The ideal
transducer would be a "reversed microphone"… in
other words; you use for reproduction a small point-source full-range
transducer that mimics the characteristics of the microphone used
for the recording.
However such
an ideal transducer is simply unattainable. Even considering hypothetical
perfect frequency extension, the unit would need to be at the
same time very small; for ideal high frequency dispersion, and
have significant radiating area; for credible low frequency reproduction
.
Furthermore,
work with many of the full-range loudspeakers available in a typical
size of 5"- 8", we also have to suffer of these necessary
compromises:
- restricted
top-end dispersion.
- compromised low-frequency performance.
- compromised centre spectral performance; due to excessive
optimisation of the low and high frequency reach.
By transforming
the point-source requirement above into a line-source system,
we can use a multitude of smaller full-range units in a row to
obtain a "line array". Helping to satisfy the contradictory
requirement of small and large dimensions at the same time.
Smaller full-range units certainly tend have much more acceptable
high-frequency extension.
In professional audio, such large scale "line arrays"
are extremely popular in auditoria and concerts. In these professional
applications specific care of the radiation pattern needs to be
taken care of, for correct audience coverage. The individual "modules"
are amplitude, time and frequency steered.
In the domestic
listening conditions, to be often considered near-field, the theoretical
full-range line-source radiation pattern is not too ideal, where
the amplitude/frequency/time control of the vertical array is
absolutely necessary.
This brings us back to the Admonitor/Preference/Submonitor solution.
This A/P/S system was designed as a distributed source array,
as one possible solution for a "reverse-microphone"
application loudspeaker .
Taken in isolation,
the Admonitor/Preference is the simplest "practical"
implementation for the "reverse-microphone". The conflicting
requirements for high frequency dispersion and low frequency extension
have been resolved by using a 2 unit array with distributed higher
and lower frequency spectrums. The small dimensions and proximity
of the drivers allow for a near point-source performance, even
at very short distances (>1.5 m ) . Furthermore, the small
dimensions of the cabinets, comparable to those of the human head,
reduce listening fatigue, due to the "familiar" time/space
behaviour of diffraction.
The main points
of the Admonitor/Preference are:
- Point-source
hypo-cardioid radiation (small 20 mm tweeter with low crossover
point to a small 130 mm woofer).
- "Transfer 0" crossover technology, for stable minimum
interference radiation of the dual point-source array.
- Zellaton 3 ( Ariacell GTi ) technology for highest definition
and information retrieval.
- "DXD" ready monitoring quality.
The Submonitor
is the 3rd element of the array. This allows more accurate low
frequency extension and headroom. The Submonitor was designed
to be integrated with the Admonitor/Preference . Visual impact
has been optimised by use of the "racetrack" 165mm X
230 mm driver and auxilary radiator. Low frequency extension is
the result of the EARR " Enhanced Auxilary Radiator Reflex"
loading system. The Submonitor is seamlessly integrated in the
Admonitor/Preference by the mutational "Transfer 0"
crossover technology.
