The SpectraPulse^™ Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless mic system from Audio-Technica (www.audio-technica.com) offers near-hard-wired performance without concerns about RF competition, frequency coordination, white-space issues or infringement from other wireless systems. Rather than conventional carrier frequencies, UWB uses a series of nanosecond pulses within the 6GHz spectrum. The company's first UWB product is SpectraPulse, designed for conferences, courtrooms, boardrooms and more. The company eventually sees UWB wireless also coming into pro sound reinforcement, but in the meantime, more info — including white papers on the technology — is available at the company's Website.

The Spectran HF4040 from Kaltman Creations LLC (www.kaltmancreationsllc.com) is said to be the world's first low-cost, handheld, field RF spectrum analyzer that addresses channel selection, interference identification, RF system monitoring, testing and exposure limits. The HF4040's frequency range is 10 MHz to 4 GHz, ideal for analyzing VHF, UHF and 2.4GHz environments. In addition to frequency-sweep readings and signal-strength readouts, the unit features display markers to indicate the three strongest peaks and their frequencies during each sweep; Zoom, for narrowing the frequency span to 100 kHz; and the ability to perform data logging and long-term peak-hold recording. Ten (user-configurable) hot keys are set to address the more popular U.S. RF bands: wireless mics, Wi-Fi, assisted listening, Telco/cellular, intercom and radio/TV. The system is priced at less than $1,400, and includes PC software for enhanced visual monitoring, a HyperLOG 700MHz to 2.5GHz directional antenna (other directional antennas available), mini-tripod stand and more.

Wireless versions of AKG's (www.akg.com) C5 and D5 vocal mics are now available. The new C5 WL1 condenser and D5 WL1 dynamic mics offer two interchangeable capsule heads for the HT 4000 handheld unit as part of the WMS 4000 wireless system. Offering up to 1,200 selectable UHF frequencies, the WMS 4000 system comprises the SR 4000 receiver, HT 4000 handheld transmitter and a PT 4000 bodypack transmitter. The fully HiQnet-compatible WMS 4000 features a backlit display, battery life indicator, Silent mode, environment scan, auto-setup frequency search and rehearsal functions.

Nady (www.nady.com) releases the PSW 18A ($869.95) and the stereo powered SSW-15A ($639.95) subwoofers. The PSW 18A combines an 18-inch woofer and a 1,200W amp for a max 123dB SPL. It has balanced XLR and ¼-inch inputs, adjustable 20 to 500Hz response, recessed handles and black carpet covering. The SSW-15A uses three internal amps to power a 15-inch woofer (300W) and two optional, external, two-way speaker cabs (2×160W). It has separate volume controls for all three outputs, a passive lowpass filter, separate left and right TRS balanced inputs, and parallel outputs.

The Sygma line from Renkus-Heinz (www.renkus-heinz.com) comprises high-performance, installation-specific cabinets. Self-powered SG models can connect to RHAON, the company's Ethernet-based audio operations network, via each cabinet's built-in PF Series Intelligent Digital Amplifier. The SGX Sygma models are designed for use with external amps. Initial offerings in the series range include the two-way coaxial SGX41, with a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter, the SG61 and SGX61 — with a 6.5-inch woofer and 1-inch titanium HF driver on a 150×60-degree complex conic horn — and the SG/SGX42, a stair-step/stage lip loudspeaker with dual 4-inch/1-inch drivers. Three full-range, two-way, multi-angled cabinets include the SG/SGX81 (8-inch woofer, 120×60-degree complex conic horn), SG/SG121 (12-inch woofer, 90×60-degree horn) and SG/SGX151 (15-inch woofer, 90×40-degree horn). A Windows GUI implements advanced network features such as half/quarter-latency modes of CobraNet, and drag-and-drop signal routing. RHAON lets users assign each speaker to one of 64 audio channels; control parametric EQ, delay and compression via onboard DSP; and monitor the amp/drivers.