Full Range Back End Loaded Speakers

Over the years I have come to realize that in audio, less is more. Taking this to the logical conclusion low powered amps and full range drivers with no crossovers seemed to make sense to me. This led me to a search for the perfect design. I researched various types and decided to give a back end loaded horn a try. This is a transmission line speaker which has been tuned for bass frequencies coming off the back of the driver. The cabinet has been designed specifically for this driver. As you can see from the picture, the sound must pass through a series of ever enlarging passages which mimic the shape of the bell of a Trumpet. This results in a slight time delay since it takes a bit longer for the sound coming off the back of the speaker to make its way out of the bell. The delay mimics the real life acoustics of sound bouncing off walls and reaching your ears. The bass is strong and tight. You will never need a sub with this speaker. I have heard it rumble the floor while watching movies with low frequency effects. The back is also formed into a rear firing sound source, adding still more realism.

Construction details include 1" thick Baltic Birch imported from Russia. Although it took quite a while, and a lot of money, this wood was worth it. Unlike common plywood, each layer has any defects removed and a plug put in its place. This results in no voids in any layers. The stuff weighs a ton. Baltic Birch is the most dense wood available. Speaker weight is over 175 pounds. All internal panels are braced and set at a 1% tolerance to insure proper dimensions for the horn. No screws are used, only glue. The lack of cabinet resonance is very obvious. Many different final finishes can be chosen. (Raw speaker is shown) The sound is tight and the sound stage gigantic as only a single driver system can provide. Bass is awesome since the horn is tuned for low frequencies. AT 98 db efficiency, any amp under 50 watts can be used. This gives the user a real choice of lower powered tube amps which can be employed. As I have stated before, I love the classic tube amp designs which tend to be of lower output and higher quality.

The driver has neodymium magnets for superior control. A cast Aluminum basket gives tighter bass. The cone is made of Sugar Cane pulp giving it its Tan color. The basket has been grounded for superior bass control and a better sound stage. The ground wire hooks up on the back binding plate using a separate hook up. Since this is a full range speaker, a crossover is not necessary. This results in detail that NO crossover speaker can match. Remember, the more circuits a signal passes through, the more details you will lose. No design aspects have been overlooked.

After initial gluing and drying the cabinets are flush cut with a router. Next comes a through sanding with many different grits of sand paper. All internal wood areas have been sealed with the same oils as the exterior. This is to prevent uneven swelling of the wood which guarantees sound quality now and well into the future.

This speaker is like no other you have ever heard. The reason more companies do not offer a back end loaded horn is the difficulty in producing such an intricate design. Look inside and you will see hours of work gluing and measuring dimensions to insure that the unit functions as intended. The bell must be constructed to the perfect shape, increasing in size so as to produce the desired frequencies. The weight  is another reason that you do not see them very often. Shipping must be done by freight companies. As Audiophiles, we all understand that the best sound sometimes takes a little more effort than a casual listener might  expect. When non audiophiles hear these speakers they are amazed at how real they sound. When seasoned audiophiles listen, many have said this is the best they have heard. I think the thing that makes this speaker so special is the way it portrays rhythm and percussion. Since these sounds are tunneled through the bell of the speaker, a kick drum sounds live, string bass has the rich woody tone it deserves, and piano sounds like a concert grand Bosendorfer at it's richest.

I am offering these masterpiece's at the price of $5999.  It takes a month of work to construct, sand, stain, and seal a pair. Considering the quality of sound and the cost of materials, I feel like this is a real bargain. It will compete with speakers costing many times the price I am asking. If you are going to be in the Dallas, Tx. area, I would be glad to give you an audition. Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Click on image for larger view.

$5999

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