A “doubled” ISE 2024 for the Tuscan company, at the show with booth 7F300, dedicated to the professional audio solutions of the K-array, Kscape and Kgear brands, and a new space in hall 2 (booth J300), where to meet the smart needs of the residential and nautical sectors
A profoundly different approach to audio, aiming at the “unique” encounter among aesthetics, design and performance, with the Made in Italy touch. These elements are combined and implemented in a renewed presence in the various markets of reference for K-array, Kgear and Kscape. Three brands, three distinct identities, a large pool of technological and architectural proposals.
Objectives of this transformation? To offer solutions already ‘designed’ for the needs of integrators and designers, to create a culture in terms of audio, aesthetics and functionality, to provide complete ecosystems to respond to the main problems of each individual market. On the occasion of the international press conference, on Wednesday 31 January at the booth in Hall 7, we talked about this evolution to Andrea Torelli, Global Marketing & Communications Director at K-array.
“We have made a huge effort in terms of sales and marketing reorganization” he explains. “Proof of this is the decision to be here, for the first time, with a second stand dedicated to residential solutions. Of course, this vein was already in our DNA, since our proposals have always placed special emphasis on design. We wanted in some way to officially bring the professionalism and quality of projects of the calibre of Teatro alla Scala in Milan to residential integration and to the yacht industry. Both are driven by system integrators and designers with very different needs”. The Italian market embraced this diversification and, today, K-array can reach a wide audience of architects. “Figures who increasingly understand the importance of designing complete experiences, not only in appearance, focusing on the acoustic needs of spaces, and of those who use them, also thanks to functional and ready-to-use technologies”, adds Andrea Torelli.
Technological novelties
We start with K-array, which presents the new Prisma series. Digital matrices and amplifiers designed for applications requiring advanced routing and signal processing capabilities. Powered by K-array’s OsKar operating system, Prisma handles up to 16 inputs and 16 outputs (analogue and Dante) and represents an ideal solution for bars, restaurants, clubs, corporate and educational environments, and more.
Kgear focuses instead on the GU210 subwoofer, ideal for fixed installations, especially where discreet audio is needed. It also boasts an IP64 rating, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor installations, and is available in both black and white. Launched in conjunction with the premium subwoofer, the GMX4L mixer is an expansion of GM44L matrix with easy-to-use controls and accessible advanced options, to support more users in commercial, corporate and hospitality applications.
The Kscape brand completes the picture of novelties with Rail S, an alternative created to enhance the audio/lighting combination of the well-known Rail. With a 1.2 metre design, the linear architectural lighting system combines projectors, adjustable optics and additional lighting options with professional audio. Packaged in a single device, Rail S allows audio and light to be integrated without compromising aesthetics. A more compact form factor allows for large-scale installation. In addition, Rail S integrates K-array’s ultra-compact Lyzard KZ1 loudspeakers combined with Casambi lighting control.
Houses, villas and yachts: a booth for residential
The centrepiece of the residential booth is in the large TV screen a K-array 5.1 system, consisting of 2 Vyper-KV52R II (left and right channels), 2 Vyper-KV52RF II (centre) and 2 Vyper-KV25R II (rear), modular line source loudspeakers offering versatility and precision. Powerful basses are provided by Thunder-KSC12P, concealed in the stand’s furnishings. Visitors can thus immerse themselves in an extraordinary and elegant sound experience, which is also easy to install and manage. In short, even for the residential and nautical world, K-array products challenge conventions in terms of aesthetics, performance and quality, even in difficult environmental conditions. Not to mention the possible integration with third party home automation platforms, such as Crestron Home and Control4.
Here, as in the strategy involving all K-array ecosystems, what is important is to provide useful tools for installers in specific markets. “This has also required a change of mentality in marketing,” concludes Andrea Torelli. “We no longer offer catalogues full of lists and products, but rather collections dedicated to reference applications, such as hospitality, residential, nautical, public spaces and art. Professionals appreciate our effort to offer 360-degree solutions, starting from the problems that products can solve and presenting them with a selection of the most useful proposals in specific contexts”.
