More Speaker Lust

 

  Considered by some to the end-all be-all reference speaker, the Wilson X1/Grand Slamm stands six feet high and weighs in at a whopping 600 lbs. each!  This speaker uses one 1" forward firing tweeter, two 3/4" rear-firing tweeters, and two 6" midranges in the upper portion of the X1.   The rectangular lower portion holds one 12" and one 15" driver for lower frequency support.  Frequency response is claimed as an amazing 19.5 Hz to 22.5 kHz while sensitivity is a high 95 db.  Rumors abound that this speaker works amazingly well with lower wattage single-ended tube amplification.  Minimum amplifier power is claimed as 20 watts per Wilson Audio.

Wilson Audio Specialties, Inc.
2233 Mountain Vista Lane
Provo, UT 84606

Website: www.wilsonaudio.com

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  A classic!  Now presenting none other then the longstanding and very popular Klipschorn corner loving speaker.  With a high sensitivity of 104 db/w/m this speaker even those small 2-3 watt 2A3, type-50, and even type-45 tube amplifier can come out and play.  This basic design was first marketed in the 1940's and still are being sold worldwide today!  Weighing in at 167 lbs. each and using the K-77-M tweeter, K-55-M midrange, and K-33-E woofer, the Klipschorn is a fully horn-loaded three way system which is placed in the corners of your room for best results.  Frequency response is claimed as 35 Hz to 17 kHz (+-3db).   Sometimes you just have to admire a great classic!

Klipsch
P.O. Box 688
Hope, Arkansas 71801

Website: www.klipsch.com

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  This very unique design is from the folks at MBL.  Seen here is the "D" version of the 101.  This is a very unique four-way system using very unique ribbon technology that are mounted to produce a 360 degree soundfield around the speaker.  The speaker uses tweeter, midrange, woofer high, and woofer low to give a full frequency response of 20 Hz to 40 kHz.  This is all rated at 4 ohms with a sensitivity of a very low 81 db/w/m.  From personal experience i can tell you that these babies need at least a 250 wpc amplifier and benefit from 500 watts on up!  Each speaker weighs in at around 175 lbs. by the way.

mbl-Akustikgeräte GmbH
Einemstraße 20 A
D-10785 Berlin
 
Website: www.mbl-hifi.com

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  Here is the original and critically acclaimed version of the Royal Reference 3A speaker called the Master Control.  These Swiss made high sensitivity 92 db/w/m minimonitors feature a 8" carbon fibre mid/woofer that has a unique center-mounted phase plug.  Meanwhile, a very high quality 1" silk soft dome is used for the uppermost frequencies.  An extremely simple, two part 6db crossover is also employed.  The phase response is claimed as being almost constantly flat at +-5% while the frequency response is 44 Hz - 20,000 Hz.

Reference 3A
Website: www.reference3a.com

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  The VMPS Special Ribbon Edition of the Super Tower III use four woven carbon fiber 12" woofers in one tower, one 6" free swinging monopole ribbon in the other.   An outboard crossover is also supplied.  The bass can be driven with over 600 watts while the mid/tweeter panel maxs out at "only" 300 watts.  Since even the larger photo leaves the true scale of these babies to be wondered, the dimensions of these large towers are 76" x 19.5" x 17" (HxWxD) for the woofer and 75" x 4.5" for the mid/tweeter panel.  Total weight when crated, 500 lbs.   Bring a friend!

VMPS Ribbon
3429 Morningside Drive
El Sorbrante, CA 94803

WEebsite: www.vmpsaudio.com

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  The folks at Classic Audio Loudspeakers of Brighton, MI USA has been making available classic speakers for years.  Many of the designs might not even be recognized by the youngsters, but us old farts surely remember those great old-time speakers when we see them.  John and Cam Wolff with the assistance of Mark Weiss make these reproduction come to life.

Classic Audio Loudspeakers
5115 Red Fox Drive
Brighton, MI 48116

Website: www.classicaudioloudspeakers.com

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