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:

 

[sigbergaudio]

Testing some Sci-Fi ("Secret level" series from Prime). It truly feels full range and very impactful.

I've used the ideas, experience and competence gained from our subwoofers to enable that experience - so that the Saranna becomes an interesting proposition for those who want that without having separate subwoofers.

 

[Colonel7]

Always appreciate your thoughtful design threads backed by impressive performance. Since the Saranna is full range and not targeted to studios, have you considered having a colored compression driver or non-silver? I don’t know if that’s even possible but it may appeal more to folks shopping for more furniture type look or may be into 2-channel listening. I’m not your customer and not in your price range so these are just thoughts and not criticism or recommendations.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Always appreciate your thoughtful design threads backed by impressive performance. Since the Saranna is full range and not targeted to studios, have you considered having a colored compression driver or non-silver? I don’t know if that’s even possible but it may appeal more to folks shopping for more furniture type look or may be into 2-channel listening. I’m not your customer and not in your price range so these are just thoughts and not criticism or recommendations.

Thank you, I am glad you enjoy them!

The driver will be customized for the production version, so that could have been an option, and yes it has been considered. In the end I opted to keep the original silver/metal look. The driver would have gone from an eye catching feature defining the design to pretty anonymous if the horn was a black/dark color. The speakers will come with a traditional grille, so they can be made to look discreet that way if need be.

 

[Salt]

For me it is no eyecatcher but annoyingly, same as KEF stuff.
Let's say according to a British rule for children: a speaker should be heard, not seen

 

[Esprit]

to pretty anonymous if the horn was a black/dark color

For those like me who also use speakers to watch movies, "matte black" is better.
The speaker must not only "disappear" when listening to music but also optically and must not reflect the light of the images.

 

[sigbergaudio]

For me it is no eyecatcher but annoyingly, same as KEF stuff.
Let's say according to a British rule for children: a speaker should be heard, not seen

It is for sure a feature that will be something you either strongly dislike, or strongly like. Better than "Meh."

If you want the speaker to be anonymous, leave the grilles on, and they will not make a visual fuss at all.

For those like me who also use speakers to watch movies, "matte black" is better.
The speaker must not only "disappear" when listening to music but also optically and must not reflect the light of the images.

I use them for movies and TV series all the time in a dark room, I do not find it distracting at all. Given the angles of the horn they will typically not reflect anything from a TV screen that is between the speakers. But as mentioned above, they come with grilles - which will solve the issue.

 

[Esprit]

But as mentioned above, they come with grilles - which will solve the issue.

I use a UST video projector for a 120" image.
If the grilles are "transparent" no problem (over decades I have always removed the grilles and pro monitors don't have them at all).

 

[sigbergaudio]

I use a UST video projector for a 120" image.
If the grilles are "transparent" no problem (over decades I have always removed the grilles and pro monitors don't have them at all).

They're transparent.

 

[Esprit]

Perfetto!!!

 

[sigbergaudio]

After further contemplating finishes, I think we will deviate from the pure white and pure black colors. As mentioned before the sides will be veneered, but the complementing paint choices will be bright and dark, not entirely white or entirely black. Current thinking:

 

[Esprit]

The second.

 

[sigbergaudio]

The second.

So you prefer the lighter one? Both will be available

 

[Esprit]

Personally I don't like finishes that simulate wood and I don't like walls, floors and obviously furniture with a glossy finish.
Seriously: what will the final price be?

P.S. Two of your Tidal links in the signature lead nowhere.

 

[sigbergaudio]

Personally I don't like finishes that simulate wood and I don't like walls, floors and obviously furniture with a glossy finish.
Seriously: what will the final price be?

Well it's real, multi-layered wood veneer, so it's only simulating it to an extent , and they will be very dark and very light, so they will not call the same attention to themselves as a more regular colored wood. The finish is not glossy, but satin. Will update the description to reflect (pun intended) that.

Final price: We have a world wide all included pricing (meaning the price includes import taxes, VAT, shipping worldwide as well as personal, expert advice and support). The price will be locked to NOK (Norwegian krone) which mean the price will fluctuate somewhat with the exchange rates.

Assuming the current exchange rates, we are looking at a final price to your doorstep that is north of 20,000 USD/EUR for the pair.

P.S. Two of your Tidal links in the signature lead nowhere.

Thanks, will look into it!