B&W 500 Series - DM580

Top of the 500 Series range, DM580 is a three-way rear vented system designed for floor standing. In the finest B&W radition it covers the entire frequency range with high sensitivity and acoustical output coupled with exceptional linearity.

Following on from B&W's highly acclaimed and successful 100 series, the DM580 digital monitor takes full advantage of a whole new generation of design technology to produce improved performance with a higher frequency range amd lower colouration. With its easthetically pleasing styling, model DM580 is designed to anticipate individual preferences and match all types of environment.

System parameters for the B&W 500 Series have been optimised by the extensive use of computer aided design to ensure efficient and extended low frequency performance. To achieve the goal of flatter response curves and lower colouration totally new drive units have been designed- benefiting from the use of finite element predictions of cone behaviour and laser interferometer assessment of prototypes.

Quite deliberately, the B&W 500 Series of loudspeakers are described as digital monitors. They have been designed for the age of the compact disc, with all the additional requirements that this material places on the loudspeaker system - such as increased dynamic range, increased transient information, lower noise floor, etc. B&W DM580 is however, ust as much at home with good analogue material and essentially with faithfully reproduce whatever signals are fed to it.

The Drive Units

The closed box alignment chosen for DM580 employs two new 200 mm (8 in) bass drivers with 26 mm (1 in) high temperature voice coils to increase power handling and produce a highly sensitive sytem with an extanded low frequency response. The new metal-domed tweeter uses the same diaphragm as the highly acclaimed Matrix 801 Series 2 and gives true piston behaviour up to frequencies in excess of 20,000 Hz. And like all B&W components, it's B&W made.

The Enclosure

the expertise B&W have gained with cabinet technology following the invention of the B&W Matrix Series has enabled us to reduce unwanted cabinet vibration. In the case of the 500 Series our attention has been focused on the front baffle construction, and we make full use of modern structural plastics, to both strengthen and enhance the appearance.

The Crossover

Sophisticated computer technology has enabled B&W to optimise each component in the crossover network at the design stage. Every production sample is also computer-tested to dose tolerance, ensuring that each loudspeaker faithfully reproduces the original design specifications.

Specifications:

Drive Units:

1 x 26 mm high-frequency with aluminium dome, 26 mm coil on aluminium former, wound with polymide resin and heat cured

2 x 200 mm bass/midrange with composite short fibre cone, 26 mm coil on high temperature former, wound with polymide resin and heat cured

Bass Loading: Dual drive quasi third-order vented alignment

Frequency Range: 38 Hz to 30 kHz (-6 dB points)

Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20,000 Hz ±2.5 dB on reference axis

Dispersion (at 20 - 20,000 Hz):

Vertical: ±2 dB over 10⁰ arc

Horizontal: ±2 dB over 40⁰ arc

Sensitivity: 91dB spl(2.83V 1m)

Distortion (for 95 dB at 1 m):

Second harmonic: <3% (20 - 200 Hz); <1% (200 - 20,000 Hz)

Third harmonic: <15% (20 - 200 Hz); <1% (200 - 20,000 Hz)

Crossover: Fourth-order acoustic response low-pass and high-pass, plus first-order difference filter

Nominal Impedance: 8 Ω

Power Handling: 10 W – 150 W into 8 Ω on unclipped programme

Dimensions (W x H x D): 236 x 886 x 407 mm (9¼ x 34 ⅞ x 16 inch)

Weight: 18,5 kg (40 lbs)

Finish: Black ash or walnut vinyl