New Sigberg Audio development thread: The Sentinel - A music oriented reference subwoofer developed for the Manta system.

[SigbergAudio]

In celebration of reaching the 122dB@40hz design goal and as such proving the concept, I've written a developer diary article on our website. It summarizes the background of why I'm doing this, the current status of the product and expected timeline.

MANTA SENTINEL Developer Diary

We're currently developing a flagship version of the Manta system, featuring two dual 15

www.sigbergaudio.com

 

[JohnnyNG]

In celebration of reaching the 122dB@40hz design goal and as such proving the concept, I've written a developer diary article on our website. It summarizes the background of why I'm doing this, the current status of the product and expected timeline.

MANTA SENTINEL Developer Diary

We're currently developing a flagship version of the Manta system, featuring two dual 15

www.sigbergaudio.com

Well done. And way to go Haaland! Hate him with City, love him with Norway.

 

[SigbergAudio]

Well done. And way to go Haaland! Hate him with City, love him with Norway.

Thanks! Yes, good start, but the two more difficult teams in the group remain.

 

[ryanosaur]

Very cool, Thorbjørn! Congratulations on hitting your goal.

 

[SigbergAudio]

Very cool, Thorbjørn! Congratulations on hitting your goal.

Thank you! And thank you for still following the journey!

 

[ryanosaur]

Thank you! And thank you for still following the journey!

Wouldn’t stop following. I like what you are doing. ‘Said it before, and I’ll say it again: of all the stuff I’ve seen hitting the market, your gear is the most intriguing to me. So much so that your goals inspired my own project, so there’s that.

 

[David_M]

Maybe a silly question ... but does using dual drivers contribute to the overall SPL output or simply provide an opposite phased signal to nullify vibrations? I guess I'm asking if it provides a more SPL than a single driver sub (Assuming cabinet vibration is not an issue).

Do dual drivers help reduce even harmonic distortions, similar to balanced amplifiers?

 

[jhaider]

Maybe they will.

Would be nice. Roland seemed to think it was unlikely when I mentioned the idea to him at Axpona 2025. An 1120 with 4 line level outputs instead of the amps would be fantastic.

 

[Audionaut]

Maybe a silly question ... but does using dual drivers contribute to the overall SPL output

Yes, of course. Double the diaphragm area and double the displacement volume. When the drivers are mounted on opposite sides, cabinet vibrations are also reduced.

 

[Audionaut]

What are the advantages of this amplifier, and what are the disadvantages of continuing to use the Hypex? More adjustment options?

P.S.
After you named your speakers after your grandmothers and your uncle's car, I was actually expecting something like a name inspired by your grandfather's boat or pipe.
Sentinel is just... normal

 

[Audionaut]

Yes, good start, but the two more difficult teams in the group remain.

Are you following the World Cup? I enjoy watching Norway play and wish the team the best of luck, because they haven't won much so far.
It's hard to say whether the German team will go far. Unfortunately, since 2014, they haven't had any standout players and have only put in mediocre performances. We'll see.

 

[SigbergAudio]

Maybe a silly question ... but does using dual drivers contribute to the overall SPL output or simply provide an opposite phased signal to nullify vibrations? I guess I'm asking if it provides a more SPL than a single driver sub (Assuming cabinet vibration is not an issue).

Do dual drivers help reduce even harmonic distortions, similar to balanced amplifiers?

Yes, so doubling the amount of drivers will itself increase the level by 3dB. If you also double the available power, that will add another 3dB. So 1000W into two drivers, gives a ~6dB increase from 500W into one driver.

The signal is not opposite phase, the drivers move outwards at the same time.

Dual opposed drivers reduce vibration in the cabinet, and as such will reduce some harmonic distortion.

It does not reduce harmonic distortion from driver assymmetry in the way that a push pull configuration (one driver mounted inside out) to some extent would do.

The Sentinel isn't a push pull configuration, but to briefly explain that approach, which you see from M&K subs: They have one driver installed "the wrong way" with the motor hanging out of the cabinet. What happens then is that when one driver is moving outwards, the other is moving inwards, but they're still moving the "same" way since one driver is reversed. And no driver is completely symmetrical with regards to harmonic distortion when moving out vs in, so this approach give a slight reduction in even order harmonics. So this is sort of more effective the worse the driver is.

 

[SigbergAudio]

What are the advantages of this amplifier, and what are the disadvantages of continuing to use the Hypex? More adjustment options?

View attachment 539616

There are two main reasons for changing:
More configuration options for the customer / end user
A multiband limiter for me.

In contrast to the Hypex plate amps it also has a sealed plate, so the amp doesn't need a separate chamber in the cabinet. So that reduces cabinet complexity slightly as well.

P.S.
After you named your speakers after your grandmothers and your uncle's car, I was actually expecting something like a name inspired by your grandfather's boat or pipe.
Sentinel is just... normal

Haha, indeed. I'm just trying to keep you guys on your toes. Also, none of the other two subs have those types of names either. But maybe I should try to keep doing that for future products.

 

[SigbergAudio]

Are you following the World Cup? I enjoy watching Norway play and wish the team the best of luck, because they haven't won much so far.
It's hard to say whether the German team will go far. Unfortunately, since 2014, they haven't had any standout players and have only put in mediocre performances. We'll see.

I am! As you say Norway rarely qualify, so we have a bit of football fever here in Norway. I wish it wasn't in the USA so that most of the matches are in the middle of the night, but it is what it is!

I saw the Germany vs Curaçao match, but hard to judge their form from that performance given the Curaçao team obviously not being great (understandably so as a tiny nation). But I wish you guys the best of luck as well!

 

[David_M]

Yes, so doubling the amount of drivers will itself increase the level by 3dB. If you also double the available power, that will add another 3dB. So 1000W into two drivers, gives a ~6dB increase from 500W into one driver.

The signal is not opposite phase, the drivers move outwards at the same time.

Dual opposed drivers reduce vibration in the cabinet, and as such will reduce some harmonic distortion.

It does not reduce harmonic distortion from driver assymmetry in the way that a push pull configuration (one driver mounted inside out) to some extent would do.

The Sentinel isn't a push pull configuration, but to briefly explain that approach, which you see from M&K subs: They have one driver installed "the wrong way" with the motor hanging out of the cabinet. What happens then is that when one driver is moving outwards, the other is moving inwards, but they're still moving the "same" way since one driver is reversed. And no driver is completely symmetrical with regards to harmonic distortion when moving out vs in, so this approach give a slight reduction in even order harmonics. So this is sort of more effective the worse the driver is.

Thank you for this great explanation!

 

[JohnnyNG]

I wish it wasn't in the USA so that most of the matches are in the middle of the night, but it is what it is!

I'm about 20 minutes from MetLife Stadium (aka New York New Jersey Stadium) where the final will be played but my ticket prospects don't look good!

 

[egellings]

Just viewed the site for the Ascendo 100" diameter woofer driver. Whew! If I had that and an audio buddy bragged up his 12" subwoofer to me, I'd do a Crocodile Dundee number on him and say, "That's not a subwoofer. THIS is a subwoofer.

 

[egellings]

I think that Bruce Thigpen's TRW-17 rotary woofer, properly installed, wound trounce the Ascendo, monstrous as it is. That little fan could just about knock the house down.

 

[SigbergAudio]

I haven't shared the rear of the driver I think (for those geeky enough to be interested).

Next update will be the final dimensions of the cabinet, due to land next week.

 

[SigbergAudio]

Hi Thorbjørn

Hello.