspeakers.com/
• Alcons Audio: A niche audio company operating from the Netherlands, with a broad range of speakers. Have done projects all over the world, including some high-profile cinema installs. More info: https://www.alconsaudio.com
• MAG Cinema: Already mentioned by Steve, but they have a dedicated European division. More info: https://mag-cinema.com
• Fohhn: Operating from Germany, producing full rang audio solutions including speakers and amps for specialty venues, including cinema. More info: https://www.fohhn.com/
• Procella: Operating from the Netherlands, offering audio and lightning solutions for cinema and theater, ranging from screening rooms to large, special venues. More info: https://www.procella.audio
• Flexound: Operating from Finland, Flexound offers "augmented audio", which is an "in seat" technology. Haven't experienced it myself yet, but knows that it exists. More information: https://www.flexound.com
• Cinemeccanica: Operating from Italy and carrying the flag from the company we know from the film era, Cinemeccanica sells everything for cinema, except the movie itself.They're especially known for their relatively affordable laser-upgrades of Xenon machines. More info: https://www.cinemeccanica.eu/

[Steve Guttag]

I like that KCS is offering a "ball" type coaxial surround speaker, similar to Dolby/SLS' MA390C. For me, they have been great for Top Surrounds, where can be quite the challenge to keep the light beam away from the speaker.

MAG has something similar but instead of a yolk mount, it is a pivot so the speaker gets lower (closer/into the beam) as you point the speaker further back. With a yolk mount, its a ball. No matter which way you turn/aim it, it doesn't get any lower.

In the drawing below, you can see the projection beam (yellow), my protection/buffer line (grey dashes) and the speaker and how close it can get:

image.png

TS2 is right on my safety buffer line. The projector had to be raised reasonably high to clear the seating in the back rows (2.5m in the USA). It is a delicate balance.

[Marcel Birgelen]

Those top-speakers infringing into the projection beam is a common issue, especially in modern multiplexes, with common-height screens that run essentially from bottom to ceiling, there is often very little clearance.

Before it was acquired by Dolby and essentially turned into Dolby Atmos, KSC developed a very special ceiling speaker on a pole for Imm Sound (also from Barcelona). It was an omni-directional "pole mount" speaker, you can see some of them in the picture below. Those could also could be partially sunk into the ceiling.

120424-immsound.jpg