Peavey has updated the best-selling PR Series powered loudspeakers with its new class D amplifier topology for even lighter weight on the new PR 15D and PR 12D models.

The Peavey PR 15D and PR 12D are two-way powered loudspeaker systems engineered with a bi-amplified class D power section that drives a 12″ woofer with a robust 150 watts continuous and a 1.4″ titanium-diaphragm RXâ„¢14 compression driver with another 50 watts continuous. This high-speed amp topology yields the highest audio resolution and efficiency available, and has helped the PR Series shed 20% more weight than previous models, down to a mere 37 lbs. for the PR 15P and 28 lbs. for the PR 12P. more

For as long as entrepreneur and philanthropist Mortimer Levitt could remember, music was his passion. On evening strolls through Coney Island’s Luna Park, Levitt fell in love with the music he heard in the rides and restaurants. The impressions those summer nights in New York made stayed with him throughout his life.

Mortimer Levitt eventually made his fortune in the custom-tailoring business, but his passion for music and the arts never wavered. In 1963, he created the Mortimer Levitt Foundation to provide communities with venues where everyone could experience the arts under the stars. He established the first Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Westport, Conn., in 1974, with this goal in mind. more

Peavey Electronics introduced the nation’s first “Afterschool Is Key” specialty car tag to support afterschool programs—and awarded one talented singer with a pro recording session—at its annual Lights On Afterschool extravaganza, held Oct. 16 in its hometown of Meridian, Miss.

Lights On Afterschool is a nationwide rally that emphasizes the importance of keeping lights on and doors open at afterschool programs. Each year, Peavey invites hundreds of children from afterschool programs to the prestigious MSU Riley Center for Education and the Performing Arts for the celebration. Since 2005 that event has included the Peavey Afterschool (Not) Idleâ„¢ youth singing competition. more

INDIANOLA, Miss.—The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center opened September 13 with a three-day celebration and an historic concert that paired the blues legend with several of the marquee artists he has inspired.

Tracing King’s journey from the fields of the Mississippi Delta to Beale Street and beyond, the museum displays a trove of memorabilia to illustrate the artist’s life and inspiration. Among the guitars and artifacts are 1950s-era 78-rpm recordings from the personal collection of Peavey Electronics Founder and CEO Hartley Peavey, a lifelong blues aficionado. Even the $15 million facility itself is part of the collection, built onto the cotton gin where King worked as a young man. more

As the world’s top athletes compete in Beijing this summer, audio distribution systems from Peavey MediaMatrix® are providing audio networking and sound reinforcement for the 2008 Olympic Games at several major sports venues across China.

Peavey MediaMatrix NION® Series processing nodes—bundled with NWare™ software, the modern industry-standard software for audio and communications system design—are tasked with distributing the event announcements and background music for Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium, where the men’s USA Team will be led by NBA stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, and the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court, which will host world-class competitors such as Venus and Serena Williams. more

Tim McGraw’s Live Your Voice Tour has chosen the ribbon-loaded Peavey Versarray line-array system for two stages on the country-music superstar’s 2008 North American dates.

Dave Albro—a veteran live-sound engineer whose mixing credits include Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Roy Clark—and A2 Devan Skaggs are running two separate Peavey Versarray systems for Road Dog Touring, one configured for the Frito’s® Style Sonic Stage and a second system on McGraw’s VIP Stage. more

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Hard Rock Park, the world’s first rock ‘n’ roll theme park, is a multifaceted musical experience that brings to life the iconic music that changed the course of music history and continues to influence generations of music fans. more

Crest Audio is boosting the power of its successful CCâ„¢ Series amplifiers with the new flagship CC 5200. Based on powerful, proven Crest Audio Pro 200â„¢ Series technology and utilizing a linear power supply, the CC 5200 delivers 5,200 watts of clean power for main systems, monitors and subwoofers.

Built on the solid foundation of legendary Crest Audio amplifier designs, CC Series power amps provide tremendous value in pro amplifier technology. CC Series amps deliver world-class power with exceptional sound quality and value for mobile DJs, working bands, club owners, churches and more. Utilizing advanced production techniques and Crest Audio-designed toroidal transformers for consistent, robust output, the CC Series exemplifies the Crest tradition for solid, reliable and innovative power amp designs. more

Crest Audio will introduce the new X Series rackmount mixers, the successor to the widely regarded X-Rack Series, at InfoComm 2008. X Series mixers feature the same lauded sonic accuracy, quiet operation and core features as their predecessors, plus an updated circuit design and four new models: the X18R and X20R for mains and the X18RM and X20RM configured for monitors.

With high-end performance and rock-solid construction, Crest Audio X Series mixers feature a modular package coupled with an extensive feature set suitable for virtually any application. more

Architectural Acoustics by Peavey proudly introduces the new PHRâ„¢ Series loudspeakers, designed specifically for compact, in-ceiling operation in permanent installations.

The Architectural Acoustics PHR Series ceiling-mount enclosures are ideal for high-intelligibility voice, program music and versatile signal reproduction in commercial, industrial and institutional applications. more