BSS BLU-160 – BLU link Signal Processor, EN 54-16 Compliant

Product Overview

The BSS BLU-160 is a rack-mount Soundweb London signal processor built for commercial AV installations that require configurable I/O, high-channel-count BLU link digital audio distribution, and EN 54-16 life safety certification — without the added cost of onboard Dante. Its four I/O card slots support up to 16 channels of analog, digital, AEC, or telephone hybrid connectivity, and its 256-channel BLU link bus integrates with the full Soundweb London ecosystem for large multi-zone deployments in government spaces, auditoriums, houses of worship, and corporate facilities. Configured entirely through HiQnet Audio Architect, the BLU-160 provides a deep palette of DSP objects, GPIO connectivity, and RS-232 control integration for professional system design. EN 54-16 certification makes it a compliant choice for public address and voice alarm systems where regulatory approval is required.

Product Description

The BSS BLU-160 is a single-rack-space Soundweb London chassis processor designed for installations where BLU link network audio and EN 54-16 life safety compliance take priority. Four I/O card slots each accept any of six available card types — Analog Input, Analog Output, Digital Input, Digital Output, AEC Input, or Telephone Hybrid — enabling a fully custom I/O configuration of up to 16 channels per unit. Analog Input Cards provide software-configurable gain in 6dB steps up to +48dB per channel, with per-channel 48V phantom power selectable in HiQnet Audio Architect. Digital Input and Output Cards process AES/EBU and S/PDIF audio with multiple clocking and synchronization options. AEC Input Cards provide acoustic echo cancellation for conferencing environments, and Telephone Hybrid Cards enable POTS telephone interfacing. The BLU-160 communicates over the 256-channel BLU link digital audio bus, a low-latency, fault-tolerant network using standard Cat5e cable with 100m device spacing; BSS MC-1 fiber optic media converters extend this to over 40km for campus or distributed facility deployments. The front panel provides per-channel LED indication of phantom power, sync, signal present, and clip status without requiring a PC connection, and the LCD display presents device name, type, firmware version, IP address, and subnet mask for quick field identification. A bi-directional locate function enables identification from within HiQnet Audio Architect or directly from the device, simplifying commissioning on large installations. Twelve control inputs and six logic outputs allow GPIO integration with room control systems and other compatible devices. The Soundweb London Interface Kit provides documentation for integrating with AMX, Crestron, and RS-232 third-party control platforms. EN 54-16 certification confirms the BLU-160 meets the requirements for voice alarm and public address systems in jurisdictions requiring that standard. The BLU-160 is part of the broader Soundweb London family, compatible with BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, BLU-BOB, BLU link amplifiers, and related devices.

Key Features

• Four Configurable I/O Card Slots — Accept any mix of Analog Input, Analog Output, Digital Input, Digital Output, AEC Input, or Telephone Hybrid cards for up to 16 channels of custom I/O per unit.
• 256-Channel BLU link Digital Audio Bus — Low-latency, fault-tolerant audio bus over Cat5e cabling up to 100m per segment, extensible to 40km with fiber optic media converters.
• EN 54-16 Life Safety Compliance — Certified for use in public address and voice alarm systems where EN 54-16 regulatory compliance is required.
• Software-Configurable Analog Inputs — Per-channel gain in 6dB steps to +48dB and selectable 48V phantom power, managed entirely within HiQnet Audio Architect.
• AES/EBU and S/PDIF Digital I/O — Digital Input and Output Cards support AES/EBU and S/PDIF formats with flexible clocking and sync options for integration with digital audio infrastructure.
• AEC and Telephone Hybrid Support — Optional AEC Input Cards and Telephone Hybrid Cards extend the BLU-160 into conferencing and POTS telephone interfacing applications.
• 800 MHz DSP Engine — Provides processing headroom for complex routing, mixing, EQ, dynamics, and logic processing across multi-zone commercial systems.
• GPIO Integration — 12 control inputs and 6 logic outputs for direct connection to room control systems, relay devices, and other GPIO-compatible hardware.
• Front Panel LCD and LED Indication — Per-channel LED status for phantom, sync, signal, and clip; LCD displays device name, IP address, and firmware version for field diagnostics.
• HiQnet Audio Architect Configuration — Full open-architecture drag-and-drop design environment; configurations are software-defined with no hardware jumpers or DIP switches required.
• Third-Party Control System Integration — Soundweb London Interface Kit included for AMX, Crestron, RS-232, and other control platform integrations.
• Single Rack Space Form Factor — Standard 19" 1U chassis for efficient rack installation in equipment rooms and head-end racks.

Typical Applications

• Boardroom
• Conference room
• Government space
• Auditorium
• House of worship
• Multi-purpose room
• Training room
• Commercial meeting space

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the BSS BLU-160 and the BLU-806?

A: Both units share the same 19" 1U form factor, four I/O card slots, 256-channel BLU link bus, 800 MHz DSP engine, and EN 54-16 certification. The key difference is that the BLU-806 (now BLU-806DA) adds onboard Dante / AES67 audio with primary and secondary ports and supports Dante Domain Manager. The BLU-160 uses BLU link exclusively for network audio, making it a cost-effective choice for installations that don’t require Dante interoperability.

Q: Is the BSS BLU-160 compatible with other Soundweb London devices?

A: Yes. The BLU-160 operates on the same 256-channel BLU link digital audio bus as the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-120, BLU-BIB, BLU-BOB, and BLU link amplifier family. Devices interconnect over Cat5e cable, and the full system is configured from a single HiQnet Audio Architect project, allowing mixed-device installations to be managed from one software environment.

Q: Can the BLU-160 be used in life safety or emergency PA systems?

A: Yes. The BLU-160 carries EN 54-16 certification, qualifying it for use in voice alarm and public address systems that must meet this standard. Certification documentation is available from BSS Audio’s downloads section for inclusion in project compliance submissions.

Q: How far can the BLU link bus run from the BLU-160?

A: BLU link operates over standard Cat5e cable with up to 100m between devices. Using BSS MC-1 fiber optic media converters, the distance between devices can exceed 40km. This makes the BLU-160 suitable as a head-end processor in distributed campus or multi-building AV systems.

Q: What software is required to configure the BLU-160?

A: The BLU-160 is configured using HiQnet Audio Architect (version 2.55.3 current) or the legacy HiQnet London Architect (v6.02.R3). Both are freely available. Audio Architect provides a drag-and-drop interface for building signal processing flows, routing matrices, and logic without custom scripting.

Q: Does the BLU-160 support Crestron or AMX control systems?

A: Yes. BSS provides the Soundweb London Interface Kit, Crestron Series 3 and Series 4 modules, and AMX NetLinx and HPro Gateway Comm modules for control system integration. These enable commands such as volume control, source switching, muting, and preset recall from AMX or Crestron room control processors.

Q: Where can I purchase the BSS BLU-160?

A: The BSS BLU-160 (SKU: BSSBLU160M-US) is available through Creation Networks. Contact our team for project pricing, system design consultation, and technical support.