New member here, though long-time beneficiary of the forum, particularly DAC reviews (I have a Topping E70 and Okto DAC8 in two of my systems).
Anyway, with regard to speakers, over the last few years I’ve increasingly been drawn to the sound of crossover-less (or minimalist) designs by companies like Fern & Roby, Rethm, Voxativ, Songer, etc. I know there are many on this site who believe that such a design is fundamentally flawed, or limiting, such that it is unlikely to ever compete with a well-designed two- or three-way speaker.
The most obvious challenge to a design using a full-range driver is at the frequency extremes. But some of these companies using full-range drivers have come up with interesting approaches for addressing this challenge. Rethm, for example, essentially uses a powered subwoofer - 4 drivers in an “isobaric configuration” to fill in the low-end - but of course most of these companies do not provide detailed specifications on their speakers’ performance.
So finally to my point: At Capital AudioFest this year I heard a pair of the Audience 1+1 speakers and found them remarkable. They use two full range drivers and two passive radiators in each small box. But here’s the kicker - unlike some of the other examples I’ve heard, Audience publishes info that includes some detail regarding their frequency response. I’d be very interested in others’ views on this, as it appears as if they have accomplished a remarkably flat and extended frequency response with these little speakers:
Audience white paper
I appreciate everybody’s patience with such a long, first post!
Anyway, with regard to speakers, over the last few years I’ve increasingly been drawn to the sound of crossover-less (or minimalist) designs by companies like Fern & Roby, Rethm, Voxativ, Songer, etc. I know there are many on this site who believe that such a design is fundamentally flawed, or limiting, such that it is unlikely to ever compete with a well-designed two- or three-way speaker.
The most obvious challenge to a design using a full-range driver is at the frequency extremes. But some of these companies using full-range drivers have come up with interesting approaches for addressing this challenge. Rethm, for example, essentially uses a powered subwoofer - 4 drivers in an “isobaric configuration” to fill in the low-end - but of course most of these companies do not provide detailed specifications on their speakers’ performance.
So finally to my point: At Capital AudioFest this year I heard a pair of the Audience 1+1 speakers and found them remarkable. They use two full range drivers and two passive radiators in each small box. But here’s the kicker - unlike some of the other examples I’ve heard, Audience publishes info that includes some detail regarding their frequency response. I’d be very interested in others’ views on this, as it appears as if they have accomplished a remarkably flat and extended frequency response with these little speakers:
Audience white paper
I appreciate everybody’s patience with such a long, first post!