To overcome complex acoustic reflection and speech intelligibility challenges in reverberant spaces, German professional audio manufacturer AVE Audio GmbH is expanding its digitally steerable loudspeaker and audio electronics platforms. Based near Stuttgart, Germany, AVE Audio develops fixed-installation audio solutions encompassing active digitally steerable columns, passive column speakers, digital mixers, DSP mixing amplifiers, and dedicated control software. In an interview with Research Engineer Matteo Romanin, the company highlighted recent developments within its flagship ASCOLTO family, including the AH, FF, and LH Series. Engineered specifically for churches, mosques, auditoriums, and conference facilities, ASCOLTO active column loudspeakers combine integrated amplification with Multi-Beam DSP processing and Dante networked audio connectivity. By generating multiple independent acoustic beams with adjustable vertical dispersion angles, AVE Audio enables system integrators to direct acoustic energy precisely onto listening areas while minimizing reflective excitation from walls and ceilings.
Interview with Matteo Romanin, Research Engineer – DSP & Audio Systems at AVE Audio GmbH
A brief description of the company and its activities.
Matteo Romanin: AVE Audio GmbH is a German manufacturer of professional audio equipment for fixed installations. Based near Stuttgart, the company develops and manufactures solutions for speech reinforcement and sound distribution, with particular attention to applications where speech intelligibility, controlled sound coverage and reliability are essential.
Our activities cover loudspeaker systems, audio electronics, digital signal processing and control software. The AVE portfolio includes digitally steerable and passive column loudspeakers, digital mixers, mixing amplifiers and microphones. Our systems are used in churches, mosques, auditoriums, conference facilities, public buildings and other acoustically demanding environments.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
M.R: Our main activity is the development and manufacture of professional installed-audio systems.
Column loudspeakers represent an important part of our business. We offer both conventional passive columns and digitally steerable systems for applications where precise control of sound dispersion is required.
Alongside the loudspeakers, AVE develops digital mixers, DSP-based mixing amplifiers and the related control software. We also offer a range of microphones, including wired, wireless and desktop models, as well as customised solutions for particular installations.
What’s the news about new products/services?
M.R: A major focus of our current development is the ASCOLTO family of digitally steerable column loudspeakers. The range includes the AH, FF and LH Series, designed for different acoustic environments and applications.
Recent developments have concentrated particularly on DSP functionality and greater flexibility in beam control. Multi-Beam technology allows several independent acoustic beams to be generated and individually adjusted, which is especially useful in complex rooms or where different listening areas have to be covered from the same loudspeaker position.
We are also continuing the development of our digital mixing and amplification platforms, with particular attention to networked audio, remote control and Dante-based installations.
What are the ranges of products/services?
M.R: Our portfolio covers the main components required for professional fixed audio installations.
The loudspeaker range includes the ASCOLTO digitally steerable columns and passive column speakers such as the ATLANTIC Series. Depending on the project, this allows us to offer either advanced DSP-controlled beam steering or a more conventional passive solution.
Our electronics include the Andante digital mixers, DMX mixers and DMV mixing amplifiers. AVE also supplies wired, wireless and desktop microphones, together with customised microphone solutions where required.
In addition, we provide the DSP and control software needed for configuration, equalisation, dynamics processing, delay, routing and system adjustment.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
M.R: The installed-audio market remains active, although investment decisions are generally being made more carefully. Customers are increasingly looking for systems that combine good acoustic performance with reliability, straightforward installation and long-term serviceability.
For AVE, an important part of the market is represented by acoustically difficult environments, particularly churches, mosques, auditoriums and other large reverberant spaces. In these applications, speech intelligibility and accurate control of sound dispersion are often more important than simply achieving a high sound pressure level.
At the same time, there remains a solid market for conventional passive systems, especially where simpler infrastructure or integration with existing 100 V installations is required.
What can you tell us about market trends?
M.R: A clear trend is the continuing move towards digital and networked audio systems. Technologies such as Dante make signal distribution easier and allow complex installations to become considerably more flexible.
At loudspeaker level, there is increasing demand for integrated DSP and more precise control of directivity. Instead of treating the room only through equalisation, installers can increasingly control where acoustic energy is actually directed.
At the same time, not every project requires a fully digital solution. Passive column loudspeakers continue to be important, particularly for straightforward installations and refurbishment projects.
Another relevant trend is architectural integration. Especially in churches and historical buildings, loudspeakers and microphones must provide the required performance without dominating the architecture visually.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
M.R: The ASCOLTO Series is currently the most technologically advanced part of our portfolio.
These active digitally steerable column loudspeakers combine integrated amplification, dedicated DSP and precise vertical directivity control. Depending on the model, they can create several independent audio beams and adjust their vertical position and opening angle according to the geometry of the listening area.
This makes it possible to concentrate acoustic energy where it is needed and reduce unnecessary excitation of walls, ceilings and other highly reflective surfaces. The result is particularly beneficial in large reverberant environments, where speech intelligibility can otherwise be difficult to achieve.
The FF Series, for example, combines Multi-Beam processing with Dante connectivity and is intended for demanding applications where both speech and music reproduction are required.
What estimations do you have for the second half of 2026?
M.R: For the second half of 2026, we expect continued activity particularly in the fixed-installation sector and in projects requiring controlled sound coverage and networked audio.
We are seeing encouraging interest in the ASCOLTO range, both in Europe and in international markets, and we expect this area to remain an important part of our development. At the same time, our passive loudspeaker systems, mixers, amplifiers and microphones continue to form an important part of complete AVE installations.
Our objective for the remainder of the year is therefore to strengthen our international presence, support our distributors and installers, and continue the technical development of the ASCOLTO platform and the associated digital audio products.
This development will continue into 2027, when AVE Audio will also exhibit at ISE 2027 in Barcelona, giving us the opportunity to present our latest solutions and meet customers and partners from international markets.
Overall, we remain cautiously positive about the second half of 2026, while recognising that investment decisions in many markets are still influenced by general economic uncertainty.
