 Last month we told you how acoustic guitars had a great 2009 and early 2010 compared to their electric counterparts. This month, we shift our focus to the pro audio market. We checked in with three manufacturers to first see how pro audio sales are holding up this year compared to 2009. We also wanted to see what technologies could be the next big thing, and how companies plan to capitalize on these trends. Answering our call this year were Robb Blumenreder, channel manager for Sennheiser Professional Systems and Neumann USA; Jim Mona, national sales manager, pro audio division, MXL Microphones; Audix Co-Founder Cliff Castle; and Chris Rose, president, and Tom James, product manager at Eminence Loudspeakers.
Overall, the news is good. Manufacturers are perhaps not jumping for joy right now. But it does appear as though the economic recovery has begun.
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| From right to left: Chris Rose, Jim Mona, Robb Blumenreder, Cliff Castle |
Question No. 1:
How are sales holding up compared to 2009? Are you seeing improvements in the economy?
“Thanks to the introduction of a variety of new products and a general improvement in purchases from our customers, Sennheiser has seen steady business increases over the past few months,” Blumenreder said. “Unfortunately, some of this growth is a direct result of the recent 700 MHz ruling that is forcing wireless users to decommission their old--but functional--systems and replace them with new product. The timing of this is somewhat advantageous for Sennheiser customers, as we introduced two new wireless series (evolution Wireless G3 and 2000 Series) last year—there is some comfort in knowing that our customers are replacing older systems with the latest technology available from Sennheiser. In short, we’re looking forward to a prosperous 2010 as our economy strengthens and buyers return to retail stores to check out all the latest technology trends.”
An ebullient Mona said MXL has seen major improvements in sales and developing markets. “It may not be a completely repaired economy,” he said. “However, the recession has taught many people the value of maintaining successful products that offer margin. It’s also helped people to discover new ways to be creative in their marketing to get a better share of the sales.”
“Our MI sales are showing signs of improvement compared to 2009,” said Castle. “Dealers have had a chance to evaluate their lines and partner with the suppliers who providing them with products, pricing, and tools to help cope with the economy.”
“Sales data indicates a 35 percent increase over the same period in 2009,” said Rose. “More important for us is that open orders look positive and are higher than they have been in several years at any given time. We are seeing some economic improvements, but this will be a long process. More importantly, in our industry we are seeing customers work on new projects and trying to figure out new ways to stimulate business. They are trying to provide even more value in their products... something our industry has already been doing very well for many years.”
Question No. 2:
What are the next new pro audio technologies and why are they cool? (Optional second part)What products do you have or will have to capitalize on that trend?
“As far as microphones go, they are still the most important part of the audio chain as they are the ‘first to capture’ the audio signal,” said Castle. “We continue to offer solution-oriented products that are unique and offer great performance at a great value. Our New Fusion series of drum mic packages give dealers professional products at very attractive prices. They represent the best of both worlds in that they are designed, assembled and tested by Audix in the USA so the quality control, consistency, and performance are world class.”
“Neo magnets are going to play a huge role in most new driver designs,” said James. “Neo can be used to make drivers lighter, offer higher levels of performance, or both depending on the need. Neo isn’t really the ‘next’ technology but is certainly being adopted at an increasing rate. With available energies of up to 20 times greater per unit volume as compared to ceramic structures, there is an incredible weight savings possible for back line and portable PA gear, along with eased rigging requirements for permanently installed systems.
“…The Eminence LA, Deltalite and Kappalite models represent very lightweight, high-performance loudspeakers without compromises in power handling, performance or reliability,” he continued. “There are eight unique models available in our Neodymium Professional Series. Each was designed with a specific application in mind, from heavy-duty subwoofers to midranges, and even transducers in truncated frames.
Said Mona: “Pro Audio products need to keep up with the computer world; recorders are now laptops. MXL has been promoting and now offers HD quality sounding USB microphones that are simple and easy to use. Today’s computer generation can handle the benefits of USB while most would not have the time to learn what an XLR cable is. We can not ignore this new frontier of capturing audio. The new USB microphones sound great and with the laptop making music easier than ever, that is cool!”
Added Blumenreder: “Sennheiser is consistently trying to implement inherently complex technology into a simple, easy-to-use interface. Whether that be with wireless systems with network control, wireless headphones with uncompressed audio or digital microphones with built in A/D converters, DSP and remote control—we are constantly pushing the limits of the walls of the sandbox and eager to bring new technology to the forefront (and storefront!!). In the months and years to come, the market will see more and more digital microphones, such as the MKH 8000 Digital from Sennheiser and the Solution-D series from Neumann, with new and expanded options for the professional audio world. This technology makes capturing ‘the perfect take’ that much easier by incorporating DSP technology and integrated A/D converters to protect the originally recorded signal. As exciting as introducing new products is, it’s even more exciting to be on the bleeding edge of technological advances in a field that has remained remarkably unchanged in the past 30 years. We’re removing possible roadblocks to perfection—it’s an exciting time for Sennheiser and Neumann! Additionally, Sennheiser has recently started to distribute a very unique line of loudspeaker solutions from an innovative Italian company named K-Array. Incredible sound from a company whose mission is to create an invisible loud speaker....well, they’re not there yet, but the size: performance ratio is jaw-dropping.”
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