The NAMM Show in California is the first public outing for NEXO’s new GEO M12 line array, the top-of-the-line addition to the hugely successful GEO M family of sound reinforcement systems by the French manufacturer. ‘The Big Twelve’ will make its performing debut on the NAMM Yamaha Grand Plaza Stage in Anaheim.
Sharing the same aesthetic design and sonic signatures as the other models in the GEO M Series, the GEO M12 promises to deliver all the NEXO hallmarks of power, flexibility, coverage and superb sonic performance in a thoroughly modern package. Launched together with the MSUB18 companion subbass cabinet, the GEO M12 is aimed primarily at the mid-size rental company, although its competitive pricing will make it a popular investment for all types of user, from corporate presentation to live performance venues to houses of worship.
The GEO M12 takes its place at the upper end of NEXO’s current line-up of line array designs, the new head of a family that includes the GEO M10 and GEO M6 mid-size and compact systems. “The Big Twelve is a logical complement to our M Series range,” explains NEXO Sales Director Denis Baudier, “it is packed with design features that we premiered on the GEO M10, and also benefits from patented technological and structural innovations that derive from our flagship STM Series modular line array.”
GEO M12 is more powerful than NEXO’s earlier 12” line array cabinet, the GEO S12, which remains in the catalogue. Launched in 2007, nearly 40,000 GEO S12 boxes have been sold to date, with the specialist long-throw S12-ST version becoming a common sight in large sporting stadia and arena around the world. “S12 is a typically hard-working NEXO product, but 10 years on, we are now releasing a 12” cabinet which offers 4dB more max SPL.”
The M12 line array module, which contains a premium 12” Neodymium LF driver paired with 1.4” titanium diaphragm HF driver, is offered with two vertical dispersions, the 10° GEO M1210 and the 20° GEO M1220. Horizontal directivity is 80° by default for both modules, but, by adding an optional Configurable Directivity Device (the NEXO-patented CDDä), it can be changed in seconds to 120°, using a magnetic fixing system.
The M12 modules are 370mm x 700mm x 446mm, and weigh 34kg. The two-way module will deliver a frequency response of 50Hz-20kHz with nominal peak SPL of 140dB. “Using the single driver architecture that we deployed successfully in the GEO M10, we can deliver better LF extension, interference-free coverage in the MF range and better SPL output,” says François Deffarges, Director of NEXO’s Engineering Support Division. “This means that line arrays like GEO M10 and now GEO M12 can be very cost-effective: I believe the GEO M12 is going to surprise a lot of people with the power it offers at this price point.”
The enclosures use the same honeycomb structure and urethane co-polymer material first used in NEXO’s STM Series cabinets, and carry a full complement of patented technology, including the Hyperbolic Reflective Wavesource (HRWä) and Phase Directivity Device (PDDä), as well as a new and improved version of the patented V-shaped profile of the bass port.
GEO M12 allows maximum flexibility in use. A protected switch on the rear of the M12 module allows the user to change the box, on the fly, from 2-way passive to 2-way active mode, without having to open the box. NXAMP can also be configured on the fly to match M12 in active or passive mode. This consideration for the working engineer has a NEXO hallmark, enabling modules to be adjusted without tools to gain improved horizontal coverage.
Rigging hardware is integrated, with no loose parts. The AutoRigä system automatically connects the front rigging system when speakers are assembled, with a guided back rigging system for easy angle adjustment. Perfect coverage is achieveable with a choice of 11 angles between cabinets, in arrays of up to 12 boxes, indoors or outdoors. A new hardware accessory, the Mini-Stack, allows three M12 cabinets to be placed on top of an MSUB18 to make a powerful groundstack. Another new accessory enables GEO M10 modules to be stacked on top of the MSUB18.
Although the GEO M12 is partnered by the dedicated sub bass cabinet, the MSUB18, it shares the same phase response as other NEXO speakers, so it can be teamed with any NEXO sub without requiring complex adjustment.
As is standard with any NEXO product, amplification is via NEXO’s NXAMP4x4 TDcontroller, running with up to three M12 cabinets per channel. The system can be controlled over a network using a Dante, Ethersound or AES/EBU digital expansion card.
There are dedicated touring and installation versions of the GEO M12. The Touring version uses a magnetically-fixed front steel grill with a back mesh. AutoRigä automatically connects the front rigging system when the speakers are assembled, with a guided back rigging system for easy angle adjustment. The connection plate uses NL4 connectors. The IP54-rated Installation version comes with a fixed front steel grid, covered by an acoustic cloth. The rigging system uses safety nuts and the connectivity is made through cable gland and captive four core cables. All hardware is TUV-certified. Both Touring and Installation versions are available in black, white and custom RAL colours on request.
