Diapason Ástera

Ástera

The new reference stand-mount loudspeaker designed by

Alessandro Schiavi in collaboration with Roberto Pasetti,

Ástera represents the evolution of the Adamantes III, renowned

and appreciated throughout the world for its exquisite

musicality and beautiful cabinetry.

Ástera`s cabinet is a work of great artistry, hand-made by the

finest Italian craftsmen whose knowledge and skill in this

traditional craft are handed down from generation to generation.

The multi-faceted diamond shape of the Ástera was designed

to provide a circular pattern of sound-wave emission from the

loudspeaker, thus giving a close approximation to the

theoretical ideal of point-source radiation.

The benefits will be appreciated during listening as the

loudspeakers themselves `disappear` from the musical scene,

providing the listener with a sensation of great detail and

realism within a solid and convincing soundstage.

The same multi-faceted shape is also found inside the cabinet.

This gives very effective control of internal reflections, while

the use of wood of different thickness for the structure helps to

ensure that the cabinet is virtually resonance-free.

The choice of drive units, crossovers, terminals and all ancillary

components for the Ástera project was made without

compromise. Only the finest components from the very best

makers were selected.

The loudspeaker drive units and crossovers used in Diapason

loudspeakers are the result of advanced research, and each is

tested and matched to closer than 1% tolerance to ensure best

performance and stereo balance.

The tweeter is a 29mm soft-dome unit with Hexadym magnet

and double damping and ventilation.

The woofer has a Nextel-treated paper cone with an injection

moulded metal chassis. The crossovers are hard wired

throughout using Van den Hul oxygen-free copper and silver

cable, a superior method which avoids the problems that can

affect even the best printed circuit boards.

Ástera`s ability to portray the full sonic spectrum of a recorded

musical event is a revelation. Music is endowed with natural

transparency, great detail and a correct and convincing

feeling of space.

Excellent too is the dynamic impact and the ability of the

loudspeaker to reproduce the micro-contrasts of instruments

and voices within a complex musical scene without ever losing

focus or coherence.

The 4/U dedicated stand for Ástera uses a resonance-damping

system already tried and tested with success on previous

Adamantes models. It relies for its effect upon the use of

different materials and the particular way in which they are put

together. The massive structure and considerable weight of the

stand makes the combination of loudspeaker and support very

stable to the benefit of sonic performance, especially in the

low register. The 4/U stand consists of four metal support

columns and side panels in real hardwood which together give

a pleasing look and great rigidity.

The height of the 4/U stands is 72cm, and adjustable spikes are

provided . The stand can be placed on a hard floor surface, or

on a carpet or rug.

SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency response - 38/20.000 Hz

Bass driver Ø - 180 mm paper cone Nextel coated

Tweeter Ø - 29 mm silk soft dome

Efficiency - 88 dB/W/m

Freq. crossover - 1.600 Hz

Nominal impedance - 8 Ohm

Type - rear-ported reflex speaker

Finish - Canaletto walnut solid wood

Weight per speaker - 13 Kgs

Weight per stand - 26 Kgs

Dimensions speaker - (w x d x h) 260x442x380 mm

Dimensions speaker on stands - (w x d x h) 280x442x1146 mm