Wireless Invisible Acrylic Planer Speaker

[TitaniumTroy]

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/c ... ss-speaker

Freaky but I like it, of course I am planer biased also.
How it works:
SB: Our patented Edge Motion technology employs a mechanical principle that is completely different from other flat-panel or cone transducers. Instead of pushing a speaker cone from behind with a magnet, Edge Motion speakers consist of a slightly curved, flexible membrane [acrylic glass] that is actuated near its edge by piezo-electric actuators that bend the membrane inwards and outwards to radiate sound; they have an extremely fast response that contributes outstanding clarity. The membrane is a dipole speaker that generates sound from both the front and rear, resulting in a room-filling, panoramic audio experience. Moreover, the curvature of the membrane and the transducer principle contribute an outstanding off-axis acoustic characteristic.

 

[Towen7]

Wait ... Dipoles for main speakers? I need help on how essentially having two sound sources pointed in opposite directions is a good thing from an accuracy perspective.

 

[TitaniumTroy]

Maybe they are going for the Room Filling Sound, ala Bose's Direct Reflecting technology.

 

[Deleted member 133]

Wait ... Dipoles for main speakers? I need help on how essentially having two sound sources pointed in opposite directions is a good thing from an accuracy perspective.

Definitive Technologies was built on dipoles! Entirely do-able - and great sound (if you like that very diffuse type of sound). (At this point MattB steps in to explain how he has Def Techs but chooses to not listen to me when it comes to re-arranging his listening room so that he actually uses the technology properly - but I digress...)

Troy,

I don't think that Bose is a good comparison. Their Direct/Reflecting speakers are NOT dipoles. Two different beasts - although fairly similar sounding results IMO. (Having owned 301s, 501s, 601s, and 901s.)

Jeff

 

[TitaniumTroy]

Right you are Jeff my bad, my Magnepan's are true dipoles however. I diffuse the back wave of my speaker with wooden QRD's this creates an open, ambient effect, no cabinet coloration of sound, also they have a fast transient speed due to being driven over a large surface area. However bass and mid bass impact suffer, as does ultimate loudness. The True Ribbon Tweeter has 180 degree dispersion, is a line source, and helps alleviate the diffuse nature of the planer sound, and is considered by many to one of the best tweeters out there.
.

 

[Flint]

The Linkwitz speaker was a dipole and he wrote very detailed engineering papers on why Dipoles are better in a home environment than monopoles like most of us use. He is extremely convincing and in the right setup I tend to agree with him. The problem, for me at least, is getting the ideal setup isn't easy most of the time.

 

[MatthewB]

Jeff I would love to rearrange my room but because of the shape of my great room and the furniture in there it really isn't a workable situation. Trust me if I had the money I would convert my garage into a fantastic home theater room and place those Deftechs so they can use their bipolar effect to its maximum. In the meantime it works and I don't have to trip over my couch when walking thru the house in the dead of night.

 

[Flint]

I really want to hear one of these. I could see putting one in my front room or dining room if they sound half-way decent. We like low volume music when we entertain or sit around chatting, and something like this would be perfect for that application if it sounds decent.

 

[saldog]

Looking at their design, they're missing an opportunity for ceiling mounted speakers for Dolby Atmos for home theater applications. Since they've announced Atmos coming to Onkyo receivers, etc, i've been thinking about the easiest way for people to retrofit/upgrade their existing home theaters. If you already have a plug on the ceiling for a projector, a pair of low-profile wireless speakers would be ideal.

 

[lakedmb]

Excellent idea Saldog! The clear speaker would be an excellent choice to put on the ceiling as they would not be a distraction for anyone.