VMPS 626R CDWG w/passive EQ crossover - 1 month report

John B · « **on:** 18 May 2006, 07:47 pm »

After a month of getting to know these speakers I'm ready to give a report.

Configuration: max everything, w/TRT caps, along with Xtreme Cables as internal hook up wire.

The most striking impression I've had of these speakers, in the configuration I have them, is the complete absence of their presence in the staging of the music. Instruments and vocals come out of a 3-D bubble of space that is as wide and deep as I've heard from any speaker in my room, be it monitor or floor stander. Instrument and vocal accuracy is as close to real life as I've obtained from electronics. If ever there was a component that could challenge my upgraditis it be this one...unless big B comes up with some other bar raising invention.

yo2tup · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 May 2006, 08:42 pm »

sounds great! i'm looking into picking up a pair for 626R's. to replace my odyssey epiphonies. got any pictures?

i didn't know the cdwg was available for the 626R's. how much do they cost? and whats acoustic equalization? thanks

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 May 2006, 09:57 pm »

JohnB refers to the constant directivity passive EQ crossover.

Our constant directivity waveguide provides 180 degree dispersion (plus/minus 90 degrees) without lobing. Off axis and on-axis response are the same. Unfortunately CD dispersion spreads the same amount of mid and treble energy that once beamed at the listener (about 5kHz on up) over a very broad angle, and the result is HF rolloff.

The new passive EQ compensates for this, and restores flat response inspite of the 180 dispersion pattern. This is remarkable, since boost cannot normally be achieved with passive means. In pro sound, where CD horns have been in use for 30 years, electronics provide the boost (called CD or horn equalization). With our passive CD EQ, no outboard electronics are required.

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 May 2006, 10:02 pm »

I should add that the passive CD EQ crossover is used in conjunction with a technique called de-horning the tweeter, which causes its output to rise at about 6 dB/octave above 8 kHz or so. The CD waveguide rolls this rise off at 6 dB/oct, resulting in flat trebles.

mikef · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 May 2006, 01:42 pm »

So, are these available yet, and what's the cost for upgrading my 626s? Are the CDWG and passive eq user installable?

Thanks

Mike

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 May 2006, 03:53 pm »

We're currently making CDWG's for new orders only, given the amount of sheer agony involved. We don't have a CNC. The CD EQ crossover will be user retrofittable (is that a word?) if you don't mind a little gluing and soldering.

John B · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 May 2006, 05:49 pm »

Quote

JohnB refers to the constant directivity passive EQ crossover.

Our constant directivity waveguide provides 180 degree dispersion (plus/minus 90 degrees) without lobing. Off axis and on-axis response are the same. Unfortunately CD dispersion spreads the same amount of mid and treble energy that once beamed at the listener (about 5kHz on up) over a very broad angle, and the result is HF rolloff.

The new passive EQ compensates for this, and restores flat response inspite of the 180 dispersion pattern. This is remarkable, since boost cannot normally be achieved with passive means. In pro sound, where CD horns have been in use for 30 years, electronics provide the boost (called CD or horn equalization). With our passive CD EQ, no outboard electronics are required.

I fixed the Topic title

Thanks for the clarification Brian. What this new passive EQ has added to the sonic presentation, from a listener point of view...is more clarity and definition to the high frequency information. Cymbals for instance have cleaner "bell bronze sound signature" for lack of a better descriptive term. The definition and tonal correctness of the impact of wood or brushes on bronze comes across with a more "real to life" tone to my ears.

I also still get a kick out of walking up to my speakers, coming from the listening position, and as the distance closes, still hearing a cohesive, fixed front sound stage; the feeling as I reach the meridian of the speakers, is that I'm now at the front of the stage looking up to the performers....it seems such a simple thing...but it's just so bleed'n COOL

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 May 2006, 06:23 pm »

Constant directivity with frequency IMHO is now a prerequisite for
lifelike music reproduction from speakers.

Although 180 degrees dispersion is not the same as the polar response of live instruments and voices (and each instrument or singer has his/her/its own radiation pattern in space), 180 degrees is much closer to what occurs with musical instruments and voice in nature than that of the standard forward-firing speaker, even one with very high order filter slopes. The live sources have a "wraparound" pattern that allows you to hear them well from behind and beside. With 180 degree horizontal speaker radiation, you can get a good sense of sounds defined in space that is quite reminiscent of live music.

mikef · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 May 2006, 10:48 pm »

Brian,

BC said:

Quote from: Brian Cheney

We're currently making CDWG's for new orders only, given the amount of sheer agony involved. We don't have a CNC. The CD EQ crossover will be user retrofittable (is that a word?) if you don't mind a little gluing and soldering.

So go ahead and get a CNC!

Let us know as soon as you have these available for in-field retro-fit. I bet you'll get a lot of orders from us 626 guys.

MIke

Se7en · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 May 2006, 07:19 pm »

I've seen some images of the RM30 and 40 with CDWG anf they look amazing!

Thanks!

-7

yo2tup · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 May 2006, 07:23 pm »

Quote from: mikef

Brian,

BC said:
Quote from: Brian Cheney
We're currently making CDWG's for new orders only, given the amount of sheer agony involved. We don't have a CNC. The CD EQ crossover will be user retrofittable (is that a word?) if you don't mind a little gluing and soldering.

So go ahead and get a CNC!

Let us know as soon as you have these available for in-field retro-fit. I bet you'll get a lot of orders from us 626 guys.

MIke

agreed!

will the cdwg ever be available for existing 626r owners?

yo2tup · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 May 2006, 02:26 am »

Quote from: yo2tup

Quote from: mikef
Brian,

BC said:
Quote from: Brian Cheney
We're currently making CDWG's for new orders only, given the amount of sheer agony involved. We don't have a CNC. The CD EQ crossover will be user retrofittable (is that a word?) if you don't mind a little gluing and soldering.

So go ahead and get a CNC!

Let us know as soon as you have these available for in-field retro-fit. I bet you'll get a lot of orders from us 626 guys.

MIke

agreed!

will the cdwg ever be available for existing 626r owners?

Brian,

Can you answer this?

Thanks

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 May 2006, 02:30 am »

Could be 2 weeks, could be 4 months. I am currently enjoying the unique ambivalance and misinformation supply available from domestic cabinet shops. I won't stop trying until every 626 has a CDWG whether it wants one or not!!

J Harris · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Jul 2006, 10:18 pm »

Hi Brian, any news from the 626R WG people? We 626R owners are dying out here! 6 months of unbearable waiting after the huge build-up. The more I think about it the more I think the CDWG could be the final finishing touch my system needs - if not a total transformation.

Sorry to nag

Patrick

edit: reading the posts above - if I order a brand-new pair of 626Rs (I'm considering some upgrades too because I stilll have spiral tweeters, no inside bracing, no lambswool, no elmers glue... though I do have the megawoofs) -- then do they come with the CDWGs??

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Jul 2006, 12:15 am »

Yes, we are making CDWG's for new 626R's, no problem. The smaller waveguides are a lot easier to make than those for the RM 40 which are on order from mls.

bushbison · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Jul 2006, 04:44 am »

Hello Brian, et al; I was the "starter" of the post re: the dehorning and waveguides; a question that was not answered in my post: what's up with the "passive eq"???

Like I stated in my post, I am VERY picky and do not want to give up (for some reason!!) on my RM30's, but am tiring of the constant 'tweaking"( w.g.'s on and off, eq-ing of the l-pads); if I don't get the results I crave (i.e. better mid dynamics with the waveguide + consistent neutrality), I may have to go back to Newform for the new(wer) r645v3's!!!

James Romeyn · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Jul 2006, 06:48 pm »

IMO you should simply send your ribbon tweeters to Brian, pay him to modify them, install the latest xo's, & you will not have to tweek anything anymore.

Brian Cheney · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 Jul 2006, 09:42 pm »

We will have passive CD EQ xovers for in-the-field installation in a few weeks and I will send you the parts. Just email me your shipping address.

Having the CD EQ xovers makes all the difference in the world.