ESD Series
The world is full of passive speakers using basic and often inefficient passive networks with the simple aim of offering an affordable easy to install solution when attached to any amplifier available. The results however are often far from acceptable due to poor phase coherency through a minimal crossover circuit and time misalignment between components.
Add to this high distortion from low cost amplifier designs and you have a speaker highly susceptible to feedback with very poor fidelity. The growth of active speaker technology has provided suitable advances in resolving some of these issues, however there are economical advantages in installing passive speakers that can still provide high quality reproduction if done properly. When KV2 Audio decided to add a passive line to our growing range of speakers we looked at how we could improve the design of a passive [analod_delay_line] crossover network to achieve the best possible sound quality. Drawing on our deep experience in active technology we developed an analog delay line circuit that would provide time alignment and phase correction passively, substantially improving clarity and definition. Combined with our Active Impedance Control, the results are simply stunning.
We know that one size does not fit all applications so we had to ensure that a variety of models installed into a venue would not require multiple processors to try and achieve an even sound balance across the venue. We carefully tailored the frequency response and sensitivity of each model so that they would simply compliment each other when installed in a venue with little or no outboard control. While matching frequency response and sensitivity, we also provided varied impedances for the different sizedcabinets to suit a variety of applications.
Enclosed within Baltic Birch cabinets, the conservative aesthetic presentation and tactile feel create an atmosphere of quality that matches the audio performance. All in all, true to our philosophy of achieving the best sound quality possible, we have created in the ESD range, a speaker range that incorporates all of the economical and easy installation aspects of passive speakers without the need for expensive external processors.
ESD15 - The Full Range Passive System
The new ESD15 incorporates a unique coaxial 15" transducer with a 1.75" Nitride Titanium Neodymium Compression Driver on a wide dispersion 80 x 60 degree horn. Whilst most coaxial speakers will try to cover the full frequency response, the ESD15’s coaxial driver only covers bass and highs leaving the all important mid-range to a 6" neodymium speaker mounted on a large 80 x 60 degree horn. This resolves the issue of the 15" driver trying and failing to reproduce mid-range, a common problem with conventional coaxial designs. The ESD15’s unique design provides extremely flat, full range reproduction from a compact yet powerful package that out performs speakers twice its size, weight and price.
Features
- Professional, Baltic birch construction with wear resistant polymer coating
- 126dB full range sustained output with very high dynamic range
- Compact cabinet design, 3-way design in the typical dimension of a 2-way
- Wide dispersion 80° H x 60° V horn
- Revolutionary passive 3-way design, featuring built-in crossover and delay line
- State of the art 15" coaxial woofer with neodymium magnetic motor structure
- 1" throat exit (1.75" compression driver) Nitride Titanium diaphragm compression driver with complex geometry phase plug and neodymium magnetic structure for higher output, exceptionally low distortion and extended frequency response
- 6" horn loaded midrange with 80° H x 60° V dispersion
- Proprietary top handle design for simplified handling and carrying and two side handles integrates one M10 suspension point, OmnimountTM bracket point and four M6 points
- Additional side and bottom M10 points for flexible rigging and installation options
- "Top-hat" for pole mounting applications