I'm puzzled by the waterfall plot of the compression driver for the Alcons. Looks like a terrible mess, or is this considered "good" for a compression driver, or do I just now know how to read a waterfall plot:
They use the pro-ribbon (bottom). Not the compression driver. That's kind of their whole M.O. And yes, compression drivers are inherently flawed drivers, but it is a very valid trade off for their massive output capabilities, when required.
I had previously operated under the belief that ribbons are inherently output limited, but my experience with the Alcons' at NAMM changed my view.
I work professionally in live sound, and it's well known that the CD distortion is generally what sets the usable SPL limit in point source live audio solutions. The only way to combat this is exotic summation devices (a'la Danley Paraline), but single-CD speakers hit a sharp wall of distortion (usually far before their electrical power limitations) which sets their usable limit.
All of the alcons played genuinely scary clean to totally unreasonable levels. Their live products sounded fantastic, but their studio monitors legitimately broke my reality on what is possible. They could play to PA SPL levels (102dba on my meter at ~4-5 meters away) with absolutely zero audible distortion or stress. They basically sounded like ultra-low-distortion, perfect tonality headphones, except they were able to pull off some of the best "realism in imaging" that no headphone is capable of, outside of exotic DSP solutions like the Smyth Realizer/Baach.
I went to the show with my coworker/boss (very well respected live sound engineer ~35yrs in industry) and my friend (multiple time RIAA platinum studio audio engineer). After the demo, my boss immediately got the ball rolling on getting a package of Alcons PA boxes leased for trial/demo, and the latter friend placed a pre-order deposit on the studio monitors to replace his 4x as expensive PMCs.
I have no allegiance to alcons at all, but the fact that 3 people in the pro world threw any brand loyalty out of the window based on a 30min trade show demo should be telling enough at how stunningly high performance they are. Highly recommend everyone on this forum give them a listen. If only they managed to develop a synergy style array around their tweeter, then I'd think that would be genuinely unbeatable.
Super bummed I didn't get a good demo of 8381a. I've heard the Hyperion, and know just how insane it is, but on paper, the Genetec should edge it out and I'm bummed the demos at NAMM were lackluster.