New Genelec 4430 Loudspeaker Debuts Smart IP Tech

Genelec has announced the availability of the new 4430 two-way active installation loudspeaker, the first model to incorporate the company’s Smart IP technology, combining exceptional sound quality with single cable convenience. Smart IP provides scalable power, as well as audio and loudspeaker configuration, supervision and calibration features via a standard CAT cable – offering integrators power, flexibility, cost-effectiveness and simplicity of installation.

The 4430 is a compact design that accepts both Dante and AES67 IP audio streams, and derives power via both PoE and PoE+ Power-over-Ethernet formats, with the 4430’s proprietary internal power supply helping to deliver an impressive 104 dB of short-term SPL, via two integral 50 W Class D amplification stages feeding the woofer and tweeter. As well as receiving both power and audio-over-IP, the 4430’s single rear panel CAT connector also allows access to Genelec’s Smart IP Manager – a sophisticated downloadable software tool running on Windows 10 that allows installers to configure an almost unlimited number of rooms, zones, loudspeakers and audio channels, and includes device discovery, a versatile room equalisation tool set, system organisation and status monitoring. Additionally, APIs within the 4430 support the hooks to allow external control via third-party hardware, software or house automation.

In terms of specification, the 4430 supports up to eight audio channels in a stream with sample rates of 32 – 96 kHz and 16 – 24-bit resolution. Streams can be managed by both Dante Controller and Dante Domain Manager software, as well as legacy balanced line analog audio. The 4430 delivers a frequency response of 45 Hz – 23 kHz (-6 dB) via a 5-inch woofer and 3/4-inch metal dome tweeter, and the 4430’s compact, lightweight enclosure utilises Genelec’s trademark Minimum Diffraction Enclosure and Directivity Control Waveguide technologies to ensure neutral, uncoloured sound both on- and off-axis.    

Manufactured using certified sustainable methods, the enclosure itself is produced from recycled aluminium, is available in black, white or 120 custom RAL colours, and is compatible with Genelec’s extensive range of mounting accessories to allow the 4430 to be floor-, ceiling-, wall- or truss-mounted.

Genelec has chosen to officially launch the 4430 at the spectacular new Finnish Music Hall of Fame in Helsinki – a unique and innovative museum and dining experience that already features over 120 of the new 4430 loudspeakers installed throughout the museum. Showcasing more than 200 Finnish artists and composers via the newest AV technology combined with Virtual and Augmented Reality solutions, the Music Hall of Fame will provide an unforgettable interactive, multidimensional experience for an estimated 100,000 visitors per year.    

The installation at the Hall of Fame was undertaken by top integrator Bright, whose Head of Installation Santtu Sipilä commented, “When Smart IP was announced, we knew instantly that it offered the perfect solution for the Hall of Fame. We were already familiar with Genelec’s outstanding audio quality and long-term reliability, so to be able to integrate every 4430 into the system via a single CAT cable made the whole process of installation and configuration incredibly straightforward, yet provides us with amazing levels of control. We have set out to help make the Music Hall of Fame a new global benchmark for quality content and user experience, and Genelec’s Smart IP technology has played a key role in allowing us to realize that goal.”   

Genelec Managing Director Siamäk Naghian added, “Our research into IP loudspeaker technology dates back to 2005, and the response to the preview of Smart IP at ISE back in February was so overwhelmingly positive that we knew that this valuable work would now allow us to fulfill a very obvious gap in the installed audio market. The 4430 is just the first of a number of loudspeaker models to incorporate Smart IP technology, and we look forward to expanding the range in 2020 and beyond. For the Finnish Music Hall of Fame to become such a prestigious early adopter of Smart IP makes us very proud, and even more excited for the future of our installed audio business.”    

The 4430 loudspeaker is shipping now.