L-Acoustics has unveiled the L1 line array and its companion CS1 cardioid subwoofer, positioning the systems as a new reference for large-scale live sound built on the company’s Progressive Ultra-Dense Line Source (PULS) technology. L1 and CS1 are currently in pilot phase with selected L-Acoustics certified partners, with availability planned for early 2027.
Each L1 enclosure integrates two 18in low-cardioid transducers, four 15in low-frequency drivers, eight 8in mid-frequency drivers and six coaxial 4in and 2.5in HF compression drivers. The company says the result is a maximum SPL of 160 dB per enclosure across a full bandwidth of 35 Hz to 20 kHz. The companion L1D wide-coverage element shares the same transducer architecture with a progressive 60-degree vertical coverage pattern, achieving 155 dB SPL for nearfield zones.
For noise-sensitive and multi-stage environments, the side-mounted 18in LC transducers enable L-Acoustics’ cardioid low-frequency architecture, delivering up to 18 dB of rear rejection between 20 and 250 Hz and more than 26 dB below 80 Hz. Sound designers can choose between cardioid mode for maximum rear rejection or supercardioid for extended lateral rejection. CS1 extends the same principle to sub-bass, with four 21in transducers in a cardioid topology delivering peak SPL of up to 150 dB down to 25 Hz.
A new Autofilter algorithm, operating within L-Acoustics Soundvision software, shapes the low-frequency beam of an L1 array in three dimensions with no added latency. Horizontal directivity is managed by two Panflex modules per enclosure, offering 70- and 90-degree symmetrical patterns plus an 80-degree asymmetrical mode.
On the deployment side, L-Acoustics says a configuration of two CS1, four L1 and one L1D delivers the acoustic performance of a 21-element K1 standard rig with 66 percent fewer rigging actions. Five enclosures do the work of 15 and weigh 20 percent less when rigged. Each L1 enclosure is driven by a dedicated LA7.16 amplified controller with 16 discrete channels of DSP and amplification, mounting in the LA-RAK III touring rack which delivers more than 60,000 watts in 9U.
Germain Simon, director of product management – loudspeakers at L-Acoustics, said: “With PULS taken to its ultimate expression, we have broken every performance benchmark we set for large-format line source. L1 is a genuine turning point for the industry.”
Sean Sullivan, sound engineer for Bruno Mars, added: “This system makes a stadium sound a lot smaller than it is. Controlling the low end with a full cardioid PA pretty much eliminates the usual stuff rolling around these giant spaces. Once you add the finest mids and highs I’ve ever heard, the room just disappears.”
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