Reduction does not always mean just leaving out. Reduction often means creating awareness for the essentials. Or simply: concentration. The DUO SD with single drive bass unit is the concentrate of what makes a speaker the perfect entry into the ‘classic sound’ of the DUO series.

PASSIVE VERSION.

The passive version is designed for operation with external HiFi amplifiers.
With 109 dB efficiency and 27 ohms impedance, the speaker is extremely easy to operate and ideally suited even for low-power amplifiers. The ideal speaker for the best high end amplifiers in the world.

ITRON VERSION.

In the ITRON version, the amplifiers are built into the speaker and no additional external power amplifiers are needed. For this purpose we have developed integrated electronics based on fundamentally different electro-physical laws than any other amplifier on the market. We have thus succeeded – as the first manufacturer worldwide – in making the technological approach of the current amplifier, which was previously considered technologically unmanageable, work. For a sound that sounds simply heavenly.

With our SphericLowCut filter, Airgate technology and PolarizationPlus circuit, we have developed the most innovative technological concepts in our passive crossover.

These are completed, with the highest quality components available. Our new NatureCap is an extremely intricately designed capacitor, handmade in Germany. Instead of using ultra-thin plastic foils vaporized with aluminum, the electrodes are made of precisely rolled aluminum foil. As dielectric we use a cellulose fiber compound impregnated by biological oils. The NatureCap is approx. 25 x larger than the capacitors from the XD series and is stably attached to the circuit board via specially manufactured brackets.

For the DUO SD we have developed a completely new drive. Compared to the previous model, we have increased the voice coil from 100mm to 153mm. With this gigantic 6 inch motor structure, we achieve absolute top values for the power factor and power handling, while reducing the power compression.

The motor structure consists of two high-grade magnets magnetized in Europe’s largest 200,000 volt facility. Due to the huge voice coil, the force of the permanent magnet with 1.15 Tesla flux density is transmitted to a voice coil circumference of 480mm. This is an increase of over 50% compared to the previous model!

We use low carbon steel for the pole plates specially designed for the XB12. To ensure high linearity even at maximum excursion of the diaphragm, the centering has a patented dynamic profile with progressive design of the surround. The surround is made of low-loss NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) for fast and clean transient response.

The diaphragm is made of a composite of long-fiber paper and carbon fiber – extremely strong and torsionally stiff for precise pistonic excursion of the diaphragm during transient and decay events.

The XB12’s new SingleFrame chassis has robust die-cast aluminum cantilevers that also enclose the magnet, for a completely stable composite of materials around the moving components of the motor structure.

The XB12 is our reference in terms of bass. A statement that underlines the uncompromising and uniqueness of the G3 series.

The DUO SD’s active subwoofer is powered by the G3-500 power module. This integrated power amplifier consists of a 500 watt amplifier that provides ample headroom even with complex EQ settings.

The subwoofer can be switched on remotely via a 12 volt switching voltage input. Direct connection to integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers or receivers is via speaker-level input terminals. Alternatively, line-level inputs are available via XLR terminals. The signal tap is not only high-impedance, but also balanced and transformer-coupled. This keeps the circuit ground floating, which avoids hum loops and facilitates connection to balanced and bridged amplifier designs.

All electronics are fused via a state-of-the-art E-Fuse circuit. This is not only much faster and thus safer than conventional fuses, but also ideal in terms of sound.

The bass power amplifier is equipped with an advanced digital sound processor.

With a precision and bit accuracy that cannot be achieved with analog technology, the digital crossover eliminates all passive filter elements in the signal path.

The subwoofer volume is adjusted via two buttons on the DSP display.

Extensive additional settings (e.g. high and low pass filters, equalizers etc.) can be programmed with the Avantgarde Control Software. For this purpose, the DSP has 2 x LAN sockets, which allow daisy-chaining and thus programming of several subwoofers simultaneously. A USB connection is optionally available.

The user interface has been completely revised and now allows a very simple intuitive use by the customer. Thus, all parameters can be easily adjusted to the room acoustics or listening habits.

The BASS-BOOST control can be used to boost the low frequency response below 45 Hz and thus adjust the bass response from “linear” to “fat”.

For individual frequency adjustments, the DSP has an 8-band equalizer. Each of the 8 x bands can be boosted or cut by up to 4 dB. In this way, the bass response can be adapted to certain sounds (linear, techno, disco, pop, etc.) or some broadband room resonances can be reduced.

The LPF-RANGE slider adjusts the upper crossover frequency of the subwoofer and thus the “tonal balance” of the system.

With higher frequency, the subwoofer partially overlaps with the frequency response of the midrange horn. This makes the sound character of voices / instruments “warmer” and “fuller”.

When the crossover frequency is set to a lower frequency, the subwoofer and midrange frequency response have a small gap. The tonal balance of the system shifts towards a more “dynamic & punchy” sound.

FILTER 1 & 2 are narrow band “notch” filters with a level cut of -3dB or -6dB. These filters can be used to eliminate/reduce unwanted narrowband resonant frequencies of the room.