InfoComm 2026 Debuts Signal a Shift in Professional Audio Equipment
InfoComm 2026 debuts in professional audio equipment mark a clear shift toward lighter, more integrated and more efficient technologies that give system designers higher output, tighter control and simpler deployment for touring, live events and permanent installations. On the show floor, Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) and Powersoft underlined how lightweight audio drivers and smarter electronics are reshaping expectations for high-performance speakers in compact formats. EAW focused on integrated, powered line arrays and subs that cut truck space and setup time, while Powersoft introduced new low-profile and ultra-compact drivers intended for OEM loudspeaker brands. Together, these launches show how manufacturers are rethinking transducer design, amplification and system intelligence as one ecosystem rather than separate product categories, aiming to improve performance without adding bulk or complexity in real-world productions.
EAW Newport Series: Lightweight Line Arrays Aimed at Price-to-Performance Gains
EAW used InfoComm 2026 to grow its Newport Series, a family of lightweight, high-performance speakers built to challenge the price-to-performance status quo for professional audio equipment. The new NT208L Line Array and NT116S Subwoofer are designed for touring, live production and outdoor festivals where truck space, weight and speed of deployment matter as much as sound quality. Newport enclosures combine high-power Class-D amplification built into each cabinet with durable, low-mass construction, removing the need for external amp racks and reducing system footprint. EAW says the dual 8-inch active NT208L delivers 141 dB max SPL with extension down to 50 Hz, driven by a 2000W Class-D amplifier and a field-adjustable horn using Adjustable Horizontal Directivity. According to Geoff McKinnon of EAW, Newport cabinets are “engineered to be the lightest in their class” while still providing the throw and punch of larger, more expensive systems.
Smarter Deployment with EAW’s Online Array Assistant and Cardioid Sub Options
Beyond loudspeaker hardware, EAW added tools to help engineers deploy high-performance speakers faster and with more certainty. The new browser-based Online Array Assistant (OAA) works on computers and smartphones, guiding users through array design by suggesting angles, pick-points and switch settings to get rigging correct on the first hang. This approach aligns with Newport’s focus on saving time and reducing labor on site. The NT116S subwoofer adds more flexibility: it can be flown with the NT206L line array via an optional rigging accessory or used as a standalone low-frequency solution. A dedicated Cardioid Mode allows users to configure subs so more low-frequency energy hits the audience area while reducing spill onto the stage. Additional subs in development, the NT119S and NT219S, are planned to round out the Newport line for larger or more demanding installations.
Powersoft MM-Force: Low-Profile Moving Magnetic Power for Tight Spaces
Powersoft’s MM-Force made one of the most striking InfoComm 2026 debuts in lightweight audio drivers, targeting OEMs that need serious low-frequency performance in shallow formats. MM-Force is a moving magnetic low-frequency driver under 80 mm in depth, available in 8-inch and 10-inch versions. It uses a dual coil configuration and a square carbon fiber reinforced polymer piston, with a design rated for harsh environments. Powersoft says the moving parts are engineered to offset each other dynamically, achieving vibrationless operation at the transducer level. By combining moving magnet topology with high motor strength, MM-Force aims to improve power efficiency while enabling compact subwoofer and bass modules for commercial installs, themed entertainment and other space-limited applications. According to Luca Giorgi of Powersoft, MM-Force helps designers fit “meaningful low-frequency performance into a shallow install format” as part of a wider technology ecosystem.
Spixel and the Rise of Ultra-Compact High-Performance Speakers
Alongside MM-Force, Powersoft introduced Spixel, an ultra-compact full-range driver intended to help OEM partners build smaller, higher-efficiency loudspeakers without sacrificing bandwidth. Spixel carries the same high motor strength philosophy seen in Powersoft’s IPAL low-frequency technology but extends it across the full frequency range in a 2.5-inch format. Despite its size, Spixel reaches a 100 Hz low-frequency limit, allowing direct coupling with subwoofers at a single, low crossover point for smoother system integration. Each driver includes AnyMATE technology for onboard speaker identification, real-time monitoring and quick visual diagnostics through an LED indicator and translucent dustcap. Together, MM-Force and Spixel show Powersoft’s intent to act as an end-to-end audio technology developer, giving OEMs matched components to build tightly integrated, high-performance speakers for installations where size, efficiency and system intelligence are critical.
