JH Audio - Contour XO

What has always drawn me to L-Acoustics is its musicality: solid sub, punchy low end, thick but detailed low mids, balanced midrange, aggressive yet controlled high mids and, most impressively, smooth and realistic high end. Too many systems nowadays go for unnatural, overhyped high frequencies. Not L-Acoustics. Simply put, it sounds like music.

L-Acoustics has provided us with many great tools to enhance what we do. Having the same characteristics in an IEM is a game changer! With Contour XO, the collaboration between L-Acoustics and JH Audio may be the turning point – the next generation of IEMs.

My goal as a systems engineer is to create a blank canvas for the mix engineer to paint on so that every day the painting sounds the same. I’ve always felt that L-Acoustics products have the sonic transparency and fidelity to streamline this procedure because they start the optimization process on the mechanical level.

At this year’s BRIT Awards at London’s O2 Arena, I was mixing front of house for UK artist Stormzy. I was so impressed with the audio quality and dynamic range, especially the low-end extension. The clarity and phase coherency was like mixing in the studio, yet the front of house mix position was way back in the room. The bass was intense all the way to the cheap seats, in a word: colossal!

From a professional end-user perspective, I think the Contour XO are going to be perfect for live mixing reference as well as portable mixing rigs, especially if you are used to mixing an L-Acoustics system. In addition, I think musicians and vocalists who want an idea of how the room is sounding in their ears will find this new product very appealing.

As the FOH engineer for Outkast on an extensive world tour I had the chance to test all the top PA systems and was totally blown away by the L-Acoustics K1 system. In 2017 as FOH for Logic I had the opportunity to build my all-time favorite PA: L-Acoustics K1 over K2, with my favorite sub the KS28, with 2 Kara on top. I got everything I was looking for out of that PA. It was pristine and crystal clear for my application of 128 dB, in-your-face hip hop! I can’t wait to hear the next generation of audio from L-Acoustics.

I cannot forget the moment that I listened to L-Acoustics technology for the first time in 1997. The L-Acoustics system was and remains incomparable and was the game-changer in the Korean pro audio industry. The sound of L-Acoustics is the reference for live shows. Contour XO is exciting news for audio lovers and especially fans of live music. I believe the IEMs will bring that huge live sound, and the feeling that comes with it, into the home.

When working on one of our EDM festival sound designs for a client, you show the best and most optimized solution with a detailed view of the project. It is our job to provide a PA that will meet this solution with a similar sonic footprint throughout the whole family tree as well as provide the client and most of all audience with an exciting sonic experience. For those reasons L‑Acoustics has been the system of choice

There’s something immeasurable about L-Acoustics speakers. When I mix on a K1 or K2 system it somehow puts me “inside” the music. Sonic details emerge, music blends together easily, and my mixes seem to have more depth and dimension. It becomes a sonic experience that no other technology can deliver.

The end of a tour always comes, and while relaxing in the comfort of home, I had always pondered being able to have that L-Acoustics sound on the couch. With the recent development of the Contour XO IEMs, we have the opportunity to take that L-Acoustics sonic signature anywhere. I also look forward to having the option of using Contour XO when it’s time to get back on the road.