Sonodyne is an Indian brand many of us (and some of our parents) grew up with, and my earliest memories of the brand date back to the late '80s/ early '90s, when I used to regularly visit an uncle in Kolkata who was a big fan of the brand and its single-minded focus on recreating music "as the artist intended". Fast forward to 2024, and while the brand continues to serve the serious audiophile and pro-studio markets, it's their Bluetooth wireless speaker range that caught my eye, specifically the most powerful in their range, the aptly named Malhar (after the raga , Malhar which, as the myth goes, has the power to induce thunder and rain). Not one for slimline aesthetics, the Malhar resembles a cajón (or a clapbox as many may know it), an immediate throwback to when audio equipment was engineered for producing clean sound, first and foremost. With its wooden cabinet, classic aesthetics and all, the 8-kilogram Malhar is pleasing on the eye, but it demands pride of place — it's not one to disappear into the décor. Around the front are two 5" glass-fiber cone drivers accompanied by two 1" tweeters, and the sides have two 5" passive radiators. Inputs are all clustered towards the rear, with optical, aux, USB ports along with a handy 5V DC USB port to charge a phone while it's connected to the speaker. Controls to switch between these inputs and change tracks/volume are all on the top and are mirrored on the supplied remote. No buttons to fiddle around with bass/treble settings (intentionally so to retain the original feel of the track), and I would have preferred the indicator LEDs to be more visible, so you know the speaker is on or which input is selected. No app or Wi-Fi connectivity, which one starts expecting at this price point. Any reservations you may have had subside the moment you start playing music on the Malhar. Irrespective of genre, the speaker stands up and delivers, with a balanced sonic signature that accurately renders the highs, mids and lows without colouring the audio, so to speak. Streaming tracks as varied as Simon and Garfunkel to the Beach Boys to some of AR Rahman's classics, Malhar reproduces the tracks damn near flawlessly across its wide 40Hz – 20kHz frequency range. Throw in some punchier tracks and bump up the volume, and you really have to wake up the neighbours before the speaker starts showing the slightest hint of distortion at the top end. Worth noting as well is the expansive soundstage and the open quality to the playback. At its price, Malhar is likely to appeal to audio purists, and despite its name, this truly is a speaker for all seasons. The 'Made in India since 1970' is bonus appeal. Rating: 8/10 Price: INR 37,500
Home > Professional > Installed Sound > Conference Systems > Main Controller > SYNC > SYNC 1001
SYNC 1001
Main Controller Unit
This is the main controller of the IP based Conference System. It allows for seamless conferencing of up to 180 conference microphones in conjuction with the SyNC 4001 power extender. By connecting a separate data extender unit with SyNC 1001, up to 1000 conference units can be connected. It supplies power to all conference units and is also the connection and control bridge between the system hardware and the system application software. The system controller can set the IP address, has a TCP/IP network interface, can connect to a wireless router, and use computers in the same local area network to set the operation of the host. It features a built-in high-performance CPU processor with fast processing speed and high quality audio. It has a host of DSP enabled functions for setup and can control upto 8 cameras. With USB based recording and host of IOs, the rack mountable SyNC 1001 forms the core of modern day digital conferencing.
Warranty
2 Years
Supports discussion, video tracking, sign-in and voting functions.
5” full-view IPS capacitive touch screen, intuitive display and easy adjustment of system parameters
Connections can be done by 8-core T- cable or CAT6 network
The main unit supports upto 120 microphones on 8 core T cable and 60 microphones on CAT-6 cable . It supports bilateral power supply of microphone units, and supports hot-plugging of microphone units. Transmission will not have any impact on sound quality
The main unit can be connected to power extender units to increase the no. of conference units. The power extender unit SyNC 4001 can drive up to 45 conference units through 8-core T-cable. 4 such power extender units can be connected, allowing up to 180 conference units to be connected to a single controller. By connecting a separate data extender unit with SyNC 1001 up to 1000 microphone unit can be connected.
The unit adopts “hand in hand” connection mode, which supports hot plugging. This is convenient for installation and maintenance
Settings for various discussions modes can be done based on 5 available modes - FIFO (first in, first out mode), APPLY (application mode), FREE (free mode), LIMIT (restricted mode), VOICE (voice control mode)
It features a speaker limit function and a speaking time limit function. The speaker limit function can limit the maximum number of units that can speak at the same time (can be set to 1-8 different numbers), with the exception of the chairman unit. The Speaking time limit function can limit the speaking time of the speaking unit (can be set to 0-1000 seconds), with regular shutdown and automatic shutdown, with the exception of the chairman unit.
Headphone and microphone volume of all conference unit can be adjusted from main controller unit at a time.
Automatic Camera tracking can be done via “SONY VISCA, PELCO P, PELCO D” communication protocols through built-in RS232/RS-485 ports via 3-PIN Phoenix connector
Up to 8 Cameras can be connected. Automatic switching of camera is supported for 4 cameras by connecting video output of cameras to 4 HDMI inputs. The switched HDMI output can be connected to monitor. If no of cameras exceeds 4, external video switcher needs to be used, with control through special protocol available from RS232 PORT
Effective voting can be realized via display screen on microphone unit with no need of external computer or visual aid (“yes/abstain/no”)
Service function is built-in. The speaking unit can apply for tea, coffee, paper, pen, service personnel and other services
The anti-interference circuit design prevents all mobile phone signal interference
There is a DSP-based 32-band on board parametric equaliser for room calibration and also automatic feedback suppression
Recording can be done in high quality wav format by using an external USB drive which can be plugged into USB-A receptacle on the front panel
Outputs are 1 balanced 3P Phoenix connector, 1 balanced XLR connector, 1 unbalanced 3P Phoenix connector, 1 unbalanced 6.35mm phone jack and 3 unbalanced RCA jacks, for connecting to sound reinforcement or recording equipment.
Inputs are 1 unbalanced 2P Phoenix connector and 1 unbalanced RCA connectors for connecting line level output of source equipment.
There is an alarm signal input interface (alarm voltage interface +1 2P Phoenix interface alarm audio input port). When the public address alarm system starts, it can automatically pause the conference and send alarm information to the participating units.
The controller can be also controlled via a provided app running on Microsoft Windows OS computer through a USB-B type connector or via IP address
An RS-232 and RS-485 port is provided for full control of the controller through serial communication protocol. There are 22 control codes for full control of all functions.
The unit complies with IEC60914, GBT15381-94 international standards
It can be installed in a standard 2 RU 19” rack space
NOTE: Due to continuous improvements, all specifications are subject to change
- Product LiteratureDownload
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