Sigberg Audio Saranna (fullrange, cardioid active floorstander) development thread

[sigbergaudio]

Maybe you already have, but could you explain why the speaker is tilted backwards? What's the effect on vertical directivity? (Reminds me of Audio physic speakers btw)

The effect is not huge, since the difference between on-axis and 5 degrees (either vertical or horizontal) is not very big. But most coaxes have some diffraction issues directly on-axis, so this combined with designing it for listening somewhat off-axis (moderate toe-in) will give a more tidy response on the reference/listening axis.

A second effect is that the tonality will be more even between sitting and standing. With a tilt like this, the deviation from the reference/listening axis is less severe when you are standing compared to a speaker without tilt.

 

[napfkuchen]

Thanks, very interesting.

 

[sigbergaudio]

We've now been through a design discussion with the cabinet manufacturer, and a high quality finish pre production pair has been ordered. It is estimated to be delivered in February. During this process there have been some adjustments to dimensions.

Height: The core cabinet is 110cm tall. Below that there will be a base, and also feet. Neither the base nor the feet is 100% stabilized with regards to design, but I suspect they will add ~5cm, so we're looking at a total height in the vicinity of 115 cm.

Width: We had to increase the width a bit simply to make everything fit physically, so the core baffle is now 26 cm wide. In addition to that there will be veneered panels on each side, probably 12 mm. In that case, we're looking at total width of 28.4 cm.

Depth: Unchanged at 34 cm.

 

[sigbergaudio]

A couple of additional basic renderings while we wait for the real thing. They look very different from the front as opposed to the back. The front is elegant and understated, while the back is all business.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Average of left/right in a normal living room, around 40m^2.
1/12 smoothing.
No EQ above 100hz.

20-200hz, could have been EQed flatter.

 

[sigbergaudio]

This might be a bit interesting. I've removed below 200hz as that will necessarily vary quite a bit, and I've smoothed to 1/6th to easier see the overall trend and tonality. This is Saranna prototypes (averaged left+right for both measurements) in two completely different rooms.

Room 1 (green):
Around 40m^2 opening up to the left to another space, total maybe 60m^2. No real wall for several meters on either side. Decay around 400-450ms. 2.4m below ceiling.

Room 2 (red)
Around 18-20m^2, walls on both sides. Decay around 200-250ms. 2.1m below ceiling.

I'd say it's remarkably similar in overall response and tonality. It's also easy to recognize the sound signature and presentation of the speakers in both rooms. I've had traditional speakers in those two rooms as well in the past. They do to a much higher degree sound like two completely different speakers in these two rooms due to the room interaction.

Here is 20-500hz as well (1/12th), good extension in both rooms: