I just finished up this pair and plan to bring them to the RMAF in a few weeks.
Shown is the left speaker. The right side is a mirror image of it.
In the center we have a pair of M-130/16 woofers in an open baffle (paralleled down to 8 ohms).
They cross steeply at 1,800Hz to a Neo 3 PDR. This hands over the upper end detail to the planar magnetic really quick. The result is an incredible level of detail and resolution that is hard to match with anything.
The woofers then use a low order crossover that crosses at 200Hz to four M-130 woofers loaded in ported enclosures. Two are above and two below. These are in a series parallel grouping keeping the speaker an 8 ohm load across the board.
The four ported M-130's will hit -3db down points in the mid 40's, but it doesn't stop there. Side loaded is a single 12" SW-12A woofer in a sealed box. With the crossover set at 40Hz on the plate amp it pulls about 6db of output off of it leaving what was the -9db down point as the new -3db down point. Now the -3db down point is 25Hz.
The extended side pieces at the bottom are made from layered MDF so it is super dense. It is also braced and lined with BH-5 as are the air spaces for the four M-130's. This thing is rock solid.
The open areas to the sides will be covered in a removable Black grill cloth and the back wall and part of the top and bottom areas around the drivers will be lined with a new damping material GR Research will be offering.
The new damping material has a damper that is twice the thickness of BH-5. Then it has a single layer of textured foam that is 1" thick. We will have it in stock next week. A 24" by 27" sheet will be only $38. a sheet so it is a bit more of a bargain compared to the $51. a sheet for BH-5.
The new damping material is called "No Rez". It will specifically handle resonance control as well as standing wave absorption.
Now you've learned of two new products in one thread.
Oh yea, the lower woofer is powered by a small plate amp mounted to the back of the box. I'll see if I can get some pricing info on the plate amps. These were prototypes used for testing.
Overall impressions of the speakers..., I am almost speechless.
Vocals just float in space deep between the speakers as if it were live. Everything is effortless as if there were no load at all on the drivers. This speaker is as good in this area as any speaker I have ever heard. In fact I can't think of any that better it. Even my Epiphany 20/21's come up far short of these speakers in this area.
Imaging is incredible and far exceeds the boundaries of the box. These have a big speaker, or life sized sound to them.
Roger Water's Amused to Death wrapped around the room from front to back like I have never heard before. These really disappear! I can easily live with this pair for a long time and miss nothing. I have had no other speakers do all the things well that these do.
Oh, and 8 ohms and 91db sensitivity make them easy to drive with anything. I am getting lots of output from a 30 watt amp.
Offering these as kits will make these the best bargain I have ever offered as the parts total comes in at just under $1,200. for the pair not counting plate amps.
The real de lima is that I have to come up with a name. I need a model number or name and a series name for this line as I have some supporting models to develop as well. I have some really good ideas in mind for a center channel, and surrounds.
My wife gave them a listen and her first impressions regarded openness and a all encompassing sound. She is already thinking of something along those lines.
Any model or series name ideas?
