CYPRESS, Calif. - (October 8, 2015) – Christie®, the world’s dominant brand in the digital cinema projection market, today extended its groundbreaking Christie Vive Audio™ solution with the introduction of the LA2 premium screen channel loudspeaker and the LA3S-3ohm premium surround channel loudspeaker. The speakers continue the Christie Vive tradition of using ribbon-driver technology to provide perfect timbre-matching, enhanced voice intelligibility and low distortion, helping exhibitors “complete the experience” for their moviegoing audiences.

“Our market research shows that the majority of ‘new build’ cinema auditoriums have 250 seats or less,” said Phil Sanchez, senior product manager, Christie. “With the introduction of the LA2 product, Christie is filling the gap between its LA1 / S115 and LA3 / S115 screen channel solutions, price-and-performance wise, for these theaters. 

“The LA3S-3ohm speaker – designed for immersive sound applications – improves our LA3S lineup, achieving a lower impedance that in turn allows a greater sound-pressure level (SPL) from the same amplifier. The LA3S-3ohm is designed specifically for immersive sound applications. Due to its lower impedance, the LA3S-3ohm can achieve greater sound-pressure level (SPL) than an LA3S utilizing the same amplifier,” added Sanchez.

Both products are expected to be available in November.

Impressive Technical, Performance and Price Specifications

The LA2 Line Array completes the family of LA (Line Array) speakers for use in screen channel applications by completing the gap between the LA1 and LA3 speakers. Using the same Vive technology of 3 1/2-inch ribbon drivers and 5 1/4-inch paper/Kevlar mid-bass cone drivers found in the Christie Vive LA1 and LA3 Series, the LA2 Line Array when paired with a S215 subwoofer offers a 35-degree vertical coverage for auditoriums with room lengths of approximately 78 feet (24 meters). 

LA3S-3ohm Line Array Surround Speaker is a well-executed solution to lower overall costs for immersive audio formats such as Dolby® Atmos™ and Auro 11.1. The LA3S-3ohm features the same form factor and Vive technology of 3 1/2-inch ribbon drivers and 5 1/4-inch paper/Kevlar mid-bass cone drivers found in the A3S surround speaker, but with a rated impedance of 3ohm. As a 3-ohm surround speaker, the LA3S-3ohm can utilize a Vive CDA2 amplifier, helping reduce overall system costs while meeting immersive audio surround speaker performance demands.

“In keeping with Christie’s tradition of offering affordable options for a variety of theater layouts, our LA3S-3ohm surround speaker now utilizes a Vive CDA2 amplifier, which reduces overall system costs for immersive audio applications,” said Patrick Artiaga, director of business development, Christie Audio Solutions, “while maintaining the price of the LA3S-3ohm at the LA3S price level, and keeping the LA3S available for installations.”

Designed to support all of the leading cinema audio formats including Dolby Atmos, 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound and Auro 11.1, Christie Vive Audio can be configured to provide the optimal audio solution for any cinema space, from post production studios and screening rooms to traditional auditoriums and premium large formats cinemas. For more information on Christie’s audio initiatives, visit www.viveaudio.com.