Survey of acoustic systems. Floor Acoustics: reviews

Floor acoustics is a system that differs in size (especially in the vertical direction) and is installed directly on the floor, without attracting any additional devices. The main distinguishing feature of such devices is a higher sensitivity in comparison with shelf analogues. However, the home audio system of the floor type will only work fully if it is provided with a powerful amplifier, otherwise you will simply receive large speakers.

Such devices can be equipped with two, three or more frequency bands, but not in all cases the number of speakers corresponds to the "cavity" index. Very often manufacturers equip their systems with two "bass players", then it is called a 2.5-band.

Let's try to designate the most distinguished models, presenting to your attention a small overview of acoustic systems from famous brands.

Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario

About this system, you can safely say: "Made by hand in Italy". Even a cursory glance at this model will be enough to say that we have very high quality and good acoustics from a well-known brand.

Above resembles a spindle, and in profile resembles a lute, this serious design is made up of twelve carefully arranged maple bars and is secured by a patented glue with a vibration-absorbing compound. Active acoustics with a cross section of this kind excludes the appearance of standing waves, plus everything, will provide the user with excellent damping of the "cabinet".

The manufacturer offers its admirers only two options for finishing - black (graphite) and wood (violet). Like the great creators of the flawless instruments of Stradivarius and Guarneri, the brand hides from the curious eyes the recipe for its varnishes, glues and subtleties of technology, resting on the fact that the home audio system, in fact, is the same means of playing music as the violin. That's why this model got its name in honor of the violin works of the master Andrea Amati from ancient Cremona.

Model specifications

"Sonus Faber" equipped with a double ring tweeter with a total diameter of 25 mm, without a ferromagnetic liquid, but with an optimizing radiation pattern element. The sound efficiency corresponds to the "open acoustic camera" scheme, that is, the design of the 150 mm midrange driver is implemented using the principles of Kellogg and Faraday.

Active acoustics is equipped with two 220 mm woofers with aluminum-magnesium diffusers plus a coil with a significantly increased stroke length. Each head is unloaded to its own port of the bass reflex and is located at the rear of the structure. All phase-amplitude characteristics are balanced, and the value of the input resistance is optimized for separation frequencies of 350 and 4000 Hz (optimal acoustics). Reviews about "Sonus Faber" are extremely positive, and they leave them as ordinary users, and music experts, so you can recommend this modern creation to everyone.

T + A KS 300

The 300th model made the flagship of the entire series. The system turned out to be quite compact and somewhere even elegant with dimensions of 95 cm (height) and 19 cm (width) - stylishly, simply and qualitatively.

This floor acoustics personifies the concept of a general approach to sound underlining and know-how in technological solutions. All the components that were involved in the design of the model are a continuation of the original T + A series and, at the same time, unique developments of the brand engineers.

The body consists of extruded aluminum, which provides the whole structure with stiffness and firmness, and thanks to the refined solutions of local designers, acoustics, speakers, and the whole appearance are full of elegance and high cost.

The side walls of the case are damped with a patented material that is capable of absorbing any sound, while suppressing vibration for the whole structure, and at the same time reducing the resonant vibrations.

Low-frequency dynamics with accuracy up to a millimeter are selected according to their parameters to the total volume of the case. Due to the reinforcement of carbon fiber diffusers, the output produces super deep and extremely accurate sounding of low frequencies even in spite of the volume level.

Series Specifications

Mid-frequency indicators easily cover the entire vocal range from 200 to 2000 Hz, turning sound into a dynamic, natural and incredibly lively perception tool. The diffuser, made using the latest GreyCone technology, has special incisions that release it from any resonances, and due to the flexible suspension, the mobile system's operation is completely under control and has a wonderful sound review. Acoustic systems of such a plan have not yet been invented, and the legendary high-frequency ring radiator from T + A can cover the frequency ranges up to 40,000 Hz and even higher without any effort. The general sound picture looks dynamic, airy and fast, without any traces of sharpness or stiffness.

A carefully designed isolation filter assumes a frequency division into three bands. It uses components of only the most excellent quality, and the characteristics are carefully optimized. The filter does not allow loss of linearity of the dynamics of the speaker and keeps the sound within the specified range. As a result, even large and super-power signals do not present any difficulties for a three-way system. KS-300 is a great model and excellent acoustics. Feedback about the system is mainly in a positive way, the only thing that users complain about is the modest color scheme, but this is, as they say, an amateur.

Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Baby Grand

This model from the famous brand "Grand" can also be called the flagship of the company. "Beethoven" is a reflection of the superiority of the entire line of "Vienna" acoustic systems, which allows you to enjoy excellent sound both on large concert stages and at home.

The model turned out to be dynamic, open and extremely musical, because the device combines two 6-inch speakers with low frequency, one with an average, and all this is completed by a "peep" with a silk diffuser.

Features of the model

The sound from the speakers turns out to be transparent and natural, and the mid and high frequencies are perfectly balanced. The entire picture is complemented by two bass reproducers, where the user is offered amazing balance and sound uniformity. "Beethoven" is really high-quality, modern and simply beautiful acoustics. Feedback about the model is entirely in a positive way, so some critical points or nuances are extremely difficult to find. Some owners complain about too sharp legs of the system, which scratch the parquet, but this is easily solved by a small rug or the principle of "put and do not touch."

Opera Seconda

Acoustics "Marshal" pleased us with the model "Opera". Just like in the previous series, the "closed box" was used as the sound design for this series. The new model received some visual updates, but the design principle did not change at all, and why change what works fine.

Good acoustics is equipped with a 2.5-band design, and mid-low-frequency speakers were developed in conjunction with Scanspeak. Diffusers are coated with high-quality aluminum with the addition of mastic to further reduce resonances. The speakers are poured into the case and have a reinforced design.

System Characteristics

The section with upper frequencies is equipped with a silk diaphragm and an innovative cooling system where a ferromagnetic liquid is used , and the operating range of the radiator has an increased value of 30 kHz. It is also worth noting that the displacement amplitude of the working diaphragm is 1 mm (twice as many competing analogs), allowing high-frequency radiators to reach a higher level.

The tweeter is practically not sensitive to any vibrations that come from other speakers of the system. All this is due to the resonance frequency (860 Hz) and because of the thick front panel (30 mm). Separating acoustic filters of the second level have excellent circuitry, which is made on two separate boards and is at a considerable distance from each other. This is done in order to reduce the unpleasant effect of mutual induction of the coils, and in addition, it allows to get rid of the microphone effect.

All elements of the design are carefully selected and tested at all stages of production, so we can say with certainty that the Opera accurately transmits a musical signal and correctly creates sound scenes (volume acoustics). Reviews about the model are entirely positive, so there is simply nothing to complain about, it can only be to the price, but this qualitative acoustic system is subject to this "ailment".

Epos M 16i

"Epos" is an outdoor 2.5-way acoustics with a phase-inverted type. The model looks equally good both as a stereo system and as a home theater. The series received an improved tweeter with an aluminum dome (25 mm), ferrofluid cooling for a coil and a beautiful magnet made of ferrite, which greatly improved the transparency of the sound in comparison with its predecessors.

Speakers

The speaker with medium frequencies (140 mm), together with the polypropylene diffuser, is mounted in the construction next to the tweeter and is separated from the low frequencies by a special section. Dynamics work in the optimal frequency range due to a first-order filter (one tweeter - one capacitor).

The low-frequency driver is distinguished by the average presence of a dust-proof matrix instead of a phase distributor, and the port of the bass reflex port, which has been removed to the rear of the structure, has symmetric tubes to reduce the turbulence of the sound flow. Also in the design is provided by the buy-in, and all the key terminals are located on an anodized aluminum stake.

Yamaha NS 777

The Yamaha acoustic kit from the NS series is a three-way in-line speaker in a stylish and distinctive package. The model has the design Waveguide horn, which means the presence of woofers with reinforced PMD-membranes and high-end company wiring from the "Monster Cable". This allows the system to reproduce the most complex digital audio signals and accompany movies with any music sources.

In addition to excellent technical characteristics, Yamaha acoustics kit has a specific and at the same time elegant design, which was recognized by millions of fans of the brand. The case is made in black polish with a light insert of the speakers, which is typical for the brand's products.

The size of the mid-range speaker remained the same from previous rulers (130 mm), the sensitivity (89 dB) and the frequency range frame - 30-35 000 Hz have changed. The nominal power of the system does not exceed 100/250 W with a resistance of 6 ohms. There is also a Bi-Wiring function and a detailed filter setting. The model is perfect for both professional and amateur needs.