"There's a new player trying to break into the high end speaker driver scene. If speaker drivers are to speakers what engines are to sports cars, then Hemp Acoustics is gunning to be the Saleen of audio. Or maybe Mercedes, providing lux engines all the way up to 700hp.
In any case, Hemp Acoustics has merged with Adire, makers of massive subwoofer drivers with obscene excursion and the much hyped XBL2 motor structure. Adire will now become an automotive-only brand while Hemp Acoustics takes over the audiophile market. While the majority of Hemp Acoustics' speakers will be made out of hemp, they'll still have a few offerings (like their Extremis 6.
made out of traditional materials.
As you can see from the picture above, HA already has a wide range of drivers. How wide? "We're going to have BETTER versions of all the hot drivers on the market." "Scan Speak Revelator? (the slit cone tennis ball driver)" "Yup, but better." "Fostex whizzers?" "Yup." "The OB king Visaton B200?" "We'll crush 'em." "Coax compression hi-eff?" "Oh yeah." "High qts, open-baffle subwoofer?" "You got it." "Coaxial beryllium cone with ion tweeter?" "Okay, you're weird."
Hemp Acoustics is also tackling lots of really unusual drivers for the DIY scene. Below is the picture of their 15" coax driver. Low excursion with high sensitivity and big power handling. And check out that machined tweeter horn and monster magnet. Wild stuff and wildly expensive at $1200.
On the next page, their $299 open baffle specific 15" driver with Qts of .68 (I believe), their XBL2 motor and low excursion surround. OB sub drivers have become all the rage these days and HA wants to be the preeminent manufacturer."
http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/vegas07-hemp-acoustics.php
