Okay, here is the deal on all of that stuff.
Mark had ideas about building on the X-Series and a few models above the X-Statik. The whole product line was beating up anything near it in price so it was a great idea to keep going with it. And the open baffle mids on the X-Statik and X-Voce did take things up a level. So it was only logical to take it a step further and go full open baffle.
At one point Mark had Santiago build out some test baffles and had them sent here. I still have them. And I'd sell them pretty cheap to. I'll send the money to Santiago with money for a bunch of this other stuff that I am moving for him.
What the design really needed was some high Qts drivers that didn't exist yet. I had some prototypes with truncated frames to test with but it just never came to be. And then AV123 closed up and promises of X-Optima and X-Otica were just never fulfilled.
Lately I have been working on some new drivers with new models in mind and primarily have had two models in my head. I usually don't let out this stuff too much until after measuring and testing. Sometimes things change a little along the way if things don't pan out so well or if a better way is realized.
So here is what I have in the works. I posted this little teaser earlier.
"New 6.5" woofers are also under development that are designed for open baffle applications. It's basically a new super woofer with the best of the best in all areas.
It uses the same polymer frame as the M-165X, and will use a paper cone. But instead of a 26mm voice coil, it has a 44mm voice coil. It also has a Copper phase plug and Copper shorting rings. It will use the XBL^ motor and a Neo magnet. I will have 8 ohm and 16 ohm versions made, and they are specifically designed for open baffle applications.
These will also be the only woofers of their kind on the market.
The first sample didn't look bad, but has a few issues to work out and improve. Don't hold your breath on this one. This kind of development work takes a little time. I am shooting for something before the end of the year.
Also in the works is a tweeter with a wave guide."
Well, I got some new data today on the new M-165XN, and the response curve is a dream. I am now pushing for them to bring the sensitivity up a little. We will see where that goes. There will be a M-165XN-8 and a M-165XN-16.
The new 8" servo subs are about to be on the water and will be here soon. I will post more data on them when I can find some time.
Okay that said, about those two new models. Both revolve around the use of a wave guide for the tweeter used in the X-Series speakers. It is that really good dome tweeter used in the Encore versions, X-Statik, and X-Voce. I think most of you already are aware of the benefits of using it in a wave guide.
Model 1 will use a wave guided tweeter and a single 8 ohm M-165XN. Below it will be three 16 ohm (in parallel) X-Series woofers (more 6.5" woofers using the same frame). The three lower woofers will be controlled with a plate amp that might be a new SA-2 model. It will be similar to the SA-1 in that it will have a built in transform circuit to mirror image the roll off of an open baffle or sealed box woofer. But instead of a rumble filter killing it a 20Hz, I am thinking of making it adjustable for 20Hz, 28Hz, 40Hz and 55Hz. This amp could then be used in a number or different open baffle applications with various woofers. This would be a very low cost kit sold with a front baffle or sold with a flat pack enclosure. This would also be great for small to mid sized rooms.
Model 2 will use a wave guided tweeter and a pair of 16 ohm M-165XN woofers in parallel. So sensitivity levels will be very good. This model will also have three of our new 8" servo subs below it. And I think we all know what servo control in an open baffle means. It will have un-matched performance and flexibility.
I then contacted Mark and asked him what he thought of my using the names X-Optima and X-Otica for these two new models, and he loved the idea. Not only are they great names, not only does it build on the X-Series kits, but it fulfills a promise that has yet to be realized.
It's coming.
Sounds like fun huh?
