BIC Venturi Formula 2

 The challenge was to create a reasonably small but sccurate speaker system that would not be so inefficient as to require an inordinately large amplifier to drive it, and yet be capable of delivering clean, high output sound pressure levels when used with powerful program equipment.

The BIC Venturi Formula 2 more than fulfills that objective . It is the most sensitive, highest power handling speaker system of its size ever offered.

It is result of not one, but several technical inventions and innovations carefully calculated to bring a new standard of performance to the home comparable to theater and concert hall requirements. And this is achieved with an accuracy of reproduction and economy of power that should satisfy the most critical musical tastes and limited budgets.

The enclosure is sturdily constructed to grade 1 furniture standards and finished in scuff-resistant, walnut polymer-coated wood. It is free of resonances and other spurious vibrations which add unnatural colaration (''tubbiness'', ''ringing'' or ''tunnel-like'' sounds), often mistaken as ''bas''.

A new type sonicall transparent atractive foam grille is available in a choice of black, brown, beige, burnt orange, blue and red. The grille can be resprayed to any other desired color.

An optional base, model VB-2, enhances the appearance of the Formula 2 when placed on  the floor.

Musical Dynamic Range

As music increases in sound level, the loudspeaker should remain faithfully in step at both the lowest and loudest passage, in many systems the speaker doen's "take off" until it is driven fairly hard and then at same maximum point is unable to produce more output sound to match the greater musical modulations. Some systems at this point exhibit "cone beakup" and other forms of distortion, or incur physical damage to voice coils,cones, etc. System with these problems (usually greater as the efficiency decreases) are not capable of wide 'dynamic range".

Since the Formula 2 is extremely efficient and can also handle high electrical input power with aplomb, its dynamic range will satisfy the critical listener, on all kinds of music and program sources.

Super tweeter

Although the "midrange" Biconex™ horn reproduces frequencies to actually well beyond 15,000 Hz, where most modest-sized speaker systems end, our investigations into psychoacoustic phenomena reveal a need to extend aurally perceptive response to at least 20,000 Hz or beyond, in order to preserve original sonic balance and hence musical timbre of instruments originating in the lower frequency ranges. This is particularly so in the Formula 2 because of its extended low frequency response and high energy levels. Although covering less than one musical octave (15,000 to beyond 23,000 Hz), a newly designed high efficiency high power capability super dome tweeter completes the system, and accurately handles the complex musical waveforms which contain harmonics extending into this ultra sonic range.

 Dynamic Tonal Compensation™ (D.T.C.)

The ability to hear different frequencies changes with sound level. At "discotheque" levels, most frequencies are heard equally. As the level decreases, less of the treble range and still less of the bass range is discerned. At moderate home listening levels and especially at "background" music levels, mostly the midrange is heard. Amplifier "loudness" or "contour" switches employ a fixed rate of compensation, but this is severely compromised by the efficiency of different speakers and further upset by amplifier volume control settings.

The Dynamic Tonal Compensation circuit (patents pending) automatically adjust the relationship of the midrange to the bass and treble ranges, in conformity with the Fletcher-Munson curves which have measured this human trait. Thus, as the amplifier volume control is changed the speaker alters its response to provide the ear with aurally flat response. All the music can now be heard all the time, regardless of how soft or loud it is being played. A defeat switch and continuously variable "Brightness" control on the speaker's front panel, enables the conventional use of the speaker if desired. Amplifier tone controls can still be used in the normal manner. The D.T.C. control board is located behind the removeable grille, for easy accessibility.

 Midrange

To provide a proper match to the exceptional efficiency of the bass section, the Biconex™ Pyramidal horn/compression driver unit (patents pending) was developed. To eliminate the need, as in other speakers, to interrupt the critical. Ear-sensitive midrange spectrum with a distortion producing crossover network, the operating range of this unit is 1500 to 15,000 Hz. The wide-angle deispersion pattern is uniform in all directions, permiting the cabinet to be used horizontally or vertically, as decor and physical needs dictate. A new inert material used in the horn totally eliminates metallic coloration of sound. The specially designed driver unit provides both an exceptionally smooth response throughout its assigned frequency range and an unusually high power handling capability to match the BIC Venturi bass section.

Bass

The principle of the BIC Venturi systems (patents pending) is now applied for the first time to speaker enclosure design. Briefly, it operates as an acoustic transformer in the bass range, converting low magnitudes of energy to levels many times greater and, additionaly, purer than would otherwise be possible from a woofer used in enclosures of other types. Utilizing a specially designed 8" woofer, bass notes as low as 30 Hz are solidly reproduced with thattight, clean sound which denotes excelent transient response and freedom from audible harmonic distortion.

Power

The sensitivity of the BIC Venturi Formula 2 is so high, that amplifiers or receivers legitimately rated at as low as 15 watts RMS per channel will produce more than adequate sound levels for normal home listening. The Formula 2 is from 100 to 400% more efficient than "acoustic suspension" type systems, therefore requiring much less amplifier power.

On the other hand, the Formula 2 can handle amplifiers and receivers rated as high as 75 watts RMS per channel, with ease and reliability, providing sound pressure levels rivaling the loudest concert hall passages and the noisiest discotheques. Actually, the Formula 2 is capable of even greater electrical input power, but its maximum rating is intentionally given as 75 watts since such an amplifier is capable of producing 150 watts when driven to "clipping" … a form of amplifier distortion. Even under such conditionas, the Formula 2 can take it.

Specifications

Maximum Power RMS Rated  Amplifier:  75 watts per channel

Effective Response:  30 - 23,000 Hz

Dispersion:  120° x 120°

Impedance:  at no time under 4 Ω

Controls

Manual : Continuously Variable "Brightness" Control

D.T.C. : "Automatic" with defeat switch

Driver Components:

Woofer :  8" heavy Duty

Midrange :  Biconex™ Horn/Compression Driver

Super Tweeter : Dome

Front Grille:  Removable reticulated foam

Dimensions (H x W x D):  19 ¾" x 12" x 11 ½"

Weight:  30 lbs (shipping)

Optional Base:  Model VB-2