ADS L620 loudspeakers

The Drivers

ADS manufactures all of the drivers used in its speakers. This fact alone distinguishes ADS from a large majority of speaker system manufacturers, who must purchase most or all of their drivers from bulk suppliers. ADS thus maintains total control over system matching quality and engineering improvements. Proper design and manufacture of the drivers obviate the need for unnecessarily complex, efficiency-robbing crossover networks typical of many "sophisticated" speaker systems which represent nothing more than valiant attemps to match inherently incompatible drivers. Each ADS driver, furthermore, embodies the most advanced design, materials and manufacturing techniques in the industry.

The Tweter

The L620 (L520 and L420) have in common ADS 1-inch acoustic suspension soft-dome tweeter, which accounts for their ultra-clean, "airy" high-frequency response. This unit's unusually small diameter and precise shape results in high-frequency extension and wide, uniform dispersion unmatched by other designs. The dome is constructed of a super-light fabric-like material coated with a proprietary "sticky" damping compound. It has none of the "ringing" and other resonance-related distortions common to other materials. Soft to the touch, the tweter nonetheless functions as a perfectly stiff piston through its operating range, thus ensuring low distortion and coloration.

The tweeter's voice coil features a sophisticated and unusual single-layer winding. (Most similar tweeters must use two layers of windings in their voice coils to achieve the required number of turns.) Although difficult to execute, this technique yields an incredibly high force-to-mass ratio through lowered moving mass and increased magnetic field intensity. Further aided by a powerful Barium Ferrite magnet, the ADS 1-inch tweeter delivers superb high-frequency extension, excellent transient response, extremely low distortion and high efficiency.

The tweeter also features an all-metal voice coil structure which is unsurpassed in dissipating heat. Its narrow-gap magnet design, more-over, promotes efficient thermal transfer for effective cooling of the voice coil during high-current drive. This "air-cooled" voice coil structure  can only be achieved through high-precision assembly, and it is more efficient than "liquid-cooled", ferrofluid-filled systems. It should not be surprising, therefore, that very few tweeters, including those with voice coils of larger diameter, can handle as much power as the ADS 1-inch soft-dome tweeter.

All ADS soft-dome tweeters, furthermore, feature airtight cavities behind the diaphragm. In effect an independent miniature air suspension system, the tweeter enjoys total acoustic isolation; and, equally important the trapped air acts as a highly linear diaphragm "spring" which does not deteriorate with age as in other designs.

The Woofer

While a woofer obviously need not be as light as a tweeter, low mass (relative to a given driving force) is an absolute necessity for well-damped, hangover-free bass. A woofer cone must simultaneously be as "dead" as possible - it must have a high degree of internal damping -  in order to avoid imparting its own chaaracter to the sound. (Tapping a woofer cone with the eraser-end of a pencil should produce a dull "thump" rather than a sharp, "live" sound.) and yet, the cone must be as stiff as possible in order to avoid "breaak-up" and other non-piston;like behavior. These three seemingly contradictory requirements take on added importance in two-way designs because the woofer is called on to accurately reproduce midrange frequencies in addition to bass information. While many driver manufacturers have used various exotic materials in attempts to meet these requirements, ADS firmly believes it has the closets thing yet to the ideal woofer cone: Stifflite

The L620 (L520 and L420) have 7-inch (8-inch and 10-inch) diameter woofers, respectively. All three woofers feature ADS tapered Stifflite cones. Stifflite is a relatively thick material formed of air-filled, randomly-oriented pulp liber in a unique "sandwich" construction. The internally trapped air damps resonances and keeps the structure very light, while the thickness of the construction lends high structural rigidity. And yet, the Stifflite cone is thick only where it needs to be - toward the outer edge - and tapers off where the extra mass is not required for rigidity.

Coupled to each cone are a low-mass high-temperaature metal voice coil at one end, and a highly flexible and uniform rubber surround at the other. The voice coils feature two layers of windings (where most other woofers use four), and they are precision-aligned into deep, narrow magnetic gaps. The results speak for themselves. The woofers have exceptionally light moving systems (lighter than voice coils alone in typical competitive designs). They excel at midrange frequencies, a sore point with most larger two-way systems. They do not "color" the sound, and their ability to excurse freely and linearly makes possible surprising aamounts of deep, undistorted bass. Correctly dimensioned Barium Ferrite magnets coupled with low moving mass ensure high efficiency and damping. The woofers boast exceptional power handling capability thanks to their high-temperature voice coil assemblies. Their efficiency and power-handling combine to give the L620 (L520 and L420) unusually wide dynamic range.

The Crossover Network

Many speakers have crossover networks with numerous power-robbing, distortion-inducing components, which are needed to correct driver performance anomalies and match grossly different driver efficiencies. Other have ridiculously simple, inexpensive crossovers too embarrassing to show or discuss in literature. ADS networks are necessarily sophisticated because musical accuracy is highly dependent on proper transition from woofer to tweeter. But, thanks to ADS advanced driver technology, ADS crossover networks are free of excessive complexity and have the lowest power loss and distortion figures in the industry.

The crossover characteristics and frequencies for the L620 (L520 and L420) systems have been selected through computer analysis and extensive acoustic measurements and extensive auditioning. The network components, furthermore, are of the finest quality. All critical capacitors, for example, are computer-grade metalized polyester-film rather than the more common and less expensive electrolytic variety. Bass section inductors are "over-designed" with extra-heavy-gauge copper wire and special low saturation, low dynamic distortion ferrite cores. All high-frequency inductors are air-core designs. The coils, as a result, are extremely linear over the system's operating range and have the lowest measured DC resistance among modern production loudspeakers. The corossover networks of the L620 (L520 and L420) thus provide seamless transition from low to high with maximum daamping and minimum distortion throughout the speakers entire frequency and dynamic range.

Advanced Acoustic Suspension Design

All enclosed ADS speakers employ the acoustic (air) suspension principle for two basic reasons. First, it is ADS belief that a properly designed acoustic suspension system offers the best, most consistent bass performance for a given size and cost, for the widest range of applications. Second, since acoustic suspension provides a highly linear diaphragm restoring force (trapped air) which is not dependent on the mechanical suspension of the driver, it delivers the most stable performance over years of use.

ADS acoustic suspension designs, however, go far beyond these basic considerations. ADS superior drivers and networks ensure the highest system efficiency. The L620 (L520 and L420) are demonstrably more efficient than other acoustic suspension systems of comparable bass performance. Surprisingly, they are also more efficient than most bass reflex systems of comparable internal volume and bass rsponse, even though theeory dictates the revers. (Most bass reflex systems lose their theoretical efficiency advantage to poor drivers and/or networks) This enables the L620 (L520 and L420) to be driven to startling sound levels with amplifiers as small as 15 watts per channel, an important economic consideration since amplifier power is not a cheap commodity. ADS acoustic suspension design, furthermore, ensures maximum bas accuracy and extension. All parameters are carefully chosen to maximize system damping and provide a smooth, gradual bass rolloff. Unlike "one-note" boom boxes which may initially impress the unseasoned listener, the  L620 (L520 and L420) produce bass of substance and subtlety, apprecaiation and enjouymebt of which can only grow over years of ownership.

The Enclosure

The  L620 (L520 and L420) cabinetry is a supreme example of ADS attentionto detail. The enclosures are precision-constructed from 3/4-inch extra-high-density particle board, which provides the mass, rigidy and acoustical properties necessary to keep sonic coloration to an absolute minium. They are beautifully finished in select natural walnut. The drivers are carefully flush-mounted onto the piano-finish front baffle to minimize  surface diffraction effects. The curved metal grille is acoustically transparent, and it eliminates the need for frames and supports, which cause further diffractive interference in conventional grille designs. ADS thus achieves remarkably diffraction-free performance in the  L620 (L520 and L420) without resorting to unusual, and frequently unsightly cabinet shapes. The lack of diffractive interference gives these speakers an open, "unboxed" sound quality and pinpoint-accurate stereo imaging, characteristics unusual in bookshelf speaker systems.

Tweeter protection

Since the tweeter is the most likely driver to be damaged by amplifier misbehavior (including clipping and oscillating) or abouse, the  L620 (L520 and L420) have tweeter protection fuses located in special compartments on their rear panels. Spare fuses are included in these compartments for convenience.

Accuracy Above All

Sonic accuracy is often defined as a lack of recognizable character. Since ADS believes that speakers should be transducers rather than sound generators, it should not be surprising that the  L620 (L520 and L420) sound remarkably similar to one another. They sound, in fact exceedingly like all other ADS speakers. And you will find this sound exciting and spectacular only if you find live music exciting and spectacular. If upper-bass boom, larger-than-life "presence", and sizzling highs are your cup of tea, you will find the  L620 (L520 and L420) unimpressive and perhaps even disappointing. If these speakers have a sonic "signature" at all , it is their transparent, effortless and neutral sound character, a feature common to all ADS speakers.

L 620

Specifications

Frequency Response:  30 - 20,000 Hz ±3 dB (20 - 22,000 Hz ±5 dB)

Impedance:  6 Ω (nominal), 4 Ω (minimum)

Efficiency:  92 dB SPL with 2,8 V RMS ( 1 watt) pink noise input measured at 1 m in typical listening room (2000 ft²)

Driver Complement:

HF :  1" soft dome tweeter

LF :  10" Stifflite woofer

Crossover:  1,500 Hz  12 dB/octave

Power Rating:  75 watts (nominal),  150 watts (max peak program)

Recommended Amplifier Power:  15 watts (minimum), 150 watts (maximum)

Cabinet:  Selected natural walnut over extra-high-density particle board

Baffle:  piano black finish with diffraction corrected flush driver mounting

Grille:  Acoustically transparent removable frameless grill in bronze finish.

Dimensions (Hx W x D):  25-1/2" x 14-1/8" x 11-3/4"

Weight:  18 kg (40 lbs)

ADS L520 loudspeakers

ADS is in a unique position to answer the needs of the discriminating music lover who is also mindful of his budget.

Among the best known of ADS two-way systems are ADS  Minature Speakers. Their introduction shocked the audio world and clearly established ADS as a leader in miniaturization technology. Miniature or not, ADS speakers have consistently delivered the greatest performance for a given enclosure volume. ADS also builds some of the most sophisticated and prestgious professional monitoring system in the world. Chosen by the most critical recording and broadcast engineers in the industry. ADS speakers have gained an enviable reputation for advanced technology, superior design, uncompromising quality, and pacesetting performance.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that ADS produces some of the best two-way bookshelf speaker systems that money can buy. The ADS L520 (L420 and L620) are results of the very same technology which has put ADS Minispeakers at the head of their class. They incorporate many elements of the largest, most expensive ADS professional Monitor. They are designed and built with the same "old-World" care, attention to detail and quality components.

Value is getting more for your money

The  L520 (L420 and L620) offer a degree of quality and performance rarely found at any price. But don't take our word for itt. Compare their specifications, quality of construction and sonic performance to the competition. Compare the  L520 (L420 and L620) not only to other speakers of comparable size and driver complement, but also to larger, costlier speakers. Buying a similarly priced speaker simply because it is bigger or has more drivers may well prove to be false economy.

The  L520 (L420 and L620) deliver tonal accuracy, wide frequency raange, low distortion, high efficiency excellent stereo imaging, fast traansient response and wide dynamic range which set new standards for two-way speaker performance. Their advanced design, lavish construction, uncompromising manufacture and extraordinary performance ensure untiring musical entertainment and uncommon long-term value.

L 520

Specifications

Frequency Response:  35 - 20,000 Hz ±3 dB (25 - 22,000 Hz ±5 dB)

Impedance:  6 Ω (nominal), 4 Ω (minimum)

Efficiency:  92 dB SPL with 2,8 V RMS ( 1 watt) pink noise input measured at 1 m in typical listening room (2000 ft²)

Driver Complement:

HF :  1" soft dome tweeter

LF :  8" Stifflite woofer

Crossover:  1,500 Hz  12 dB/octave

Power Rating:  50 watts (nominal),  100 watts (max peak program)

Recommended Amplifier Power:  15 watts (minimum), 100 watts (maximum)

Cabinet:  Selected natural walnut over extra-high-density particle board

Baffle:  piano black finish with diffraction corrected flush driver mounting

Grille:  Acoustically transparent removable frameless grill in bronze finish.

Dimensions (Hx W x D):  21-5/8" x 12-1/4" x 10-1/2"

Weight:  14 kg (30 lbs)

ADS L420 loudspeakers

Who is ADS?

Analog and Digital Systems is an expanding youg high technology Amarican company with roots in European craftsmanship and esthetic sensitivity. We are dedicaated to innovation and leadership but not technological novelty for its own sake. At ADS advanced technology is always at the service of musical enjoyment, and it is always firmly grounded in the sciences of physics, chemistry and acoustics. Over the years, ADS products have consistently received high critical acclaim and won conveted design and engineering awards. Having made headlines in 1975 with the now-famous ADS 2001 System,, the world's first high-fidelity bi-amplied miniatuure speaker system. ADS technology today extends to a complete line of home and professional speaker systems, bi-amplification and modular systems, ambience synthesis (digital delay) systems and automotive audio products. ADS 2-way bookshelf speaker further exemplify ADS engineering excellence in pursuit of better music reproduction.

L 420

Specifications

Frequency Response:  48 - 20,000 Hz ±3 dB (38 - 22,000 Hz ±5 dB)

Impedance:  6 Ω (nominal), 4 Ω (minimum)

Efficiency:  92 dB SPL with 2,8 V RMS ( 1 watt) pink noise input measured at 1 m in typical listening room (2000 ft²)

Driver Complement:

HF :  1" soft dome tweeter

LF :  7" Stifflite woofer

Crossover:  1,500 Hz  12 dB/octave

Power Rating:  50 watts (nominal),  100 watts (max peak program)

Recommended Amplifier Power:  15 watts (minimum), 100 watts (maximum)

Cabinet:  Selected natural walnut over extra-high-density particle board

Baffle:  piano black finish with diffraction corrected flush driver mounting

Grille:  Acoustically transparent removable frameless grill in bronze finish.

Dimensions (Hx W x D):  17-1/2" x 11-1/4" x 7"

Weight:  7 kg (16 lbs)

McIntosh XRT 18 loudspeakers

The McIntosh XRT 18 system produces sound uimages that are amazingly life-like. You'll hear stereo images that have depth and space dimensions that are so realistic, so satisfying that you will feel aware of the dramatic emotional intensity of your first experience of live music.

When you first hear the XRT 18's you will be amazed by five outstanding characteristics:

Transparency of sound

Coherence of sound imaging

Definition of musical instruments

Musical balance

Musicality of expression

Absence of typical loudspeaker sound

The core of the concept of the XRT 18 system involved not only the usual guidance from years of experience and the intuitive vision of a new possibility, but in this case it centered, as well, around a one and only choice from hundreds of possible cones, suspensions, magnets, agnetic assemblies, crossover network components, enclosure volume, stiffnes and geometry. that one critical choice is an optimized interrelatedness which yields, via computer modeling, the extra smoothness of the time and energy response fields which has eluded researchers for decades.

This miracle of sound recreation does not happen by accident. To reproduce the power, the clarity, and the pure musical expression of a triple fortissimo it takes a lot of individual speaker mechanisms. the XRT 18 distriubutes  the power over 32 tweeters, two midranges and two bass mechanisms. All of these must be coordinated in time and intensity to achieve the uniformity of sound images, wide, deep, accurate, realistic and satisfyimng. How we combined all of these radiators in the correct combination of pairs of radiators, controls of energy and time is the story of the XRT 18 system.

The voice coil assembly is joined directly to the rigid cone. It moves in the magnetic field of an oversized magnet and magnet structure. This voice coil assembly is centered and suspended in the magnetic field by a special cloth spider. The compliance of the spider is controlled by the careful impregnation of the cloth with phenolic resins. Diligent engineering decades of experience and continuous testing determined the selection of the right mass of the cone assembly for the ideal match of the energy capability of the magnetic structure. The cone and voice coil assembly is attached to the speaker basket with the centering spider and a critically formed closed cell urethane surround which is coated with a proprietary sealant.

The six inch mid-range was designed to complement the frequency range of both the twelve inch woofer and the one inch dome tweeters. Construction is very similar to the woofer except the mass and size of moving parts are greatly reduced to accommodate the higher frequency range. The rear of the mid-range is acoustically isolated from the woofer so that it cannot be driven by the back pressure wave of the woofer.

The one inch high frequency domes are made of a specially formulated textile. each dome is attached to a copper wire voice coil wound on a high temperature form. The assembly is centered and suspended in the magnetic field by a special surround. Both dome and surround are  coated with a proprietary material to make an air tight seal. The surround is connected  to an intermediate ring which is fastened to the magnet assembly.

Specifications

Frequency Response:  20 - 20,000 Hz

Reference Output Level:  86 dB (SPL) 1m/1W

Maximum Power:  150 watts of contiuous power (the system is capable of up to 500 watts program peaks)

Recommend Power:  As little as 30 watts may be used for smaller rooms and lower listening levels.

Fuse Protection:  system is protected by a 3 amp fast acting main fuse. The tweeters are protected by a 1=1/4 amp fast acting fuse.

Impedance:  8 ohms nominal

Crossover Frequencies:  350 Hz and 1500 Hz

Speaker Sizes (diameter):

Woofer :  305 mm (12 inch)

Mid-range :  152 mm (6 inch)

Tweeters :  25,4 mm ( 1 inch)

Cabinet Construction

The bass cabinet and high frequency column frame are made of 48 pound density fiber board with genuine walnut veneer exteriors. The finish  is a 23 step process including 6 hand applications  of oil-sealer with intermediated hand sanding and rubbing operations which enhances the full beauty of the walnut.

Cabinet Dimensions:

Bass Cabinet (W x H x D):  445 x 691 x 298 mm (17-1/2 " x 27-7/32" x 11-3/4")

Tweeter Column (W x H x D):  267 x 1456 x 413 mm (10-1/2" x 57-5/16" x 1-5/8")

System Weight:

Bass Cabinet :  28,6 kg (63 lbs)

Tweeter Columns :  13,2 kg (29 lbs)

Total Stereo System Shipping Weight:  98 kg (216 lbs)

Soma 765B loudspeakers

765B Quality Canadian Audio Components
The 765B is an extremely efficient speaker system. In fact, the 765B will sound three times louder than another speaker in its price range with no increase in amplification.
The Piezo Electric tweeters have been mounted at 15° angles for improved dispersion and the system provides a full rich response without low frequency muddiness or high frequency distortion, even when fully boosting bass and treble on your amplifier.
Soma's quality controls ensure that you may never have to use our 5 year warranty policy.

Specifications
Drivers
Low Frequency :  1 x 12" (305 mm) Woofer
Mid Frequency :  1 x 5-1/2" x(140 mm) Midrange
High Frequency :  2 x Piezo Electric Tweeter
Frequency Response:  20 Hz - 30,000 Hz
Max. RMS Power:  150 watts
Crossover Frequency:  800 Hz / 4500 Hz
System Resonance:  45 Hz
Efficiency:  93 dB/1 watt /1 m
Impedance:  8 Ω
Dimensions (H x W x D):  700 x 420 x 365 mm (27-1/4" x 16-1/2" x 12")
Weight:  22,7 kg (50 lbs)

Soma 755B loudspeakers

755B

Quality Canadian Audio Components
The 755B offers acurate studio quality reproduction, distinctive clarity which is a result of advanced and innovative engineering
Distortion in the 755B is 1% in the frequency range above 80 Hz, a very rare occurrence in speaker systems
Each component follows Soma's exacting quality and testing standards, along with final systems testing using a "Frequency Spectrum Analyzer" to ensure uniformity and reliability.
Soma's quality controls ensure that you may never have to use our 5 year warranty policy.

Specifications
Drivers
Low Frequency :  1 x 12" (305 mm) Woofer
Mid Frequency :  1 x 5-1/2" x(140 mm) Midrange
High Frequency :  1 x 1" (25 mm) Tweeter
Frequency Response:  22 Hz - 22,000 Hz
Max. RMS Power:  100 watts
Crossover Frequency:  1000 Hz / 3500 Hz
System Resonance:  48 Hz
Efficiency:  89 dB/1 watt /1 m
Impedance:  8 Ω
Dimensions (H x W x D):  670 x 420 x 365 mm (26-1/4" x 16-1/2" x 12")
Weight:  20,5 kg (45 lbs)

Soma 735B loudspeakers

 

Quality Canadian Audio Components
Our least expensive threeway system in this seies combines outstanding drivers in a vertical arrangement, controlled by a complex frequency dividing network.
The 735B is a sophisticated system for a moderate investment. The through advanced engineering has resulted in a highly accurate natural sound reproduction, combined with a handsome appearance.
Soma's exacting quality controls ensure that you may never have to use our 5 year warranty policy.

Specifications
Drivers
Low Frequency :  1 x 10" (250 mm) Woofer
Mid Frequency :  1 x 5-1/2" x(140 mm) Midrange
High Frequency :  1 x 2" (50 mm) Tweeter
Frequency Response:  25 Hz - 20 kHz
Max. RMS Power:  75 watts
Crossover Frequency:  800 Hz / 3500 Hz
System Resonance:  51 Hz
Efficiency:  89 dB/1 watt /1 m
Impedance:  8 Ω
Dimensions (H x W x D):  600 x 340 x 280 mm (23-3/4" x 13-1/4" x 11")
Weight:  18,2 kg (40 lbs)

Soma 725 B loudspeakers

Quality Canadian Audio Components
New techniques in acoustical analysis were applied to create and refine the 725B
The new high frequency radiator for wide dispersion and superb power capacity along with the uniquely damped low frequency loudspeaker gives the 725B speaker a controlled smooth frequency response with deeper bass notes, unprecedented ina two way system. Soma's exacting quality controls ensure that you may never have to use our 5 year warranty policy.

Specifications
Drivers
Low Frequency :  1 x 10" (250 mm) Woofer
High Frequency :  1 x 2" (50 mm) Tweeter
Frequency Response:  30 Hz - 20 kHz
Max. RMS Power:  60 watts
Crossover Frequency:  2500 Hz
System Resonance:  55 Hz
Efficiency:  95 dB/1 watt /1 m
Impedance:  8 Ω
Dimensions (H x W x D):560 x 305 x 280 mm (22" x 12" x 11")
Weight:15,9 kg (40 lbs)

Genesis 500 loudspeakers

Genesis 500

The Genesis 500 employs our newest innovations, delivering live listening levels across the entire frequency spectrum with spatially accurate imaging, and yet, is only 44 inches tall and 11 inches wide. The cabinetry is hand crafted with compound miters and covered in beautiful rosewood veneers and hardwoods. This combinataion yields a visually stunning finished product. but close your eyes so you can focus on the full impact of a symphony orchestra in your living room.

Like all Genesis loudspeakers, the 500's employ a dipole design (from the mid-bass couplers on up) producing sound from both the front and the rear, one out of phase with the other. While the advantages of dipole design are many, the two main benefits are ease of placement in the room and more natural, spacious soun reproduction.

Dipoles achieve their superior performance because they create a radiation pattern where the energy emanating to the sides of the speakers is nearly non-existent. With very little acoustical energy reaching the side walls of your living room, not only is placement of the speakers easy but, remarkably, the listener is able to experience the music unencumbered by the normal room interactions which plague most other speaker systems.

The Genesis 500 loudspeakers utilize some of our newest and most sophisticated technology. Set within each multifaceted cabinet are two 1-inch planar ribbon tweeters, one of our  newly-minted 5-inch titanium cone midrange modules, a 6-inch aluminium cone mid-bass coupler, and three 8-inch metal cone servo woofers driven by an integral G-SAT 500-watt servo-controlled switching power amplifier.

As in all Genesis loudspeakers the drives used in the 500's are custom-crafted devices designed and tuned by Genesis engineers for transparent, and dynamic performance.

the tweeter used in both the front and back of the Genesis 500 has been descirbed by many reviewers in both the American and foreign audiophile press as "possibly the world's best". It is a 1-inch planar ribbon design that is handcrafted from an extremely thin, laminated membrane of aluminum and kapton. It measures a mere 0,0005 of an inch thick. the advantage of incorporating such an extremely thin membrane is its low mass. the result of this design is a driver that produces a rapid and uniform response to high frequency transients and has the speed of the best ribbon/electrostatic designs without the characteristic distortion and poor dispersion associated with them.

The new 5-1/2" midrange driver is machined from pure titanium, one of the lightest and stiffest materials known to man, its super-low mass and virtually distortionless motor structure make it one of the best transducers ever made. With its nearly instantaneous transient response, this titanium midrange inspires the Genesis 500 loudspeakers to sound lifelike and effortless.

To create a "soundbridge" between the midrange and the servo-woofer system, the 500's incorporate our world-renowned 6-1/2" aluminum cone mid-bass coupler. Being of an extremely light and stiff design, this aluminum cone is capable of handling the huge dynamic range demands of the system while maintaining extremely low coloration and excellent transient response.

Servo control of the woofers coupled with metal cone technology creates the phenomenal bass performance of the 500's. Listening to traditional woofer systems, one could describe the bass as "heavy, soggy or boomy" to some extent because the woofer has high mass and therefore high inertia.

This causes poor control and high distortion, in a servo woofer sytem, complete control of the woofer is made possible by the addition of a motion sensor mounted directly on the woofer itself. the resultanr decrease in distortion, greater frequency extension and tight control yield musically accurate yet "floor shaking" bass.

Specifications:

Frequency Response:  22 Hz - 36,000 Hz (±3 dB)

Sensitivity:  90 dB

Impedance:  4 ohms

Crossover:  4th oreder Linkwitz Riley phase corect

Amplifier (each):  500 watt RMS switching amplifier

Dimensions (W x H x D):  11" x 44" x 22"

Weight:  141 lbs each

Acoustic Energy AE3 loudspeakers

Reference loudspeaker, model AE3

The AE3 is a high power, trhee-way loudspeaker featuring "Metal-cone" low-frequency and mid-range drive units. The well proven 130 mm (5") "Metal-Coe" drive unit, as used in the AE!, has been further developed and is used int he AE3 in a mid-range form in a heavily damped tubular transmission line enclosure within the main enclosure. The AE3 has the power and scale of much larger speakers but retains the dynamics, transparency, speed and detail of the AE1. "Metal-Cone" technology is protected by european patent application no.87310904,5 United States patent application no.133,020, World patents pending

Specifications

Frequency Response;  25hz - 30,000 Hz

On Axis of HF at 1 m :  55 Hz - 17,000 Hz ±2,5 dB

On Axis of MF at 1 m :  55 Hz - 17,000 Hz ±2,0 dB

Off Axis of HF±30° Horizontal at 1 m :  55 Hz - 14,000 Hz ±3 dB

Off Axis of HF +15° Vertical at 1 m :  55 Hz - 17,000 ±3 dB

Off Axis of HF - 15° Vertical at 1 m :  55 Hz - 16,000 ±2 dB

Sensitivity:  87 dB

Impedance:  4 Ω min. At 110 Hz (typically 6 Ω)

Total Harmonic Distortion:  typically 0,3% (range 200 Hz - 20 kHz)

Power Compression Factor:  Not measurable below 100 watts power input from band limited pink noise 63 Hz - 20 kHz

Power Handling:  for use with amplifiers up to 250 watts RMS

Crossover:  3-way system Crossover frequencies 300 Hz and 3 kHz. 18/24 dB per octave filter slopes, 32 element - all coils low DCR (Iron Dust Core or Air Core) all capacitors low loss electrolytic or polyester

LF Unit:  40 mm Edgewound ribbon copper voice coil on high thermal conductivity former thermally coupled to tri-layer ultra hard alloy 160 mm diaphragm, max linear electrical peak to peak excursion - 10 mm max. Mechanical peak to peak excursion - 20 mm

MF Unit:  32 mm Wdgewould ribbon copper plated aluminium voice coil on high thermal conductivity former thermally coupled to tri-layer ultra hard alloy, 90 mm Diaphragm, high gauss, low viscosity ferrofluid damped and cooled.

HF Unit:  25 mm Edgewound ribbon copper plated aluminium voice coil thermal ly coupled to magnesium alloy 25 mm Diaphragm. Ferrofluid damped and cooled. Damped rear chamber loaded.

Connectors:  3 set 4 mm Binding posts for Tri-wiring

Cabinet:  Precision engineered MDF enclosure with bonded high density lining finished in black texture, Supplied with removable front grille

Dimensions (W x D X H):  275 mm x 385 mm x 640 mm

Weight:  33 kg (each)

Dali DaCapo loudspeakers

The Dali DaCapo is a supremely neutral musical instrument over a broad frequency band, capable of reproducing an accurate illusion of the natural ambience of the recording venue and of the relative position of the musicians on a stage. The Dali DaCapo is not a high efficiency loudspeaker, nor is it a "loud and proud" party animal. What it can do with unparallelled grace and precision is disappear on those rare and precious occasions ehen the artist's performance and the labours of the studio engineers place you in the palpable presence of living music. If this is the experience you are interested in, then the Dali DaCapo will bring you years of listening pleasure.

Ribbon design

Theoretically, there are two approaches to the construction of a ribbon driver: 1) a single, pure aluminium ribbon, or 2) several aluminium ribbons electrically connected in series and laid out in parallel on a foil backing. The pure aluminium ribbon has the lowest mass, but also several disadvantages. For one thing, current only passes through the magnetic field once, which means low efficiency, and secondly, the impedance of such a ribbon would be very low, making the loudspeaker compatible with only the most esoteric (and expensive) amplifiers. Thhis would be in conflict with our express intention to make the Dali DaCapo compatible with economically amplifiers of good quality. To achieve reasonable efficiency and an acceptable impedance, we opted for 4 aluminium conductor tracks on a foil backing with a thickness of 12 micrometers. This yields an impedance of almost 4 ohms, with virtually no phase angles, making the Dali DaCapo child's play for any quality amplifier.

A magnetic gap in excess of 15 mm will not be uniform, with force decreasing towards the center of the field. Thus the magnetic force exerted on the ribbon closest, to the magnets will be greatest, since they are electronically in series. By employing aluminium conductor tracks of different width, wee vary the current density, thus compensating for variations in the strength of the magnetic field.

Crossover

The crossover network is a linear phase 3rd order filter with large air core inductors and capacitors selected after extensive listening tests. The choice of internal cable was also the result of listening sessions: LC-OFC (Linear Crystal Oxygen-Free Copper) for the ribbon driver and 2,5 mm oxgen-free cable for the bass driver. The total system impedance is approx. 4 ohms, but because of the frequency indpendent nature of the load, the Dali DaCapo is a suitable partner for any quality amplifier. The crossover, which includes a fuse to protect the ribbon, is conveniently located at the bottom of the loudspeaker. The generous screw terminals accept banana plugs, spade lugs and cable diameters up to 10 mm.

Cabinet design

In the Dali DaCapo form reinforces function. The cabinet, a radical departure from the garden-variety loudspeaker enclosure, has side panels of MDF, a material with high density and excellent internal damping. The side panels of the bass section are 28 mm MDF. The same material is used in a 45 mm thickness for the ribbon section. The rear panel is assembled from three sections of the finest quality chipboard which join at odd angles and reinforce each other in an extremely rigid system. The front panel of the Dali DaCapo is also a special sandwich construction, with an outer section which is mechanically isolated from the rest of the cabinet using a visco-elastic damping board. The bass driver is mounted directly on this board for effective damping of cabinet resonances. Internal bracing has been carefully calculated through modal analysis and three adjustable spikes form a solid foundation for the Dali DaCapo, allowing the listener to tilt the speaker at just the right angle for a given listening position.

Specifications

Drivers:

Woofer :  10 x 40" membrane driven with 8" woofer

Midrange/ Tweeter :  40" ribbon

Frequency Response:  45 - 20 ,000 Hz (±4 dB)

Impedance:  4 Ω

Sensitivity:  85 dB/1m (2,83 V)

Recommended Amplifier:  50 to 200 W/channel

Dimensions (W x H x D):  450 x 1180 x 310 mm (18" x 86-1/2" x 12")

Weight:  30 kg

Technics SB-R1 loudspeakers

Point-Sound-Source Speaker System

For soundstage focus and precise imaging, the wave-fronts from a speaker’s drive units should ideally be aligned, arriving simultaneously at the listener’s ears regardless of the listening position. In other words, the speaker system should appear to have have only one point sound source. The newly developed flat coaxial two-way speaker unit, combining midrange and treble drivers, works with a virtual coaxial woofer to realise a point sound source, providing smooth directional characteristics over the entire frequency range, without peaks or dips

Phase Precision Driver (Flat Coaxial 2-Way Speaker Unit)

For faithful reproduction of mid-range and high-frequency sound, Technics has developed an all-new flat coaxial two-way drive. The flat mid-range diaphragm is of a sandwich construction, using lightweight, high-rigidity carbon cloth skins and aluminium honeycomb core.

It maintains a perfect pistonic motion over a frequency band extending beyond the crossover point with the tweeter, while eliminating the frequency distortions caused by the ‘cavity effect’ in conventional cone diaphragms. The magnetic circuit employs a large magnet, copper cap, copper shorting ring and short voice coil with high-density edgewise winding to achieve high drive power and low distortion, while the speaker chassis is die-cast aluminium, with a resonance-dispersing structure to eliminate even the smallest unwanted vibration.

Ultra Wide Range Reproduction

Thanks to a carbon graphite dome tweeter mounted at the centre of the flat mid-range drive unit, the SB-R1 is capable of reproducing frequencies all the way up to 100 kHz. And with bass extension down to 20 Hz, it’s ready to deliver the vast frequency spectrum offered by high-quality, high-resolution music sources.

High-Quality Network Circuit

The High-Quality Network Circuit was created as a result of extensive designing and listening, in order to maximise the performance of each speaker unit and achieve a balanced sound. To prevent interference between the drive units and minimise the effect of vibration, separate network boards for woofer, mid-range and tweeter are optimally arranged inside the cabinet.

High Rigidity Round Form Cabinet

A 50-mm-thick baffle used in the cabinet supports the speaker units rigidly and suppresses undesirable resonances, while side panels comprising eight layers of MDF give the cabinet a curved form, suppressing unwanted vibration and reducing internal and external diffraction and reflection.  

An internal partition divides the cabinet into upper and lower sections, and eliminates low-order standing waves in the vertical direction. The choice of absorbent acoustic material and its position were optimised based on the frequency band of each drive-unit as well as the cabinet volume, thus further suppressing standing waves inside the cabinet, and even the rings round each drive unit are made of a material with high internal loss to eliminate unwanted emitting from anywhere other than the speaker sound diaphragm.

The glossy finish on the cabinet is created through a series of processes including repeated coating, sanding, and polishing, the high degree of craftsmanship complementing the speakers’ high-quality sound. The finish even suppresses fine vibrations generated on the cabinet surface, thus contributing to the accuracy of the sound.

Low Distortion 16-cm Long Stroke Woofer

Technics has developed a long-throw woofer capable of reproducing super-low frequencies with dramatically reduced distortion, giving powerful, dynamic and responsive bass. A push-pull edge (Symmetrical Surround Technology, SST) design cancels secondary harmonic distortion in the low-frequency range.

1 - Flat coaxial 2-way speaker unit

The newly developed flat coaxial two way speaker unit features a dome tweeter capable of reproducing frequencies of up to 100 kHz, which incorporates a rigid and lightweight carbon graphite diaphragm. In addition, the speaker unit features a flat midrange diaphragm that eliminates the frequency characteristic disturbance due to the cavity effect caused by the cone diaphragm. The result is a point sound source that achieves superb sound localisation and provides smooth directional characteristics over the entire frequency range without peaks or dips.

2 - Low distortion long stroke woofer

The woofer offers low distortion and superb response in reproducing frequencies even with large amplitude, delivering bass sound with a wide dynamic range.

3 - High rigidity round form cabinet

Designed to eliminate unwanted vibration, diffraction reflection, and standing waves, the cabinet allows the reproduction of faithful and rich sound ambience.

[A]
Woofer 160 mm (for all 4 woofers)

Two layered cone and dust cap unified diaphragm

Low distortion SST (Symmetrical Surround Technology) edge

Opposed double damper

Low distortion magnetic circuit

[B]
Phase Precision Driver

Carbon Graphite dome diaphragm for up to 100khz Ultra-Wide range reproduction

Low distortion magnetic circuit

Three layered aluminium core flat diaphragm

Specifications

Type:  3,5-way 6 speakers, bass-reflex type (coaxial 2-way midrange/built-in tweeters)

Speaker Unit

Woofer :  16 cm (6-1/2") cone type x 4

Midrange/Tweeter :  Coaxial 16 cm (6-1/2") flat type x 1 / 2.5 cm (1") dome type x 1

Impedance:  4 Ω

Input Power (IEC):  300 W (MAX);  150 W (RATED)

Sound Pressure Level:  88 dB (2.83 V/m):  85 dB (W/m)

Frequency Range:   20 Hz to 100 kHz (-16 dB);  28 Hz to 90 kHz (-10 dB)

Crossover Frequency:  300 Hz, 3 kHz

Dimensions (W x H x D):  408 x 1260 x 522 mm (16-1/16" x  49-19/32" x 20-9/16")

Weight:  72 kg (159 lbs)