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Audiophiles know Linn as a high-end consumer electronics company, creator of such products as the legendary LP12 turntable, compact amps, preamps, and speakers, and the innovative Kivor hard-disk music server.

But Linn has also been involved with the professional audio market since 1972. It has created products and processes, including studio monitor loudspeakers, 12" tonearms, unique cutting lathe technology with automated continuous radius compensation, and the Rekursiv digital recording system.

Latest in that long list of pro audio progeny is the company's new 328A Professional Monitor Loudspeaker, which is being introduced at this week's 114th Audio Engineering Society Convention in Amsterdam. Resembling ET's head lifted off his neck and set on a recording console, the 328A features a distinctive four-way active loudspeaker design.

According to Linn, the 328A is a rugged, industrial design specifically suited for the unique environment of recording console mounting. Although compact in the Linn tradition, the 328A features cabinet materials not used by before by the company in this type of application and is "two-man" heavy with removable side handles for lifting into position.

So if the 328A is used in the recording studio to make a record, wouldn't a pair of the speakers be ideal for playing back that recording in a listener's living room? Not necessarily: Linn says that the 328A is an active near/mid-field monitor that is an evolution of the design developed for the Komri loudspeaker launched to the consumer and pro markets last year. Like the Komri, the 328A has an acoustic driver array for the mid/upper and extended frequencies and servo active bass control. The 328A also features integral Linn active amplification and crossovers controlling each individual driver.

The design team for the 328A, like that of the Komri, was led by Linn Records' Philip Hobbs, who says his initial requirement "for a fully active and accurate full-range near/mid-field monitor" for Linn Records' and other professionals' use with on-console positioning, led to the development and launch of the 328A.

Linn adds that the new speaker was developed with fast and efficient service in mind. "We hope to establish the highly modular 328A as the reference monitor of choice in professional applications where performance and sound quality matter."