Last year, L-Acoustics encouraged users to "amplify differently," unveiling the new LA7.16i amplified controller. Based on years of research and development, LA7.16i significantly improved flexibility and efficiency, the company says, especially in multichannel fixed installation projects. Today, L-Acoustics unveils its road-ready counterpart, the LA7.16 amplified controller for live productions. The LA7.16 amplified controller offers supreme flexibility to meet real-time power needs while offering a level of efficiency and sustainability unheard of in modern touring applications. The high-density format -- 16x16 architecture in a 2U design -- powers more line array speakers than any similar-size amplifier, meaning fewer racks on tour. This, in turn, translates directly to energy and time savings, along with the ability to address multichannel and hybrid productions, while offering a level of efficiency and sustainability required in modern touring applications. The high-density format saves space, weight, and time in deployment.

LA7.16 responds perfectly to the amplification needs of L Series, the company says, whose L2 and L2D elements contain 20 drivers and require 16 high-power amplifier channels and 16 state-of-the-art DSP channels. LA7.16 boasts a touch screen and an encoder wheel to rapidly set up initial parameters and a single SC32 connector on the rear for connecting loudspeakers. Using new connection accessories, LA7.16 powers any L-Acoustics line source array up to K2.

The new LA-RAK III touring rack houses three LA7.16 amplified controllers boasting 48 amplification channels and 48 individual DSP channels totaling more than 60,000W of peak power in a 9U rack, with two LS10 switches to support Milan AVB seamless redundancy.

Current amplifier technology is dimensioned to power all channels simultaneously over extended periods of time. However, in real-world applications, this kind of demand is rare. The LA7.16 amplified controller technology delivers power more efficiently and uses energy more effectively.

"LA7.16, with its best-in-market efficiency, is the perfect partner to the newly launched L Series," says Scott Sugden, director of product management, electronics at L-Acoustics. "The power capacity and energy efficiency are breakthroughs in design and will help rental providers to deploy faster and realize real-life economies in transport and deployment."

LA7.16 uses L-SMART, a suite of advanced power management technologies that allows designers to mix and match any L-Acoustics loudspeaker onto one amplifier. L-SMART uses proprietary predictive modeling algorithms to manage the power supply unit (PSU) and the individual amplification channels. Hardware sensors within the amplifier supply real-time information, which is analyzed by the DSP to dynamically match the loudspeaker system needs. The PSU then provides extremely high short-term peak power, or lower power over longer hold times. This energy is delivered intelligently to the advanced Class-D output stages, assuring optimum system performance at all times. LA7.16 can drive any L-Acoustics loudspeakers up to K2, enabling high-resolution amplification and processing of large-format speakers with less system budget.

LA7.16 ships in October 2023. For more information on LA7.16, please visit: www.l-acoustics.com/products/la-rak-iii/.

To view the L-Acoustics Keynote, where LA7.16 was unveiled, please visit: youtu.be/-PtT1EeuH60.