This is a unique, compact Clayton Shaw (Emerald Physics, Spatial Audio) device to cancel ("absorb") bass peaks and defeat room resonances using realtime DSP built into an active subwoofer, w/mic, to obviate excess bass energy with noise-cancelling technology, addressing room problems actively without the headaches & disappointments of passive physical room treatments. While directly addressing problematic bass energy, the Black Hole also makes a notable improvement in midrange performance. Asking $450 plus shipping (retail $1295).
See manufacturer's description:
http://www.spatialaudio.us/black-hole/See also this thread on AudioCircle:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=103187.0Also see reviews in TAS (Steven Stone, December 2012, mentioned as part of a comprehensive Spatial Audio DSP suite); and 6Moons (Srajan Ebaen, May 2012 - although his setup went against virtually all manufacturer's instructions and, no surprise, he wasn't bowled over).
CLAYTON'S DESCRIPTION: "Our Black Hole is an active acoustic pressure-reduction device designed to improve sound quality in domestic environments as the only known means of dealing with room-induced anomalies in a compact form factor. An active acoustic pressure absorber was first mentioned by H.F. Olsen in his 1957 book 'Acoustic Engineering,' a reference text still in common use today." Clayton cites similar earlier attempts by Nelson Pass without benefit of current DSP processing power, and with different placement philosophies.
Original owner. Perfect operating condition and excellent cosmetic condition (except for two small holes in detachable front grille cloth - see picture with penny and white background to highlight the hole... less visible when grille is in place against black baffle; note that standard black double-knit cloth is easily replaced if necessary). Microphone, mini-tripod and flexible cabling for versatile mic placement; all original packing materials and documentation. Cherrywood edition - not standard black - with detachable front grille and aftermarket tempered glass top. 250-watt plate amplifier recently upgraded by Clayton. Unit is 17" x 18" x 17"; box is 23" x 23" x 24". Shipping weight 63 pounds (or local pickup in Marin County, San Francisco Bay Area).
Positioning is critical, but if you can place the unit as intended, you should get good results without having to deal with spouse-unfriendly bass absorbers. I had excellent results with this unit and am selling only because of a major revisiting of my hifi.
Thanks - happy to answer any questions.
Ken Askew
