Review By:
KPO Rentals
The RCF Art 9 series has been our favorite for speaker rentals. They have a ton of power with crystal clear sound, and a professional look. Their proprietary FiR Phase algorithm offers a noticeable improvement to the competition by correcting for phase alignment issues that happen with all speaker cabinets. By realigning the frequencies to a more natural state, their speakers sound richer, fuller, and far less compressed. We've done many A/B comparisons at our shop, and when comparing similarly priced speakers, the Art 9 series always tends to win.
The Art 945A is what we recommend for events when subs are not being used. We recommend Art 932A's when subs are being used because 12s tend to have even better clarity in the vocal frequency range. And we Art 910A's are great as monitors, smaller rooms, or karaoke events.
If budget is a concern, the Art 912A's and Art 915A's are great options because they are still providing superior sound quality with their FiR Phase technology, but they are in line price-wise with the "industry standard" speakers.
Review By:
DJ Brian Rodrigues
Review By:
DJ ESG
RCF ART 945-A Review: Unmatched Power and Clarity in Professional Audio
The RCF ART 945-A is a powerhouse in the world of professional audio equipment, and it sets a new benchmark for what a portable speaker can deliver. Whether you’re a mobile DJ, sound engineer, or live performer, this speaker will impress you with its clarity, power, and reliability.
Sound Quality: One word: phenomenal. The RCF ART 945-A boasts an impressive 2100-watt peak power output and a 15-inch woofer paired with a 4-inch titanium compression driver. This combination results in crystal-clear highs, robust mids, and deep, punchy lows. The clarity and precision, even at high volumes, are astounding, with no noticeable distortion. Whether you're playing intricate acoustic music or bass-heavy dance tracks, the ART 945-A handles everything with ease.
Power & Performance: What sets the RCF ART 945-A apart from its competition is its sheer output power. It can easily handle large venues, outdoor events, and even high-demand environments like festivals. The 136 dB max SPL is enough to fill any space with sound without sacrificing detail. It’s a beast in terms of raw performance, and the RCF’s FiRPHASE technology ensures a phase-accurate sound that’s consistent across the entire listening area.
Build Quality: The build quality is exactly what you'd expect from RCF—durable and road-ready. The lightweight polypropylene enclosure not only protects the internal components but also makes the speaker easy to transport. The ergonomic handles make it a breeze to carry and set up. Plus, it has a sleek, professional look that fits perfectly in any event or stage setting.
Versatility: The ART 945-A excels in versatility, working seamlessly as either a standalone PA speaker, part of a larger array, or even as a stage monitor. The DSP (Digital Signal Processing) offers great flexibility for EQ settings, allowing you to optimize the speaker for any environment or audio setup. This makes it an excellent choice for DJs, bands, or event professionals who need a reliable and adaptable system.
Connectivity & Features: The RCF ART 945-A comes with balanced XLR inputs and outputs, allowing easy integration into any sound system. Its built-in DSP gives you precision control over the sound, and it’s easy to adjust the speaker's settings to match the room or audience size. This speaker is as simple to use as it is powerful, which is key for quick setups and consistent performance.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a professional-grade speaker that offers unmatched sound quality, power, and durability, the RCF ART 945-A is the one to beat. It’s an investment in superior audio performance, and whether you're performing in front of hundreds or filling a large venue with music, the RCF ART 945-A ensures that your sound will always be top-notch.
ART 945-A is masterfully engineered to deliver stellar audio performance and versatility for intensive audio applications. The combination of neodymium transducers - 4" titanium compression driver, 15" woofer - two-channel 2100W amplifier, and the constant directivity True Resistive Waveguide produces coherent 100° x 60° coverage for the listening area with up to 135 dB SPL, distortion-free sound. Used as a stand-alone speaker for a FOH system, satellite (with subwoofer), stage monitor, or flown, the ART 945-A packs high-performance and reliability in a compact enclosure. Designed to be the most flexible loudspeaker in its class, it also features multiple rigging points for fixed installation. Merging RCF proprietary FiRPHASE and Bass Motion Control DSP processing, perfectly tuned for each model, the audience will experience absolute clarity and deep, powerful bass response. The sleek cabinet uses a special polypropylene composite material with an M-brace internal reinforcement, making it easy to carry and secure to install on a pole, flown-, wall-, or truss-mounted using the multiple rigging points available.
Features:
Up to 135 dB Sound Pressure Level
2100W Class-D Bi-Amplification
45-20000 Hz linear frequency response
4" Titanium/Neodymium Compression Driver
15" Neodymium Woofer
FiRPHASE zero degrees phase technology
Bass Motion Control woofer excursion management
POWER THAT MOVES
The most powerful amplifier in its class. RCF's improvements in transducer design make them stronger and powerful, so the amplifier follows the evolution. With 2,100 Watts of power, the 2-channel ART 9 Class-D amplifier is 50% more powerful than previous models, able to manage extremely high sound pressure levels with an ultra-fast attack, realistic transient response, and very low heat loss. ART 9 is very energy-efficient so there is no need for a cooling fan - the amplifier is attached to a solid aluminum heat exchanger in the back of the unit - with no moving parts. Being physically connected with the internal frame, the amplifier is firm and solid within the cabinet. The input circuit features a new low distortion design with an advanced safety limiter, maintaining the true character of the input signal at all levels. All ART 9 amplifiers are designed according to EN62368-1 for maximum safety and present a Switch Mode Power Supply section joining high-efficiency with minimum weight.
M-BRACE: A NEW CABINET DESIGN
A professional appearance of an ART 9 cabinet is ideal for live events or installed applications. The sleek cabinet uses a special polypropylene composite material with a radically new construction concept. The grille cover is heavy-duty steel protecting both transducers and vented ports. The purpose-designed M-brace connects the four internal sides of the cabinet and amplifier, preventing any deformation for a completely inert body, with augmented acoustical damping even at maximum volume settings. It also performs as a reinforcement structure, for greater resistance to mechanical stress.
BASS MOTION CONTROL
When searching for an extended bass with enhanced performance, RCF engineers found a way to remove the high-pass filter, replacing it with a forward-thinking approach. Introducing BMC (Bass Motion Control), the newly advanced woofer excursion management feature. ART 9 with BMC can handle the lowest audible frequencies without affecting the woofer stability, with extended linearity and better sound integrity.
The BMC method works by creating a complete map of the dynamic behavior of the woofer, to generate a custom algorithm that only limits over-excursions. This gives total freedom of signal reproduction to the transducer. When high-pass filters normally protect the woofer motion from becoming destructive, but change the phase behavior, the new BMC algorithm breaks conventional rule. In combination with FiRPHASE technology, ART 9 has a level of DSP audio performance never achieved in this range of speakers.
NEW PARADIGMS IN ELECTROACOUSTICS
The advanced design of ART9 lies within the housing of the speaker. The new True Resistive Waveguide is the result of several refinements in both the transducers' and the vented ports' design with Finite Element Analysis, and constant measurement in RCF anechoic chambers. Thanks to FiRPHASE technology, the new shape, and the placement of the ports, the speaker now acts as a single ideal source for a perfect sound image. Acoustically, the TRW waveguide mimics a resonance-free pure resistive load reducing the high-frequency distortion of a classic horn. With its asymmetrical sound shaping, the coverage angle of the waveguide provides constant directivity to the entire listening area and improved stereo panorama.
LEGENDARY TRANSDUCERS
SUPERIOR COMPRESSION DRIVERS
The ND940 Compression Driver in pure Titanium with a 4 inches voice coil allows a crossover point at only 650 Hz. This allows a better impulse response, fast decay, and superior efficiency. Lightweight and powerful, RCF neodymium drivers are a reference in performance and reliability.
POTENT WOOFER
The low-frequency transducer is a high-power 15’’ neodymium woofer with a 3.5’’ voice coil that delivers tight, punchy bass. Reproduction of the mid-bass frequencies is accurate, transparent, and free from distortion.
READY FOR HEAVY-DUTY APPLICATIONS
The highly innovative entertainment industry is permanently evolving accompanied by increasing demands on interconnection systems. Particular environmentally sealed connectors are highly requested for heavy-duty and harsh environment applications of entertainment equipment. ART 945-A features True Outdoor Protection (TOP) PowerCON TRUE1 power input connectors. These ruggedized sealed connectors feature not only IP protection but also UV resistance approved according to UL50E.
NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LINEARITY
RCF speakers are designed using a proprietary and advanced digital FiR technology, conceived to deliver transparent sound, absolute clarity, and perfect imaging to the listener.
The special FiRPHASE filters allow for coherent distribution of sound for all listeners without phase distortions, ensuring minimum latencies in the system.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Acoustical specifications
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
45 Hz ÷ 20000 Hz
MAX SPL @ 1M:
135 dB
HORIZONTAL COVERAGE ANGLE:
100°
VERTICAL COVERAGE ANGLE:
60°
Transducers
COMPRESSION DRIVER:
1 x 1.4'' neo, 4.0'' v.c
WOOFER:
15'' neo, 3.5'' v.c
Input/Output section
INPUT SIGNAL:
bal/unbal
INPUT CONNECTORS:
XLR, Jack
OUTPUT CONNECTORS:
XLR
INPUT SENSITIVITY:
-2 dBu/+4 dBu
Processor section
CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES:
650Hz
PROTECTIONS:
Thermal, RMS
LIMITER:
Soft Limiter
CONTROLS:
Linear, Boost, Stage, Volume
Power section
TOTAL POWER:
2100 W Peak
HIGH FREQUENCIES:
700 W Peak
LOW FREQUENCIES:
1400 W Peak
COOLING:
Convection
CONNECTIONS:
Powercon TRUE1 TOP IN/OUT
Standard compliance
CE MARKING:
Yes
Physical specifications
CABINET/CASE MATERIAL:
PP Composite
HARDWARE:
1 x M10 Top, 1 x M10 each side
HANDLES:
1 Top , 1 each side
POLE MOUNT/CAP:
Yes
GRILLE:
Steel
COLOR:
Black
Size
HEIGHT:
717 mm / 28.23 inches
WIDTH:
415 mm / 16.34 inches
DEPTH:
410 mm / 16.14 inches
WEIGHT:
22.1 kg / 48.72 lbs
Shipping information
PACKAGE HEIGHT:
760 mm / 29.92 inches
PACKAGE WIDTH:
475 mm / 18.7 inches
PACKAGE DEPTH:
470 mm / 18.5 inches
PACKAGE WEIGHT:
24.3 kg / 53.57 lbs
