Vandersteen Model 3 loudspeaker

The Aligned Dynamic Design

The Model Three uses the proven Vandersteen Aligned Dynamic Design to optimize the dispersion and transient accuracy of the drivers while maintaining the input signal's time and phase integrity. The drivers, their positioning and their associated minimum baffles were developed with the aid of FFT computer analysis to minimise diffraction, cone break-up, multi-driver interference and out-of-band phase irregularities. The construction, alignment and positioning of the driven allow a point-source wave front and maximize the phase coherence of the loudspeaker at the listening position.

The Aligned Dynamic Design is used for the Model Three due to its many potential advantages:

Precise, more dimensional imaging and a wider listening area

A greater flexibility of placement options within the listening room and better "real word" transient response due to the lack of out-of-phase rear-wave cancellations.

A high level of genuine transparency and detail typical of planar speakers without the dege-clamping distortion that exist in all rectangular electrostatic and planar panels

Increased efficiency and improved dynamic range.

 

The components used in the Model Three combine durability and strength with innovative design and construction. The metal-alloy dome-tweeter is a dual-chamber design to improve range and linearity. It is critically damped to extend the high frequencies past audibility without the excessive ringing associated with open or underdamped metal dome tweeters. The alloy used for the dome was chosen for its superior strength and resistance to break-up compared to common dome materials.

With the application of years of experience in FFT computer analysis and research into the negative effects of diffraction, a unique, proprietary midrange driver has been developed that outperforms previous designs in several significant parameters. In conventional cone midrange, the acoustic energy from the back of the cone immediately strikes the front of the driver's magnet assembly and is reflected back through the cone and into the listening room.

This distorted secondary signal created by the internal diffraction smears the sound of the driver and inhibits true transparency. The frontal area of the magnet assembly on the Model Three midrange has been minimized through the use of advanced materials and construction techniques to reduce internal diffraction and the resultant distortion to inaudible levels. With the elimination of this distortion, the sound of the Model Three is cohesive and smooth with a level of inner resolution unequalled by other dynamic loudspeakers.

The active acoustic coupler and woofer use costly cast-metal baskets rather than more common stamped baskets. The cast-metal baskets inherent rigidity and superior vibration control increase cone movement accuracy and reduce sympathetic resonances for cleaner and more natural sound. Filled polycones are used on the woofer and midrange to insure higher internal stiffened and greater neutrality than woven plastic or treated paper cones. The stiff, low weight polycones resist flexing under all drive conditions for lower distortion and increased detail.

The dual-spider active acoustic coupler accurately complements the woofer to reduce box loss, thermodynamic loss and active/passive transfer nonlinearities. This novel Electro-Mechanically Optimized Woofer System provides powerful, detailed and extended bass response as the Model Three operates much more closely to the ideal than any conventional ported or passive design.

 

The crossover in the Model Three is comprised of transient-perfect, first-order networks designed to preserve the phase integrity of the music. It is compensated to allow the drivers to operate in absolute phase with each other for more precise and stable imaging than conventional multi-way speakers using out-of-phase drivers. The crossover's computer grade components, including low impedance air-core inductors and high-quality film capacitors in the signal path, are hand soldered on a double-sided, plated-through PC board tested to insure less than 0,1 dB deviation from a reference circuit. Custom 6N wire with polypropylene dielectric is used for internal wiring to maximize signal transfer.

The crossover is engineered for bi0wiring with a stereo amplifier or two monoblock amplifiers or passive vertical bi-amplification with two identical stereo amplifiers or four identical monoblock amplifiers. Inputs are heavy-duty screw terminals.

 

The baffles holding the drivers of the Model Three are as small as possible to eliminate virtually all of the early reflections that affect dynamic speakers with conventional flat or low diffraction baffles. Reducing both early reflections and edge diffraction improves the imaging and enhances the openness and transparency of the speaker.

The enclosure of the Model Three is constructed of MDF, a wood product far more dense and acoustically inhert than conventional particle-board. Broad-spectrum, low -Q resonances are controlled so as to cancel rather than become additive.

 

Specifications

Impedance:  6 Ω  nominal; 4 Ω  minimum

Efficiency:  89 dB with 1 watt of pink noise input at 1 meter on axis

Recommended Amplification:  100 to 200 watts per channel into 8 Ω .
The amplifier must be stable into a 4 Ω  load.

Frequency Response:

26 Hz to 30,000 Hz ±3 dB

30 Hz to 22,000 Hz ±1,5 dB by FFT step function

Dispersion:  26 Hz to 17 kHz ±3 dB 30degrees off axis

Crossover Frequencies:  600 Hz and 5 kHz First-order, 6 dB per octave

Input Connections:  2 pair of heavy duty screw terminals

Recommended Placement:  12-inches or more from the rear wall,

Cabinet Finish:  Hand-matched and finished natural oiled wood veneers

Dimensions (H x W x D):  48" x 16" x 10,25"

Weight:  88 lbs net