1. SINCE ITS RELEASE IN 2014, JBL’S VTX V20 SYSTEM HAS
established itself as a popular option for rental companies
across the world. With multiple systems being sold into every
major market it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that rental
houses in the Middle East are adding V20 to their inventories
as well. This is all good business for Harman’s Middle East
distributor, GSL Professional, and the company believes
there are very strong reasons for local companies to look at
the system.
‘The VTX V20 is proving to be an important system for rental
companies in the region,’ says GSL Professional owner, Faegh
Fowzi. ‘The quality and durability of the product in addition to its
e ibility really adds to a rental company’s offering. The V ack
ampli er rack is one of the only racks that can be own along
with the speakers, really allowing rental companies to ma imise
the space. Something that is important with bigger and bigger
artists coming to the region.’
To prove the point, GSL is highlighting a pair of recent V20
sales. These include the rst VTX system to be sold into the
Kingdom of Bahrain and a Dubai-based rental house adding the
V20 to its e isting inventory of the larger V2 .
The Bahrain sale has seen Aldaw Musical Equipment purchase
2 VTX V20 line array elements and si VTX S2 subwoofers.
These are powered by three rown V-rack 00hd while the
rental house has also added the related accessories.
‘We the management of Aldaw Musical Equipment are
delighted to have the VTX series in our inventory,’ says Aldaw
owner, Mr Jacob. ‘As a rental company, most of our inventory is
JBL and Crown and we are proud to say we are a JBL family.’
As Aldaw is an established JBL rental company, GSL GM Sam
Brandon believes the purchase was a natural progression which
will blend well with its e isting systems. ‘Complementing their
e isting JBL S X and V X systems, Aldaw really have shown
a continued promise for great quality sound reinforcement
systems with this new purchase,’ he reasons. ‘It’s great to have
a partner in the region who really cares about great sound.’
‘I am e tremely happy Aldaw has e panded its already strong
offering, they continually want to give more to their clients
and it’s great that they choose to do this with some of the
best Harman systems,’ adds Mr Fowzi. ‘They know that the
product continually delivers and has the rugged reliability that
they require due to the large amount of work they have. I look
forward to hearing the great reviews from their clients when
they see this new purchase.’
Importantly, Mr Jacob believes the new purchase will help to
boost the rental company’s business. ‘Though the system is
yet to be tested we believe we will achieve an uncompromised
sound quality and performance and this will boost our rental
business,’ he e plains.
The second sale sees GSL return to the rental company that
purchased the rst VTX system to be sold into the Middle
East, Showtech Electronics. Despite already owning a large
contingent of the larger V2 cabinets, Showtech’s head of
audio, Wasim Shaikh, insists that the V20 was only purchased
after thorough research.
‘I always keep up to date with the market by studying other
equivalent brands and their new releases. After an e tensive
comparative study I decided to keep my loyalties with the JBL
VT and VTX series,’ he e plains. ‘VTX as a system has very
warm sounding bo es and it is on every tech rider. This built
our con dence to opt for more VTX. Also, we are constantly
looking to offer more to our clients and it made sense to give
them something that was not only getting requested but actually
sounded good and is right for the environment out here. Luckily
the JBL VTX V20 ticked all the bo es.
‘Harman International has spent a lot on their JBL research
over the last 10 years or so and it really shows,’ continues Mr
Shaikh. ‘It makes end-users such as me feel con dent that I am
providing the best possible sound to my clients. The technology
is revolutionary and not found in many other brands’ ranges. The
Crown amps have proven to be robust and, apart from that, the
performance manager software has evolved the potential of a
system engineer and makes it easy to run a system. The rigging
hardware and the patented waveguide technology has also
evolved the horizontal coverage.’
‘The improved horizontal coverage from JBL’s patented
technology combines the high frequency and mid-range
sections of the VTX V20 so the transition across each band
is uninterrupted and undistorted,’ e plains Mr Fowzi before
pointing out the importance of this deal. ‘Showtech already has
such a strong presence in the region and continues to grow that
with the large range of Harman products it has. However, it has
now taken it to the ne t level with the purchase of the VTX V20.
The V20 is such a superb piece of kit and a great addition to
anyone’s product list; I know that their clients will be very happy
with them purchasing this.’
With the system planned for use in both concert and
conference applications, Mr Brandon can again see the
business bene ts that the rental house will get from the
purchase. ‘It is fantastic to see such commitment to the
Harman brands from Showtech. Already having such a large
stock of the V20’s big brother, the full sized twin 1 -inch V2 ,
this investment really does make their systems a force to be
reckoned with in the territory.’
Staying with the business theme, Mr Shaikh re ects on how
he can see the technology providing a competitive advantage
for Showtech. ‘Our industry is based on the quality of work that
is delivered. It’s a tough environment and you don’t get second
chances. If the singer or the band doesn’t sound perfect then
it re ects badly on us and our kit, you don’t get another go the
ne t day JBL VTX series delivers the best quality of sound and
enables us to keep giving the best to our clients,’ he reasons.
‘It provides sound with no interruptions and with the horizontal
range that the components have, it allows to you disperse your
sound though the venue equally with no black spots. I would say
that it’s fast becoming a must have for other rental companies
in the region.’
www.gslprofessional.com
GSL Professional is highlighting a pair of JBL VTX V20 sales into different Middle Eastern markets
as proof that the system can be a valuable asset for the region’s rental houses. James Ling reports
20 PRO AUDIO MIDDLE EAST September–October 201
Rental asset
GSL’sMIandtouringsalesexecutive,AbboudAljuneidiwith
AldawMusicalEquipmentownerMrJacobandGSLGMSamBrandon
GSL GM Sam Brandon with Showtech managing
director, Shaji George