NEXO ID84 Column Speaker

Packed with technical innovations, including a patent-pending HF arrangement, the ID84 is a performance loudspeaker which offers an outstanding Peak SPL output of 135dB, and a frequency response of 90Hz-20kHz. With its smooth and musical sonic signature, the ID84 stands apart from other column speakers on the market, equally competent at speech and music reinforcement, and able to perform as a front-of-house reinforcement system in its own right.

This slender metre-high package is presented with two companion products, a low-frequency extension module (ID84L) and a partner subbass (IDS312), which can easily be configured to provide an innovative scalable solution for acoustically challenging architectures. Potential markets include all kinds of public spaces, particularly transport hubs, houses of worship, theatres and sports venues.

The Column

Weighing just 15kg, the ID84 measures 990mm x 150mm x 215mm. For the first time, NEXO engineers have crafted a rigid lightweight enclosure out of aluminium, with a steel spine to host the rigging system and facilitate the hanging of multiple cabinets. Magnelis side covers and front grille complete the sleek contemporary aesthetic, which is available as standard in black or white, with custom RAL colour options to match any installation environment.

In the 2-way passive box are eight of NEXO’s powerful 4” long-excursion Neodymium LF drivers, and eight 1” HF drivers in a unique arrangement which maximises the efficiency of these units. Joseph Carcopino, NEXO’s Director of R&D, explains that this patent-pending arrangement “makes a big difference to the acoustic characteristics of the ID84. For the first time, we are using dome tweeters instead of compression drivers. These have very low distortion, and by using multiple units in this particular shape, we can achieve the desired efficiency as well as a very high quality sound.”

The Coverage

The ID84 offers smooth even coverage that can be tightly controlled by switchable dispersion. The user has a choice of two vertical directivities, selected by a switch on the back plate, offering with +0/-10 degrees ‘Narrow Mode’ or +0/-25 degrees ‘Wide Mode’ dispersion for 100 degrees horizontal coverage. Dedicated presets are available for each directivity.

ID84 shares the same phase response as other NEXO loudspeakers, making it extremely easy to partner with different models, for example, for side fill or front fill, without risk of comb filtering or the need for complex electronic adjustment.

The Configuration

The unique design of the ID84 achieves superb versatility by enabling two modules to be coupled “head to toe” to increase throw, with each module keeping its own directivity options. Because the HF arrangement is located at one end of the ID84 column, inverting the second cabinet enables all the HF to be kept in the middle of the 2-metre line, ensuring perfect coupling.

For long-throw applications requiring even longer lines, the ID84L low-frequency extension cabinet can increase the possibilities of the ID84. This powerful speaker extension has almost exactly the same footprint as the ID84, and contains eight 4” LF components. By doubling the line length, the vertical directivity of the assembly is increased in the low frequencies, leaving horizontal directivity unchanged. By coupling four units (2x ID84 with 2x ID84L), the HF arrangements can be paired at two mid-points, producing cardioid radiation down to 90Hz. This yields an exceptional level of control of coverage from a 4-metre speaker assembly.

The Cost

Nominal impedance for the ID84 is 4 Ohms. Eight ID84s can be powered by one NXAMP4x1Mk2, which is NEXO’s primary amplifier recommendation, or a single ID84 per channel of any professional amplifier partnered with the NEXO DTDcontroller.

By exploiting a combination of mechanical steering and passive filtering, the ID84 is able to offer some of the benefits of beam steering whilst keeping system costs down through the economical use of amplifier channels.

The Character

“Even though we could call this an ‘industrial monitor’, it has a very hi-fi sound,” says Joseph Carcopino. “If it is used in a FOH application, we can provide set-ups which give a very smooth and easy listening musical character. The ID84 can stand alone on a specially-designed base plate, or on the dedicated sub, a 3x 12”, which is high enough to position the HF of the ID84 at the optimum height. The minimal footprint and homogeneity of appearance will give it aesthetic appeal for small stages.”

The IDS312 sub weighs 31kg and measures 1160mm x 380mm x 350mm. Frequency response is 40Hz-120Hz and output is 138dB Peak SPL. It uses three high-excursion Neodymium drivers in a bass-reflex enclosure design. The crossover between the IDS312 and ID84 has been designed to extend both the frequency response of the main speaker and the directivity by acting like a homogenous 2-metre high sound source.

The ID84, ID84L and IDS312 are available in Installation, Touring and TIS versions. Connectivity is made through cable gland and captive two-core cables, and the Installation version is IP54-rated.