Overview

At the heart of Meyer Sound’s EXP line of cinema products is the Acheron high-performance screen channel loudspeaker. Optimized for installation behind perforated screens, the two-way loudspeaker combines the advantages of self-powered technology and innovative horn design to deliver exceptional, precise coverage for the left, right, and center sound channels of cinema.

The Acheron loudspeaker is available in two full-range models: the Acheron 100, with a 100° horizontal by 50° vertical horn, which is ideal for wide theaters; and the Acheron 80, with an 80° horizontal by 50° vertical horn, which is suitable for narrower theaters and re-recording stages.

The Acheron horn was specifically designed for cinema use and features a very soft roll-off outside the extremely well-behaved coverage angle. The horn is fixed within the enclosure to ensure an accurate acoustic crossover, phase response, and an incredibly consistent vertical pattern between the low and high frequencies. The Acheron’s 580 Hz crossover point places most of the dialog in the horn, which is ideal for cinema applications.

Boasting a frequency response of 38 Hz to 17 kHz at ±4 dB, as well as a linear peak SPL of 135 dB with crest factor of 18.5 dB (measured with M-noise) with very low distortion, the Acheron stands up to the most demanding of digital soundtracks, maintaining a wide dynamic range and full fidelity. Designed and manufactured at Meyer Sound’s headquarters in Berkeley, California, the Acheron’s drivers include one 15-inch low-frequency neodymium magnet cone driver and one high-frequency 4-inch diaphragm compression driver. The drivers yield uncompromising quality and full bandwidth, making the Acheron suitable for small and medium theaters, re-recording stages, and production and postproduction facilities.

The Acheron’s sophisticated onboard amplification produces consistent and predictable results in any system design. The proprietary Meyer Sound power amplifier is a two-channel, class AB/H amplifier with complementary MOSFET output stages that yields a total output of 1685 W (3370 W peak). Built-in signal processing includes an electronic crossover and correction filters—to achieve a flat phase and frequency response—along with driver protection circuitry. The self-powered design not only ensures consistent results but also simplifies installation in both new and existing rooms.

The optional RMS™ remote monitoring system allows comprehensive monitoring of system parameters from a host computer running Compass® software.

Strategically placed 3/8-inch threaded points on the side corners of the Acheron cabinet allow the unit to be fixed to floors with uptilt or downtilt using optional mounting brackets. The Acheron can also be mounted on top of the Acheron LF loudspeaker, also with uptilt or downtilt, using optional stacking brackets.

Features and Benefits

• Small footprint and narrow width are ideal for small venues or fill applications
• Amazing power-to-size ratio
• Exceptional linearity and transient reproduction at any level, high peak power output, and extremely low distortion
• Self-powered to simplify setup and increase reliability
• Flexible rigging for flown and ground-stacked arrays
• Integrates easily with Meyer Sound’s 750-LFC, 900-LFC, and LEOPARD loudspeakers

Applications

• Small to medium-sized theaters
• Larger theaters with use of Acheron LF
• Re-recording stages
• Production and postproduction studios

Acheron LF Loudspeaker

The Acheron LF loudspeaker can be paired with the Acheron 80 or Acheron 100 screen channel loudspeaker to deliver the low-frequency headroom required by larger theaters. The self-powered Acheron LF with dual 15-inch drivers boosts the headroom on the LCR channels, converting each Acheron loudspeaker to a system with three low-frequency drivers in an aligned column.

The unique multi-way, gradated design offers smooth coverage and maximum low-frequency impact with all drivers active at the lowest frequencies and each rolling off, one at a time, via the integral active crossover. This technique eliminates interference between drivers that would otherwise occur at shorter wavelengths, enabling the system to maintain ideal polar, phase, and frequency responses throughout the low and low-mid operating ranges. As a result, the system can deliver the necessary power to completely fill a large theater with rich, clean sound, thereby ensuring that the full intensity and nuance so carefully crafted into today’s movie soundtracks reach every listener without compromise.

The Acheron LF was designed exclusively for use with Acheron loudspeakers. The Acheron LF’s 37 Hz to 370 Hz operating frequency range and 133 dB linear peak SPL were carefully chosen to compliment the Acheron. The Acheron LF also features the same high-power 15-inch cone driver used in the low frequency section of the Acheron. Engineered to deliver optimum performance, the high-excursion, back-vented drivers include 4-inch voice coils and are housed in a tuned, vented enclosure that shares the same rectangular footprint as the Acheron.

The Acheron LF is powered by an onboard two-channel class AB/H amplifier with complementary MOSFET output stages. Total output power is 2250 W (4500 W peak) and provides the system with enough headroom to easily accommodate the extreme demands of digital soundtracks.

The optional RMS™ remote monitoring system allows comprehensive monitoring of system parameters from a host computer running Compass® software.

Strategically placed 3/8-inch threaded points on the side corners of the Acheron LF cabinet allow the unit to be mounted to floors with optional mounting brackets. The Acheron 100 and Acheron 80 can be mounted on top of the Acheron LF with uptilt or downtilt with optional stacking brackets.

Specifications