Sound Devices ships the A20-RX, a new 2-channel receiver with SpectraBand technology

Sound Devices is shipping the A20-RX: a two channel, true diversity receiver with industry-exclusive SpectraBand technology.

SpectraBand gives the A20-RX receiver and A20-Mini transmitter an unprecedented tuning range of 470 MHz to 1525 MHz. The A20-RX also features high-discrimination front end filtering for better performance in noisy RF environments and Frequency AutoAssign for faster setup. The receiver is compatible with both A20-Mini and A10-TX transmitters.

The SpectraBand technology eliminates the need for purchasing different wireless receivers dedicated to specific frequency bands. It covers approximately 285 MHz of available spectrum in the United States and 383 MHz in the United Kingdom. The A20-RX is the first receiver on the market that can tune not only in common UHF TV bands around 470 to 608 MHz, but far above that.

In the USA, the A20-RX can tune to the 600 MHz guard band (614–616 MHz), 600 MHz duplex gap (653–663 MHz), 900 MHz ISM Band (902–928MHz), 900 MHz STL Band (941.5–960 MHz), and, with the appropriate license, the 1.5 GHz AFTRCC band (1435–1525 MHz). This is in addition to the core USA UHF TV band from 470–608 MHz that’s commonly available.

In the UK, the A20-RX can tune to the 800 MHz duplex gap (823–832 MHz), 800 MHz guard band (863–865 MHz), and, with a proper license, the DME and 1.5 GHz bands (961–1015 MHz, 1045–1075 MHz, 1105–1154 MHz, 1518–1525 MHz). This is in addition to the core UK UHF TV band from 470–702 MHz that’s commonly available.

The A20-RX is the second product in Sound Devices’ first wireless product line. The first product, the A20-Mini transmitter, is receiving a free firmware upgrade to enable SpectraBand when used with the A20-RX. The A20-RX is compatible with all tuning ranges of the full-size A10-TX and is SuperSlot compatible with an SL-2 SuperSlot Wireless Module and 8-Series mixer-recorder.

Two notable features of the A20-RX are its front-end filtering and Frequency AutoAssign. Tracking filters are common in wireless receivers, but the A20-RX uses low-loss, brick-wall SAW filters to deliver better performance in noisy RF environments. The filters also provide excellent immunity from nearby IFB or camera hop transmitters without the need for external filters or extra cabling. The AutoAssign feature scans a user-designated tuning band and selects available frequencies for the A20-RX’s two channels. This feature is designed to make frequency selection and setting quick and easy.

The A20-RX is available for purchase worldwide. It retails at $2,995. Sound professionals with the previous model, A10-RX, can upgrade the hardware of their receivers to the A20-RX for $995 or for a reduced price of $750 if they purchased their A10-RX within the last 12 months or an A20-Mini since June 1st. The upgrade program lasts until the end of 2022.