Concept Loudspeaker makes UK Debut
A concept loudspeaker that has been three years in the making is to be demonstrated for the first time in the UK at an audio and electro-acoustics conference in Brighton.
Research engineers from loudspeaker manufacturer KEF will explain the acoustic design of the Concept Blade, a one-off speaker unavailable for sale, at the Reproduced Sound conference, November 19-20.
The conference, themed “The Audio Explosion”, will also feature a presentation from Martin Audio, comparing conventional loudspeaker technology with that of a small line array.
The Concept Blade is unique in that it showcases a combination of KEF’s latest technology in loudspeaker design - from its titanium dome tweeter to its composite cabinet - following extensive acoustic research in the UK.
Head of Group Research for KEF and Celestion, Mark Dodd, said the team behind the one-off speaker were all music lovers.
Put simply, their aim was to create a speaker that didn’t distort or add its own character to music, enabling listeners to hear it in an unadulterated form and experience the “emotional impact” intended by artists.
In brief, the cabinet is made of resin impregnated woven carbon fibre over a balsa wood core, to create a light yet extremely rigid structure. This composite is also used in aircraft, some ultra-high performance cars, and even professional surfboards. Thus the cabinet doesn’t suffer acoustic resonance, and the sound radiates from the drivers, rather than other parts of the speaker.
The force produced by the bass drivers is so strong that the rear magnet assemblies have to be bonded to each other to prevent vibration.
The Tweeter dome is made from extremely thin titanium, as it has very low density and remains rigid while music is played.
KEF’s research engineers will explain the loudspeaker system on Thursday, November 19 at the Institute Of Acoustics’ annual Reproduced Sound conference, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
On Friday November 20, Martin Audio, founded in 1971 to manufacture and supply world class touring systems for supergroups of the day, will compare conventional loudspeaker technology with that of a small line array.
Jason Baird, research and development director of Martin Audio, said the theme of the presentation would be to look at how the increase in directivity control, afforded by a line array, could reap benefits in typical acoustic spaces.
Also, a conventional loudspeaker and omnidirectional sub will be compared with a small line array with a directional subwoofer.
Please visit The Audio Explosion website or here for additional information.
