Hypersonic Sound by American Technology CORPORATION
(also known as HSS)
Comparisons with other Directional Sound
Relevant Technologies such as sound domes and sound arrays
| |
Hypersonic Sound by American Technology CORPORATION (also known as HSS) |
Comparisons with other Directional Sound
Relevant Technologies such as sound domes and sound arrays |
Equipment Tested - Hypersonic Sound (HSS Model S220A) and 24" Audio Spotlight
The Audio Spotlight and Hypersonic Sound Systems create “beams of sound” which Espon is looking to incorporate into a grocery store application in conjecture with Espon projectors. These beams of sound are made up of highly focused sound, that is sound that continues to travel in a straight line after leaving the speaker, or as it is scientifically known, the transducer.
The 11” Hypersonic Sound System creates a smaller beam than the Audio Spotlight. To put it simply, the sweet spot of the Hypersonic Sound System is much smaller than the sweet spot of the 24” Audio Spotlight. In short, since the transducer of the Hypersonic Sound System is 11” x 11” and the transducer of the Audio Spotlight is 24” x 24”, the Audio Spotlight creates a beam a little more than four times the size of the beam from the Hypersonic Sound System.
Sound Spill
Outside of each of the beams created by these transducers is a side signal that is about 4 dB quieter than the true beam. This gives the appearance that the beam is wider than it is, however, from either the Audio Spotlight or the HSS, once you are outside the beam, the sound falloff is about 4 dB. The beam of the Audio Spotlight is about 4 times the size of that from the Hypersonic Sound (HSS), and this sound falloff does not occur until you are outside the beam.
The 24” Audio Spotlight has the same maximum sound output as the HSS System. Maximum sound output was tested by putting professionally produced and compressed narration through both the Audio Spotlight and HSS systems. Average sound output was determined to be 64 dB. The ambient noise level in a large supermarket in Providence, RI was tested at 60 dB. The ambient noise level in this case, exactly matched the average side signal or spill level of the Audio Spotlight or HSS at maximum volume.
Results
These test results tell us two things. One, that you will be able to hear narration as reproduced by either the Audio Spotlight or the HSS System in the background noise level of a Supermarket. Two, that you will only hear the sound signal within the beam. Since you will only hear the signal within the beam, for a customer to hear a signal from the HSS unit, they must be within an 11” x 11” square. To hear a signal from the Audio Spotlight, they must be within a 24” x 24” hexagon.
Cost
The cost difference of the Hypersonic Sound (HSS model S220A) vs the Audio Spotlight per unit is anywhere from 20%-38% with the Audio Spotlight being more expensive, but the Audio Spotlight will provide a beam almost 4 times the size. Thus based on a per square foot rate for sound coverage the Audio Spotlight is 50-60% less expensive than Hypersonic Sound.
Other Audio Spotlight Advantages – Sound Quality, Installation and Aesthetics
The 24” Audio Spotlight sounds warmer and more natural than the HSS model S220A. The amplifier is separate from the speaker so the amplifiers can be group mounted in a control room with one or more audio sources feeding the Audio Spotlight Systems. The speaker is less than 1” thick and can be constructed in a variety of stock colors including Black and White. The speaker cover is a sublimation printable lycra. Sublimation printing is virtually unlimited in terms of colors and image quality. Any background that can be photographed with a digital camera may be printed. Thus, the speaker may be camouflaged to match the store surroundings. The transducer or speaker requires no space behind it, and is designed for flush mounting, bracket mounting and suspension mounting.
Conclusion
Since this is a dynamic situation where the crowd will be moving through the
beam it is important that we consider the coverage area of the beam in order
to increase the likelihood that a prospect will pass through it. We must also
consider the sound quality, durability, and ease of integration with the retail
store environment. Based on a per square foot of coverage basis, the Audio Spotlight
is 50-60% less expensive than the HSS unit, so in this case the Audio Spotlight
is the clear choice.
Audio Spotlights by
Exhibit and Display Consultants Inc • PO Box 6625 • Providence RI
02940 • 508-695-0544
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