Sigberg Audio Manta (12" wideband cardioid active speakers) development thread

[D!sco]

Have you considered a wall mount @sigbergaudio? It would look good floating up there, slightly downward pointing. I also wonder how the cardioid effect would react to the rear wall...

 

[sigbergaudio]

that husky upper body almost begs to be a floor-stander. you should offer a high excursion 12" sub for it to sit on

We have a high excursion dual 10" sub for it to sit on if that helps.

 

[sigbergaudio]

I've got heaps of stands. I should photograph some of the ones that may suit your speaker. Like you say, a stand can make or break the aesthetic appeal of a speaker/stand combo.

Target from the UK made a fantastic range of stands over the years. Some of Jamo's stand were lovely, as were many of the Japanese home market Yamaha, Onkyo and Sony stands.

I actually had some Target stands way back. If it's not a lot of work I'd be happy to see some classic / retro stand that may work. Either if you photograph or just find something online. No obligation of course but would certainly be appreciated.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Have you considered a wall mount @sigbergaudio? It would look good floating up there, slightly downward pointing. I also wonder how the cardioid effect would react to the rear wall...

No plans for that in the immediate future. They're so big that I'm not sure I can picture them on a wall in a domestic setting at least, but perhaps in a studio.

 

[sigbergaudio]

We showcased the prototype at a Norwegian hifishow this weekend, here's a few pics

 

[ryanosaur]

We showcased the prototype at a Norwegian hifishow this weekend, here's a few pics

How were they received?

 

[sigbergaudio]

How were they received?

Very well! I guess the sense of space (width / depth) as well as the pinpoint imaging was what was commented on the most. Also the versatility with regards to handling different genres. Several also commented on dynamic capacity and the effortless delivery, not suprisingly given the capacity. The room wasn't great, so we had somewhat uneven bass below 100hz despite having two subs and DSP, but all in all very happy!

 

[Ivaols]

I listened to the prototype at the Norwegian hifishow. It's true that the sense of space, pinpoint imaging and ability to play a variety of music are strengths with these speakers. Ability to play loud with lot's of headroom are other attributes I appreciate. They are neutral in the sense that no notes sticks out and steel the attention and at the same time I experienced them as musical (not boring).

 

[sigbergaudio]

Thanks for sharing @Ivaols, I appreciate the feedback and I'm happy that you liked them!

 

[Draki]

We showcased the prototype at a Norwegian hifishow this weekend, here's a few pics

Is that Anti-Mode X4?

 

[sigbergaudio]

Is that Anti-Mode X4?

It is indeed. And the new Antimode X2 on top of it.

 

[sigbergaudio]

I gave a short interview to a Norwegian hifi magazine at the hifi show which has been uploaded now. It's in Norwegian, but it features some close-up video of the Manta which may be interesting. It starts at around 4:50 in this video:

 

[sigbergaudio]

New renderings for a new revision of the stand based on feedback on various forums as well as the hifi show this weekend, where most people preferred the current retro stand. This new one is conceptually similar, but has the loudspeaker resting on a plate made of 5mm steel. This gives an illusion of the speaker resting on thin air, and with no visible edge below/around the speaker, while the rest of the stand retains that retro JBLish look.

 

[sigbergaudio]

The next revision of the cabinet is delayed further, I'm probably lucky if it arrives before xmas.. So until then I'll nudge the response of this further. Based on the sound at the recent hifi show I concluded that we may need a sliiight increase in the top end, especially given the fact that the listener is off-axis. Smoothed out the response between 1-2khz a bit as well when I was at it.

New (blue) and old response at 15 degrees off-axis (showing from 400hz with 1/12 smoothing as the measurement is done indoors):

New 15deg by itself:

 

[Thomas_A]

The next revision of the cabinet is delayed further, I'm probably lucky if it arrives before xmas.. So until then I'll nudge the response of this further. Based on the sound at the recent hifi show I concluded that we may need a sliiight increase in the top end, especially given the fact that the listener is off-axis. Smoothed out the response between 1-2khz a bit as well when I was at it.

New (blue) and old response at 15 degrees off-axis (showing from 400hz with 1/12 smoothing as the measurement is done indoors):

New 15deg by itself:

Looks good! Personally, I would boost the 1-2 kHz by 1.5 dB.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Looks good! Personally, I would boost the 1-2 kHz by 1.5 dB.

Thanks! We tune our speakers however slightly recessed in the 1-4khz area to make it sound better all round across a wide area of genres, and reduce the risk of songs sounding fatiguing or harsh. The Manta is overall pretty flat, the SBS is slightly more recessed actually.

That being said, the beauty of active, DSP enabled speakers like these is that as a consumer you have direct access to an advanced 9 band EQ (both PEQ and shelf filters), so you are free to adjust to your taste.

 

[Thomas_A]

Thanks! We tune our speakers however slightly recessed in the 1-4khz area to make it sound better all round across a wide area of genres, and reduce the risk of songs sounding fatiguing or harsh. The Manta is overall pretty flat, the SBS is slightly more recessed actually.

That being said, the beauty of active, DSP enabled speakers like these is that as a consumer you have direct access to an advanced 9 band EQ (both PEQ and shelf filters), so you are free to adjust to your taste.

I agree for a slight dip in the 2.5-4 kHz region; but also a slightly higher relative energy 1-2 kHz vs 2-4 kHz. In often can hear that many speakers in stereo setups have a bit too low energy in 1-2 kHz vs 2-4 kHz. This can sound a bit hard and edgy on female voices and tenors.

 

[sigbergaudio]

I agree for a slight dip in the 2.5-4 kHz region; but also a slightly higher relative energy 1-2 kHz vs 2-4 kHz. In often can hear that many speakers in stereo setups have a bit too low energy in 1-2 kHz vs 2-4 kHz. This can sound a bit hard and edgy on female voices and tenors.

Right. The speaker has a slight build-up of energy around 1500-2000hz off axis as opposed to 2-4khz, so combining the off-axis response / taking reflected energy into account it's pretty balanced. But I will certainly review this the next time I visit the Klippel facility at Seas to make sure it's all accurate. From a listening perspective there's no experience of hard/edgy vocals as it is tuned now.

 

[sigbergaudio]

I agree for a slight dip in the 2.5-4 kHz region; but also a slightly higher relative energy 1-2 kHz vs 2-4 kHz. In often can hear that many speakers in stereo setups have a bit too low energy in 1-2 kHz vs 2-4 kHz. This can sound a bit hard and edgy on female voices and tenors.

Better perhaps? (blue) - will give it a listen for a couple of weeks but sounds promising (still 15deg off axis, which is typical listening axis)

 

[Thomas_A]

Better perhaps? (blue) - will give it a listen for a couple of weeks but sounds promising (still 15deg off axis, which is typical listening axis)

Yes that looks really fine!