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
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