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CHAPTER 1
The MICA compact high-power curvilinear array loud-
speaker is a member of the popular MILO
®
high-power
curvilinear loudspeaker family.
MICA (Figure 1.1) is ideal for creating compact high-power
arrays in applications that do not require as much power
and throw distance as the larger MILO
®
, and where its
reduced size and weight are advantageous. It is equally
applicable in a wide variety of applications such as touring,
rental, and fixed installations. Options for MICA include a
weather-protected version with a rain hood to safeguard the
electronics, and custom color finishes.
Figure 1.1. MICA compact high-power wide coverage curvilinear array
loudspeaker
MICA provides an excellent complement to a MILO main
system for tours that are playing a variety of venues, being
used as sidefills for large arenas and sheds, and as the
main system for smaller venues. MICA’s extended high-
frequency headroom and 100-degree horizontal coverage
provides detailed resolution of delicate transient information
across a wide coverage pattern. When used as sidefills with
MILO main arrays, MICA’s acoustical characteristics are
designed to facilitate seamless integration.
ADVANCED MICA TECHNOLOGY
Compact and lightweight for a self-contained, self-
powered three-way system, MICA produces a wide
horizontal coverage angle of 100 degrees and a vertical
coverage angle that varies depending on array length and
configuration. MICA produces a peak output of 138 dB SPL
with exceptionally flat phase and frequency response.
MICA was created specifically as a modular, flexible design
solution to provide high-power systems for medium-
sized venues, and for large venues as a complement
to MILO. The MICA loudspeaker is a three-way design.
The MICA low/low-mid section features two high-power,
neodymium-magnet 10-inch cone drivers with 2-inch voice
coils, especially designed for the power capabilities of the
system. The drivers are a proprietary design employing
neodymium magnets for higher efficiency and power
handling with reduced weight. Both drivers are housed in
separate vented enclosures within the loudspeaker, located
on the left and right sides. The lowest frequency range is
reproduced by these high-power drivers working in tandem,
each powered by a dedicated amplifier channel.
To assure the smoothest response in the critical midrange
and crossover region, MICA incorporates a complex active
crossover design. In the low-mid frequencies, the crossover
feeds only one of the two 10-inch drivers while rolling off
the other driver. This technique eliminates interference
between the drivers that would otherwise occur at shorter
wavelengths, while at the same time maintaining optimal
polar and frequency response characteristics at the
crossover frequencies.
The system’s wide operating frequency range (60 Hz to
18 kHz) is complemented by extended high-frequency
headroom. MICA’s high-frequency section uses two 1.2-
inch exit, 3-inch diaphragm compression drivers with
neodymium magnets, each also powered by a dedicated
amplifier channel. The output of each driver is seamlessly
combined through a custom REM™ ribbon emulation
manifold for the dual-driver high-frequency section, coupled
to a 100-degree horizontal constant-directivity horn. REM
is a patented coupling device that introduces driver output
to the horn throat across a very short path, effectively
controlling the output, but with dramatically reduced
distortion in comparison to other techniques.
INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER AND PROCESSING
As a self-powered loudspeaker, MICA incorporates a very
high power, 4-channel, class AB/H power amplifier and
sophisticated control circuitry housed within the cabinet
— dramatically simplifying setup and installation. Supply
power distribution to the array, connect line-level signal,
and that’s it — you’re focusing on design implementation
instead of installation.
MICA’s on-board amplifier delivers 3,020 watts total burst
power (6,000 watts peak). TruPower
®
limiting extends the
life of MICA’s drivers under severe non-linear circumstances
at very high levels, and keeps long-term power
compression to less than 1 dB (versus the typical 3 to 6 dB
for conventional systems).
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCING THE MICA LOUDSPEAKER
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