Dutch manufacturer Alcons Audio has expanded its portfolio with the Alcons GR20, a compact two-way speaker system developed for both mobile sound reinforcement and fixed installations. Despite its modest physical footprint, the GR20 is designed to deliver high output, wide coverage, and low distortion—hallmarks of Alcons’ professional loudspeaker philosophy.
At the heart of the system is Alcons’ proprietary ribbon technology. The GR20 uses a 6-inch RBN620rs ribbon driver, a compression transducer known for its extremely fast transient response and unusually clean signal reproduction. In practical terms, this translates to a sound that remains open, controlled, and non-fatiguing even at high sound pressure levels.
A new G-series platform
The GR20 is the first model in Alcons’ new G-series, positioned as a versatile point-source solution that sits between the company’s V-series systems and its larger L- and R-series line arrays. The goal here is flexibility: a speaker that can scale from compact live setups to immersive installations without compromising sonic consistency.
The ribbon driver operates with a flat frequency response extending beyond 20 kHz, which also provides a measurable advantage in real-world use. Compared to conventional point-source designs, the GR20 offers increased gain before feedback, making it well suited for applications where clarity and control are critical—such as live music, spoken word, and immersive audio environments.
Controlled dispersion, high dynamics
Alcons rates the ribbon driver for a peak power handling of 1,250 watts (measured at 200 ms), allowing for a very wide dynamic range between average and peak levels. This headroom is paired with a patented 80° × 50° dispersion pattern, designed to maintain consistent coverage across the listening area, including the upper frequency range where many systems tend to narrow or lose control.
Low and mid frequencies are handled by two custom 10-inch midbass drivers, each equipped with dual 3-inch voice coils and neodymium magnet systems. Alcons’ Active Coil technology is used to keep distortion low while preserving speed and punch. The drivers are arranged in a vertically symmetrical configuration around the ribbon, allowing the entire system to be driven from a single amplification channel without sacrificing output or control.
Integrated system approach
Like other Alcons products, the GR20 is intended to be used as part of a complete system. It is designed to work with Alcons’ ALC amplifier controllers, which provide factory presets, VHIR processing, and AES3 digital inputs with sampling rates up to 192 kHz. The amplification stages are built with a focus on stability and transparency rather than raw power figures alone.
This tightly integrated approach ensures predictable performance, high efficiency, and consistent results across different installations—whether the system is flown, ground-stacked, or used as part of a larger immersive setup.
From prototype to real-world use
The GR20 prototype was first shown publicly at Amsterdam Dance Event 2024, followed by further demonstrations throughout the year. Its first full production deployment took place at Amsterdam Dance Event 2025, where a complete 7.1.6 system was installed in the Dolby Atmos House.
The system was used to present immersive material from leading electronic artists, including Piano by Armin van Buuren, a track originally mixed on an Alcons system at STMPD Studios, founded by Martin Garrix.
A focused addition to the Alcons lineup
Rather than chasing maximum size or spectacle, the Alcons GR20 focuses on control, consistency, and dynamic accuracy in a compact format. For professionals looking for a point-source system that can handle demanding levels while remaining transparent and precise, the GR20 represents a thoughtful and clearly defined addition to the Alcons ecosystem.
