Soundtube HP1290I 12" 2-way Hanging Speaker

Product Overview

The SoundTube HP1290I is a 12-inch 2-way hanging speaker engineered for high-ceiling commercial venues where standard pendant speakers fall short on coverage and output. Featuring SoundTube's patented BroadBeam Ring waveguide technology, the HP1290I delivers consistent 85-degree dispersion at 2 kHz — reducing hot spots and dead zones in large open spaces. With a sensitivity of 96 dB and 150 watts continuous / 300 watts program power handling, this commercial pendant speaker for high-ceiling applications provides the output margin necessary for gyms, arenas, airports, and houses of worship. UL 1480 and UL 2239 certifications confirm its readiness for life-safety and structural compliance requirements in commercial construction.

Product Description

The HP1290I is built around a 12-inch treated fiber cone woofer with a treated cloth surround, concentrically mounted to a 1.375-inch mylar compression driver paired with SoundTube's BroadBeam Ring waveguide. The concentric driver arrangement is central to the HP1290I's performance: the tweeter fires directly through the center of the woofer, creating a single coherent point source that avoids the comb-filtering artifacts common in offset two-way designs. The result is smooth, wide-dispersion audio from low frequencies through the high end.

The 2-cubic-foot ported ZeroReflection enclosure is molded from glass fiber-reinforced ABS — a material chosen for its rigidity, resistance to humidity, and ability to hold its shape in environments where MDF would be problematic. The ported tuning extends bass response below 60 Hz, which is substantial output for a hanging speaker intended for background music and sound reinforcement. The crossover is a steep 4th-order (24 dB/octave) design on both the high-pass and low-pass sections, providing clean driver protection and minimal overlap between the woofer and compression driver.

For distributed audio systems operating on 70.7-volt or 100-volt constant-voltage lines, the HP1290I includes a low-insertion-loss 150-watt transformer with a five-position rotary tap switch. Transformer taps are rated at 19W (25V), 150W (70.7V), and 150W (100V), with a transformer bypass position for direct 8-ohm operation. The minimum impedance in bypass mode is 6.6 ohms, making it compatible with most commercial amplifiers without impedance concerns.

Input is via a 4-pin 5.08mm Euroblock connector, included in the box. The package also includes impact-resistant powder-coated steel grille, hanging hardware, safety cable, and a terminal weather boot. Optional accessories include surface mount brackets, beam clamps, forged eyebolts, additional hanging kits in 10-, 20-, and 50-foot lengths, and replacement Euroblock connectors — allowing the HP1290I to be configured for virtually any rigging condition. CE, RoHS, UL1480A, and UL2239 certifications are on file.

Key Features

• Patented BroadBeam Ring Waveguide — Produces consistent 85-degree coverage at 2 kHz, reducing listener-to-listener variation in large open venues.
• 12-Inch Treated Fiber Cone Woofer — Handles 150W continuous / 300W program with a treated cloth surround for durability and extended high-excursion operation.
• 1.375-Inch Mylar Compression Driver — Concentrically mounted through the woofer center for point-source dispersion without time-alignment issues.
• Ported ZeroReflection ABS Enclosure — 2-cubic-foot glass fiber-reinforced ABS cabinet extends bass to 59 Hz (±10 dB) and resists moisture and temperature cycling.
• 4th-Order Crossover at 2.2 kHz — 24 dB/octave Linkwitz-Riley topology provides clean driver separation and protection at high SPL levels.
• 150-Watt Low-Insertion-Loss Transformer — Supports 25V, 70.7V, and 100V distributed audio systems with a five-position rotary tap switch.
• 96 dB Sensitivity — High efficiency reduces amplifier power requirements and operating costs across large multi-speaker installations.
• UL 1480 and UL 2239 Certified — Meets UL fire alarm speaker and hanging hardware standards required in commercial and institutional occupancies.
• 4-Pin Euroblock Input — Industry-standard connector simplifies field termination and is compatible with commercial AV wiring practices.
• Comprehensive Accessory Ecosystem — Surface mount brackets, beam clamps, eyebolts, and 10/20/50-foot hanging kits available for any rigging scenario.
• Powder-Coated Steel Grille Included — Impact-resistant grille ships with the unit; optional black replacement grille available separately.
• Available in Black and White — Two standard finish options to coordinate with interior ceiling colors without custom finishing costs.

Typical Applications

• Sports arenas and gymnasiums with ceiling heights above 20 feet where conventional in-ceiling speakers cannot project sufficient SPL to the floor
• Houses of worship with open vaulted ceilings requiring wide coverage and speech intelligibility across a large congregation area
• Airport terminals and transit halls where background music and paging must cover expansive open spaces on 70.7V or 100V distributed systems
• Convention centers and ballrooms needing high-SPL sound reinforcement from a discrete hanging installation
• Industrial facilities, warehouses, and manufacturing floors with ambient noise levels that demand a 96 dB sensitivity speaker
• Retail environments with exposed ceilings or open-plan architecture where pendant speakers are the preferred aesthetic

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What ceiling height is the HP1290I designed for?

The HPi series is engineered specifically for high-ceiling applications — typically 20 to 50 feet. The 96 dB sensitivity, 300-watt program power handling, and BroadBeam Ring waveguide allow the HP1290I to project sufficient SPL and coverage to floor level at these heights.

Does the HP1290I work on 70.7-volt distributed audio systems?

Yes. The built-in transformer supports 25V, 70.7V, and 100V distributed systems via a five-position rotary tap switch. A transformer bypass position is also included for direct 8-ohm operation with a standard amplifier.

What is BroadBeam Ring technology?

BroadBeam Ring is SoundTube's patented waveguide design that couples the compression driver to a ring-shaped aperture surrounding the woofer cone. This produces a wider, more uniform dispersion pattern — 85 degrees at 2 kHz — compared to conventional horn or dome approaches, reducing coverage gaps between speakers in multi-speaker arrays.

Is the HP1290I UL listed for fire alarm use?

The HP1290I carries UL 1480 (UEAY) listing for use as a fire alarm speaker and UL 2239 certification for hanging hardware. These listings are required in many commercial and institutional occupancies for speaker systems used in emergency notification and paging applications.

What accessories are available for different rigging configurations?

SoundTube offers surface mount brackets (AC-HP-SM1290-BK), beam clamps (AC-BC-1), forged eyebolts (AC-FE1), snap links, and hanging kits in 10-foot (AC-HP-HD10), 20-foot (AC-HP-HD20), and 50-foot (AC-HP-HD50) lengths. Contact Creation Networks for current accessory availability and pricing.

What input connector does the HP1290I use?

The HP1290I uses a 4-pin 5.08mm Euroblock connector, which is the industry standard for commercial installed sound wiring. A Euroblock connector is included with the speaker; a replacement is available separately as an optional accessory.

Is the HP1290I available in both black and white?

Yes. The HP1290I ships in black (SKU: HP1290I-BK) or white (SKU: HP1290I-WH). Both finishes are stocked. An optional black replacement grille (GRL-HP1290-BK) is available separately.