Meyer Sound has announced PANTHER, a new flagship linear line array loudspeaker engineered for large-scale touring and installed systems and designed to provide acoustic output that’s closer to the significantly larger and heavier LEO line array while occupying the more slender form factor of the LYON line array.
Each PANTHER module weighs 150 pounds (68 kg) and is designed to offer substantial savings on current draw in comparison to the company’s previous generation flagship line array loudspeaker. A dual analog/Milan AVB network input module supplies flexible signal distribution options and each cabinet comes standard with an IP55 weather protection rating.
“This is our most significant loudspeaker introduction in more than a decade,” says John Meyer, president & CEO of Meyer Sound. “PANTHER advances my commitment to making loudspeakers with linear response, predictable coverage, and extended headroom for dynamic, uncompressed music reproduction — transient peaks in particular. Essentially, PANTHER produces nearly the same power and headroom as LEO in the footprint of LYON. I’m proud of how our engineers achieved ambitious performance benchmarks while reducing weight and increasing energy efficiency.”
The electronics module in PANTHER is a new, lighter weight design incorporating a four-channel Class D amplifier coupled to an advanced power supply. With power factor correction and higher voltage rails, the new amplifier package is stated to deliver higher peak current to the loudspeakers while presenting a stable load to the AC line.
PANTHER is also outfitted with longer-excursion 12-inch low-frequency cone drivers combined with a new LF port design and new 3-inch compression drivers. Each incorporates advanced magnet structures using new materials designed to deliver higher flux density despite substantial weight reduction. Stated maximum peak output is more than 150 dB SPL.
“With PANTHER, we excelled with a full system design approach,” says Katie Murphy, Meyer Sound engineering director, acoustical & mechanical (pictured directly below). “We had the electrical and mechanical engineers working in a coordinated effort, which meant we could leverage reduced amplifier and transducer weight with new cabinet designs and materials to further reduce weight. Everybody was in sync at every step to achieve our goals.”
Reduced weight means that more PANTHER loudspeakers can be flown on a single motor, and larger arrays can share the same truss and hang points. Also, larger and longer arrays can be flown outdoors while complying with new safety regulations related to wind events. Shipping costs can also reduced, particularly when air transport is required. The weight and size reduction is also stated to contribute to less CO2 emissions during transportation.
The PANTHER family consists of three cabinets with different horizontal coverage patterns. PANTHER-M and PANTHER-W are 95 and 110 degrees, respectivelly, while PANTHER-L offers a new long-throw horn with a tightly defined 80-degree horizontal pattern. Three options allow system designers to more precisely tailor coverage in any size venue with uniform response from front to back.
Additional highlights:
— Certified Milan AVB Input Standard: By incorporating Meyer Sound’s new Avnu Alliance-certified Milan input module, PANTHER is world’s first Milan Certified line array loudspeaker, extending Milan-based networked systems all the way to the loudspeaker cabinet, while the always-active parallel analog input helps assure backward compatibility with existing hardware.
— Weather Protection Standard: PANTHER is weather protected to the new IEC IP55 standard with full rain protection when using mating Neutrik TOP series signal and powerCON connectors. No rain hood is required. With standard weather protection, the same cabinets can be used for indoor or outdoor events with no special preparations required.
The new PANTHER linear line array loudspeaker will go into production and ship in February 2022. United Kingdom-based rental company Major Tom Ltd., one of the initial launch partners, will deploy PANTHER on Ed Sheeran’s 2022 + – = ÷ x (“Mathematics”) Tour.
“Everybody on the team really came together and put their hearts and souls into this project,” Murphy says. “We went all out to create a loudspeaker that would define line array technology for years to come.”
“We see PANTHER as more than just a new product, but as something that adds a new dimension to what we are doing as a company,” concludes John Meyer. “It has the potential to change the path we are on in the sound industry. I’m excited to see how industry professionals — and, more importantly, audiences — respond to it.”
Go here for more specifics about PANTHER, and go here to see the product launch event.
