Ascendo Immersive Audio GmbH, a German company known for its high-end audio solutions, has unveiled its latest innovation, the Ascendo Director LED Wall Loudspeaker System. This new offering is specifically designed to address the unique challenges posed by modern home cinema setups that utilize LED walls, MicroLED, and OLED displays—environments where traditional speaker placement strategies fall short.

As LED walls become more popular in residential media systems, they present significant obstacles for audio system designers. Unlike traditional projector-based systems where speakers can be hidden behind an acoustically transparent screen, LED walls do not allow for this kind of speaker placement. This limitation creates a need for new creative solutions that can deliver high-quality sound without compromising the visual aesthetics or performance of the display.

Ascendo's Director series addresses this problem by focusing on in-ceiling speaker placement. The system is built around a direct-radiating point source speaker that integrates seamlessly into the ceiling, allowing it to deliver powerful, immersive sound without being obtrusive. This flush-mount design ensures that the speakers remain virtually invisible, keeping the focus on the screen while maintaining high audio fidelity.

“Our design approach, as always, is using a point source. In this case, we are using an asymmetrical, controlled-dispersion pattern waveguide to achieve our goals,” says Geoffrey Heinzel, co-managing partner, ASCENDO.

“Only point source speakers can deliver the desired seat-to-seat performance consistency in multi-seat home theater environments, and only a direct-radiating system is capable of the highest-performance results.”

At the heart of the Ascendo Director system is a two-way, professional AMT (Air Motion Transformer) waveguide speaker, paired with a 10-inch mid-woofer. The system is designed with an asymmetrical waveguide that is specifically angled for ceiling installation, optimizing sound dispersion throughout the room. This design minimizes the lobing and cancellations that can occur with traditional speaker systems, which should ensure consistent sound quality across all seating positions.

One of the main features of the Director system is its scalability. The system's sound pressure levels (SPL) can exceed 130dB, which is comparable to the noise level of a jet engine during takeoff. This extreme capability ensures that the Director system can handle the dynamic demands of even the most intense cinematic experiences.

In addition to its primary in-ceiling speakers, the Director system can be augmented with a second 10-inch mid-woofer, available as an optional add-on. This addition increases the system's peak output by an additional 3dB, providing even greater headroom for high-energy audio playback. The mid-woofer can be installed in both wall and ceiling configurations, offering flexibility in system design.

In rooms with high ceilings or steep viewing angles, the Director system employs psychoacoustic techniques to enhance the audio experience. A time-aligned, equalized, and level-matched balancing speaker can be positioned below the LED wall, effectively lowering the perceived phantom sound source. This setup should ensure the audio remains anchored to the screen, even when the speakers are installed above it.

Ascendo's approach also includes the use of a specially designed mounting plate that allows the speaker module to be rotated and aimed precisely, providing optimal alignment and coverage for the entire audience. This flexibility makes the Director system suitable for a variety of room configurations, from intimate home theaters to expansive private screening rooms.

“ASCENDO continues to innovate with application-specific solutions for challenges like this one,” says Todd Sutherland, owner of Sutherland AV Marketing, distributor for ASCENDO in the United States and Canada. “The DIRECTOR is unlike anything available, giving the audience a realistic and exciting LED wall audio experience from an in-ceiling system that lives up to ASCENDO’s reputation for sublime sound.” 

The Ascendo Director system will make its public debut at the upcoming CEDIA Expo 2024, scheduled for September 5-7 at the Colorado Convention Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the system in action at Ascendo's Sound Room 3, where it will be demonstrated in conjunction with other high-end audio and video equipment.

The demo setup will include a StormAudio ISP Evo20 processor for audio, paired with a madVR Envy Mk2 video processor for video. The visual component of the demo will be supported by a Seymour-Screen Excellence Ambient Visionaire Black screen and a Christie M 4K15 Pure Laser projector. The room will also feature bespoke seating from German manufacturer moovia and will use Kaleidescape servers for source content.