Some interesting driver tech

[dsrviola]

http://www.ultraaudio.com/features/20090901.htm

What's really scary is at the very bottom. Doesn't make me feel quite so bad about the black hole my money's disappeared into because of my various Accutons.

I've heard a pair of Quatros. They sounded nothing like the ubiquitous 2C manifestations.

[JonMarsh]

Interesting- looks like some rather interesting driver technology- certainly taking things to the next level as far as supporting their first order concepts. I worked on first order transient perfect designs in the 70's, had one with a friend that would reproduce 1 kHz pulse waveforms nicely on axis. But first order networks have other issues that are tough to deal with, including off axis lobing. After hearing a top of the line Snell model against our project, and doing a lot of A/B comparisons with many kinds of program, I sort of decided that 1st order wasn't the end all/be all, though my friend still wanted to pursue that.

Very interesting drivers, though, SH cones and basket design! As much as it costs them to make the drivers, I'm almost surprised the system price is as low as it is- $45K. Like JBL, he's using biased capacitors. I think the way around that is to use a capacitor that doesn't need a electrostatic pre-bias to damp resonances at low signal levels. Of course, it may be cheaper the way he's doing it.

Now just imagine what we could do with those drivers with a Duelund style crossover in an Ardent box... OK, so I'm a little one track. :W

[dsrviola]

I find it interesting that some people are in one camp (first order is the only way to go) or the other. One well known speaker designer poo poos 1st order xovers: off axis responsive (lobing) and blurring because the drivers overlap so much. He describes them as being unclear and muddy sounding. Makes me wonder if he's ever heard a pair of Thiels, Dunlavys, Vandersteens (the latest models), or Green Mountain Audios.

I don't care what the ingredients are in the dish. I just want it to taste good. :T

[TacoD]

I'm somewhat disappointed that they want to patent common knowledge. The material is used for years in aerospace, but also for the volvo ocean race yachts they used end-grain balsa as a core material. But nevertheless very cool driver technology.