It's one of the first really big product announcements for the upcoming MusikMesse 2009 show. Mackie will be unveiling a completely new line of powered PA loudspeakers called the Mackie HD Series, claiming to have created a "new category" of product in the process: High-Definition Live Sound.

By employing Mackie Class-D power amps and Neodymium speaker magnets, the HD Series promise to deliver very high power at very little weight. Mackie worked in conjunction with EAW to develop all-new drivers for the HD loudspeakers. Both models -- the 2-way HD1521 and the 3-way HD1531 -- feature "15 neodymium drives perfectly matched to 1.75′′ heat-treated titanium compression drivers. The speakers are internally time-aligned and bi-amped. The HD1531 adds a 6" mid range driver, as well as Mackie’s optimized WaveFront mid / high horn system for unprecedented consistency over a wide dispersion area.

The Mackie HD speakers are capable of up to 1800 watts peak for medium and even large veunes, yet also feature a three-band, integrated EQ for smaller setups. To compliment their wide range of applications, the Mackie HD Loudspeakers will sport 12-point fly systems and pole-mount sockets.

Mackie expects a delivery date of May 2009 for the HD Series, and you can too,now that Mackie has secured and brought to full operation new Chinese manufacturing facilities. The Mackie HD1521 and Mackie HD1531 will carry U.S. MSRPs of $1249.99 and $1,499.99, respectively.