Review: WORK PRO NEO S8A Subwoofer

In our blog ‘Tested by our technician’, the audio experts of Tau Audio Solutions test various audio products and systems for you.

WORK PRO NEO S8A subwoofer

For months it was on our wish list to be put through its paces, the NEO S8A from WORK PRO. The WORK PRO NEO series loudspeakers consists of various on-wall loudspeakers from 3” to 8”, indoor and outdoor loudspeakers, and some powered loudspeakers, including the NEO S8A.

The appearance of the NEO S8A

The NEO S8A is an 8” powered subwoofer and isn’t a typical subwoofer for 130 dB sound pressure with matching size and weight. The subwoofers cabinet is 52 x 40 cm and 13 cm high. The height of 13 cm is not the exacte measurement ; intotal the loudspeaker is about 2 cm higher when the speaker is on the floor or wall mounted. At the backside of the subwoofer is a wall bracket that allows you to mount the speaker on the wall, both horizontally and vertically. The wall bracket is supplied as standard and has been specially designed for this model.

The NEO S8A speaker can be hung up or placed down. At the rear of the loudspeaker is also the amplifier module with connections, the 8” woofer itself and the bass reflex port. The front of the NEO S8A is an MDF wooden panel in the colour white (RAL 9003) (also available in black (RAL 9004)) with the WORK PRO logo on it.

Specifications of the NEO S8A

According to WORK PRO, the maximum SPL of this speaker is 98 dB. Measured in our test lab, we get to a 103dB before the audible distortion hits.

Image: graph of the measured maximum SPL, crossover at 50Hz

The NEO S8A loudspeaker has three connections and four buttons:

• Mains connection
• Balanced stereo line inputs
• High-level input
• On-off switch
• Voltage selector (230V/115V)
• Gain
• Crossover frequency

In the graph shown earlier, the crossover button was all the way counterclockwise; 50Hz according to the button itself, as you can see from the graph a fifth higher (1.5x rounded). With the crossover knob all the way to the right, we see a drop-off from about 100Hz. The crossover frequency can be set between 50 and 150 Hertz.

How does the S8A actually sound?

It is always difficult to answer such questions. The NEO S8A subwoofer actually sounds as you would expect from the price and size. With a littlebit turning of the knobs, possibly reversing the phase (there is no knob for this, so you reverse the + and – on the inputs), you can add dimension with this and many other speakers. The old translator loudspeakers in the test lab get a (idling) truck rumble, the NEO 5 loudspeakers go from ‘nice speakers’ to ‘that sounds good. Also the column loudspeakers from WORK PRO do that now too.

WORK PRO has already come up with this idea and is also marketing the NEO Set 100BT. This is the same subwoofer as the S8A with a different amplifier, cinch inputs and two outputs for the included NEO 3 speakers and is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity. Interessting for use, for example, in a restaurant.

Conclusion

And the NEO S8A? On the wall under your speech column in a church, as subwoofer(s) for a distributed audio system with WORK PRO NEO speakers, in your yoga room, executive office, in shops and more. The applications with the NEO S8A subwoofer are extensive and diverse. As part of the NEO series, the NEO S8A subwoofer is a perfect complement to the speakers from the same series.

The WORK PRO S8A is definitely worth it, because after all the sweeps at maximum volume, this speaker still works great.

Curious about the possibilities of WORK PRO for your project?

Do not hassitate to contact us. Our audio experts at Tau Audio Solutions are happy to help you with any questions. In addition, we have almost all products of WORK PRO and the other brands in the portfolio in stock, we can quickly provide for projects. Do you need more information about a specific product or advice when purchasing or installing the right audio setup? Please, contact us via the contact form or call +31(0)50 549 90 90.

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		WORK PRO NEO5A-es
		WORK PRO PA1254 amplifier
		Timesignaling systems from Bodet
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