AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Open Baffle Speakers => Topic started by: JohnR on 5 Apr 2017, 12:48 pm

Title: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: JohnR on 5 Apr 2017, 12:48 pm

This post is a list of commercial/off-the-shelf open baffle speakers. Speakers listed should be currently and reasonably available (I have no interest in creating a historical list of every OB speaker ever made... if someone else wants to do that, please do and I will sticky it ;) )

Listed speakers must meet this Definition of Open Baffle (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=149677.0). In some cases I will list a speaker and mark it as an "honorable mention" if it gets close enough to the criteria. I've decided not to spend the time listing speakers that are "open baffle" only on the midrange driver - these should be evaluated like any other boxed speaker.

The list is ordered roughly by starting price of the range. If I didn't easily find a price there's none there and I took a wild guess at where to put in the list.
 
Please post in this thread if you have a suggestion that is not already here or additional information that should be added.

• Caintuck Audio Betsy (http://www.caintuckaudio.com) (USD350-450, bass baffles USD175 each)
• Spatial Audio (http://www.spatialaudio.us/products/) (USD1,695 to USD24,500)
• Manzanita Audio Solutions (http://manzanitaaudiosolutions.com/products.html) (USD2,500 to USD3,950)
• Emerald Physics (https://www.emeraldphysics.com/categories/panel-speakers) (USD2,495 to USD9,995)
• Decware ZOB (Zen Open Baffle) (http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZOB.html) (USD3,495)
• Tri-art Audio Bam Bam 4 Open and Bam Bam 5 Open (http://www.triartaudio.com/?page_id=536) (scroll down) (CAN4,080 to CAN5,529)
• Pure Audio Project (http://www.pureaudioproject.com) (USD2,999 to USD25k)
• Soundfield Audio Dipole1 (http://www.soundfieldaudio.net/dipole1.html) (USD12k)
• Icono Audio (http://www.iconoaudio.com/home-alternate/). Couldn't find a price on the site but they are apparently "$18,500 for the system (http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-show-2015-speakers-under-20000/)" (including amps I guess)
• Whisper Audio XDS (http://legacyaudio.com/products/view/whisper-xd/) (a "down to earth" USD23.65k)
• Oswald's Mill Ironic (https://oswaldsmillaudio.com/ironic)
• Kyron Audio (http://kyronaudio.com.au/#!home_layout_1.html)(~USD100k/AUD121k for Kronos, ~USD200k/AUD249k for Gaia)
• Lotus Group Granada (http://lotusgroupusa.com/Granada.htm) (~USD125k)
• Perfect Technologies The Force (http://www.perfect8.com/force.htm) (honorable mention) Sealed woofers operating from 120Hz down (~USD250k). The smaller
  The Point (http://www.perfect8.com/point.htm) has sealed woofers operating from 150 Hz down (per specs).

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: drewm on 6 Apr 2017, 07:57 am

https://www.emeraldphysics.com/

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: jostber on 6 Apr 2017, 01:24 pm

Tri-Art Audio Bam speakers:

http://www.triartaudio.com/?page_id=536

Decware Zen and Cantuck speakers:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZOB.html
http://www.decware.com/newsite/Caintuck.html

Tekton Sigma:

http://www.tektondesign.com/obsig.html

Caintuck Audio:

http://www.caintuckaudio.com/

Manzanita Audio:

http://manzanitaaudiosolutions.com/

OMA Ironic:

https://oswaldsmillaudio.com/ironic

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: JohnR on 6 Apr 2017, 02:50 pm

Thanks jostber, great list!

I don't think the last one is OB?

I'm somewhat undecided about the Tekton Sigma, and suppose I might have to make some criteria to define "open baffle."

Anyway, well out of time for today, tomorrow is another day!

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: jostber on 6 Apr 2017, 03:36 pm

Quote from: JohnR on  6 Apr 2017, 02:50 pm

Thanks jostber, great list!

I don't think the last one is OB?

I'm somewhat undecided about the Tekton Sigma, and suppose I might have to make some criteria to define "open baffle."

Anyway, well out of time for today, tomorrow is another day!

Thanks. :) You might be right on the OMA Monarch not being a pure OB, so I replace it with the OMA Ironic speakers instead which the vendor calls an OB.

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: Davey on 6 Apr 2017, 03:40 pm

Well, there are some obvious ones not yet mentioned.
Here's the best example:

http://www.magnepan.com/

Dave.

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: JohnR on 6 Apr 2017, 03:49 pm

OK, I'm going to specifically exclude planar speakers from the list, apart from anything else there's already a circle specifically for that here: Planar Circle (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=177.0)

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: Don_S on 7 Apr 2017, 08:06 pm

Quote from: JohnR on  6 Apr 2017, 03:49 pm

OK, I'm going to specifically exclude planar speakers from the list, apart from anything else there's already a circle specifically for that here: Planar Circle (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=177.0)

John,  We also need clarification on partial OBs like Nola and http://www.pearlevo.com/it/victor-ballerina/

And http://www.perfect8.com/  With the midrange drivers (unsure of their range) and tweeters being OB and the subs using dual-opposed drivers in a glass box.

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: Don_S on 7 Apr 2017, 08:34 pm

Here is one that surely qualifies.  Despite the apparent box around some drivers, the back is only covered by a grill cloth.  Portland, Oregon.

http://www.iconoaudio.com/home-alternate/

http://www.iconoaudio.com/how-it-works/

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: JohnR on 8 Apr 2017, 02:28 pm

Quote from: Don_S on  7 Apr 2017, 08:06 pm

John,  We also need clarification on partial OBs like Nola and http://www.pearlevo.com/it/victor-ballerina/

Hi Don, I think that's a good idea, at least for the purpose of the resource list. Will have a crack at it and then get back to updating the OP in this thread  :thumb:

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: JohnR on 12 Apr 2017, 01:41 pm

Quote from: Don_S on  7 Apr 2017, 08:06 pm

John,  We also need clarification on partial OBs like Nola and http://www.pearlevo.com/it/victor-ballerina/

It looks like the midrange driver is closed at the back. No OB at all.

(http://lnx.pearlevo.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/drivers1.jpg)

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: JohnR on 12 Apr 2017, 02:03 pm

List updated. I decided to not list hybrids, too much work/time for no benefit (IMO).

Thanks for the suggestions, please keep them coming :thumb:

Title: Re: Open Baffle Resources: Off-the-shelf open baffle speakers
Post by: poseidonsvoice on 12 Apr 2017, 02:10 pm

Quote from: Don_S on  7 Apr 2017, 08:34 pm

Here is one that surely qualifies.  Despite the apparent box around some drivers, the back is only covered by a grill cloth.  Portland, Oregon.

http://www.iconoaudio.com/home-alternate/

http://www.iconoaudio.com/how-it-works/

Don,

Thanks for that link.

Best,
Anand.