(February 1, 2024) When we last caught up with L. Paul Hales, owner and President of Pro Audio Technology and Theory Audio, he'd just finished wowing a room room of CEDIA 2023 attendees with a jaw-dropping presentation of superior, detail-rich audio. For me, the demo was one of the show's highlight moments, and Hales sweetened the experience by dropping a juicy hook as he wrapped things up: "Look for us to have an Infrasonic Subwoofer next year."
Being a fan of hard-hitting, deep-digging bass, that statement was music to my ears.
We interviewed Hales that day, diving into specifics about Pro and Theory offerings (you can watch the interview here if you'd like to learn about the brands), and I asked him to expand on the potential for infrasonics in Pro's audio lineup. Hales obliged with just enough detail to keep intrigue alive.
“The very top end of residential consultants that are designing premium rooms are all using infrasonics, and they’ve asked me to enter that space because they specify [Pro Audio Technology] into their projects," he explained. "So, we will have something. I don’t know if we’ll go to 3 Hz or anything crazy like that, but we might go to 7 or 8 Hz. And we’ll do it our own way, and it will be as tight and tuneful as what you heard in there.”
The CEDIA demo space occupied by Pro/Theory was far from ideal. As Hales pointed out, it was square-ish. Yet, the sonic presentation was dreamy... and the bass presentation was fantastic. So, to say a forthcoming infrasonic design would match what I'd just experienced was a suitable guarantee that something special was on its way.
That brings us to yesterday, when Hales used his LinkedIN presence to tease what appears to be a near-production version of Pro Audio Technology's latest creation, the PRO ULFC-221is.
Details are sparse at this time, but we have a few specs to share. The PRO ULFC-221is is, in fact, an infrasonic sub. Its output is rated from an otherworldly 8 Hz up to 125 Hz (-3dB), which means it digs well below the threshold of human hearing. And its amplifier section is capable of 8000 Watts of continuous power handling (4000 Watts AES).
Oh, and Hales boldly claims, "Our sub can beat up your sub."
While we weren't given exact physical measurements, the PRO ULFC-221is appears to be roughly 4ft tall, 6ft wide, and at least 2ft deep, though it's important to stress those numbers are complete guestimations. And, based on the heft of Ascendo's largest infrasonic subwoofers, it's safe to assume it weighs in the 300 to 500 lb range. But, again, that's a guess.
We'll have to wait for further information about the speaker's driver or drivers – though, the model name would indicate it carries two 21" drivers (credit Mark Seaton for that observation). However, that hasn't been confirmed as a definitive fact. Those kinds of details, along with cabinet design specs, will be fun to unpack...
Stay tuned for more.
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