Powersoft, the Italian amplifier specialist, has unveiled its newest amplifier platform, Mezzo, at InfoComm 2019 in Orlando.
Powersoft is proud to unveil its latest amplifier platform, Mezzo, designed specifically for the AV/IT market. It features eight amplifier models, each offering different power and connectivity options. Mezzo is ideal for corporate, hospitality and educational environments. The self-configuring amplifier system delivers power and flexibility in a compact, Class-D technology design. Mezzo is easy to set up and can be monitored remotely.
“Until now, AV/IT integrators and end-users might have experienced limited flexibility in existing low power solutions to drive audio in corporate, hospitality and education environments,” says Klas Dalbjörn, product manager, Powersoft. “Our new Mezzo platform delivers the quality and reliability Powersoft is already known for, but with smaller power configurations that are highly adaptable for a range of different fixed installation environments. We recognise there are many system designers and integrators that seldom need more than 250W and can often make do on as little 15W on a channel — Mezzo covers these needs.”
A flexible system
Mezzo includes eight available models with four power sizes. Each offers an option with “A” (Analog) or “AD” (Analog-Digital), which adds Dante/AES67. The power sizes also include a smaller option of 320W in 4 x 80W and 2 x 160W variants, and a larger option of 600W in 4 x 150 or 2 x 300W.
All models are networkable and have an automatic setup for audio parameters, meaning that installation is quick and simple. All of the units also offer load monitoring. This enables users to monitor system parameters such as temperature, power usage and performance over time. These are monitored and controlled via Powersoft’s own Armonía system manager, or through an external control system or a plug-in in a DSP matrix platform.
The AD models include Dante and AES67 integration, and also add an internal Gigabit Ethernet switch and a second port. Multiple products can share the same network cable. This feature is useful for a retrofit, or for sharing a network connection between a projector and an amplifier.
Mezzo is highly flexible and also features power-sharing capabilities. The smaller 320W power sized models can deliver 80/160W per channel into 2, 4, 8 or 16 ohms as well as 100, 70 or 25V. The larger 600W power sized models can deliver 4 x 150W or 2 x 300W, and can drive two 16 ohms as well as 25, 70 or 100V. Each channel has sufficient headroom for power sharing according to the specific installation needs. One model can drive zones of varying sizes, and design changes can be accommodated ‘on the fly’ without having to alter equipment choice.
“The power-sharing capabilities of Mezzo offer the maximum flexibility in allocating power to different channels,” explains Marc Kocks, Powersoft’s Business Development Manager. “Many times, users can be faced with a system that has a couple of very hungry loudspeakers, and then one or two in adjacent areas that don’t require as much power. Mezzo will automatically recognise high impedance and low impedance loads and configure the system to accommodate these variances. This means greater power efficiency and significantly less set up time.”
Easy installation
The system features several installation options. Each unit includes rack mount accessories to fit two units into a standard 19” rack, or 1 unit in an 11” compact rack. It can also stand alone on rubber feet in a credenza, or be wall-mounted. It is quiet and requires no ventilation. Mezzo also delivers enough power to drive many subwoofers. This potentially means significant space savings.
“Many fixed installation environments these days consist of both analogue and digital,” Kocks continues. “Mezzo is perfect for these environments since it can accommodate inputs on both analogue and digital. Further, each Mezzo can be set up as a decentralised unit, enabling each unit to be part of a larger system with local feeds from Dante network. This can lead to massive cost savings in cabling expenses as well as significantly increased monitoring and control functionality. A user can retain full control over features as if it was a centralised rig.”
Powersoft also introduced another new product earlier this year. The compact transducer, Mover, can be used as a linear motor/shaker in 4D cinemas, theme parks and other venues with vibrating acoustic floors.
