International Design Award for PASSIO Loudspeaker
The aim of the collaboration between N&M and Kling & Freitag was clearly formulated: the specialists from the event technology provider and from the manufacturer of professional sound systems wanted to develop a modern loudspeaker system that did two things. On the one hand, its design had to be a cut above the rest: their priority was a system that was inconspicuous in appearance. On the other hand, they wanted to realise a system with high directivity in relation to its size and also symmetrical directivity. Last but not least, it had to be a loudspeaker that could be quickly installed in any location with the added advantage of low operating and maintenance costs. The collaboration between the two companies resulted in the PASSIO, which was first shown on the Kling & Freitag stand at prolight + sound 2011. Since then, this compact speaker has been used in numerous productions handled both by N&M and various other companies.
Now PASSIO received a very special honour: it was awarded the "Focus in Silver", the Baden-Württemberg International Design Award, by the Design Center Stuttgart in its "Focus Open 2012" competition. On the evening of 12th October, the prizes were handed over at a ceremony in Ludwigsburg. The loudspeaker can be seen at the "Werkzentrum Weststadt" in Ludwigsburg until 25th November along with other award-winning products.
Christoph Lohrer from Kling & Freitag, together with Michael Mandel, N&M's technical director and his colleague Hartmut Bubenzer, were there to collect the award on Friday. "This award is a great recognition of our work," said Hartmut Bubenzer, who was responsible for the exterior design of the PASSIO and for the development and design of the special N&M modular rigging system of the PASSIO at N&M's Stuttgart branch office.
The company aimed to create an aesthetically pleasing and technically sophisticated loudspeaker that blends into its surroundings, regardless of the installation application, thanks to its discreet design. Thus the PASSIO was created, which catches the eye with its completely smooth enclosure. The input connector has been embedded into the recessed back panel to allow inconspicuous cable routing, as has the single centrally located bayonet mounting point for the various rigging system elements. These elements were designed with maximum compactness and maximum flexibility in mind. The universal swivel clamp with integrated spigot for fastening the loudspeakers onto trusses or girders as well as the L-bracket for mounting them on stands both allow seamless angle adjustability and, consequently, precisely directed sound. The mounting elements are locked into position by means of a 90-degree quick release fastener, enabling the PASSIO to be rigged and de-rigged very quickly without sacrificing precision. Apropos: when the PASSIO is suspended in high rooms or halls, an additional flying rod ensures that the centre of gravity can be varied - so that different coverage angles right through to the horizontal can be realised even when working at heights.
Unlike conventional loudspeakers, the top and bottom have a five-degree angle so that the enclosure tapers towards the back. "The shape of the enclosure signals dynamics in the sound emission direction - so that the loudspeaker seems to be opening to the room, towards the audience," Hartmut Bubenzer explains. These were the optical and acoustic virtues with which the PASSIO staked its claim in front of the jury at the Stuttgart Design Center - and with which it secured the vote for the coveted award.
Photo: Josh von Staudach