THE ULTIMATE COVER STORY

Promising the performance of visible speakers, the Sonance Motion Flex Invisible range changes everything, says Habitech’s Gio Scatola.

In 1983 Scott Struthers and Geoff Spencer put a speaker in a wall and, arguably, catalysed an entire industry. Since then, the company they founded has been leading the charge to make audio disappear, ultimately with the completely invisible speaker. But as any engineer will tell you, the big design challenge to the wider deployment of invisibles of every stripe has always been sound quality. How do you make a speaker that’s buried in plaster sound like one that isn’t? For Sonance it’s a philosophical challenge as much as a commercial one, as Chief Engineer Todd Ryan explains: “if an invisible speaker could reproduce sound with the quality level of a visible speaker, then that would be the ultimate promise of the brand”. Today, with the arrival of the Motion Flex Invisible range, that promise has been kept.

THE GREATEST WOW OF ALL

It’s taken two years of research into the physics of flat diaphragms to refine the ideal marriage of aesthetics and acoustics. Traditionally the drivers inside all invisible speakers, including Sonance models, are mounted to a metal frame and drive the diaphragm directly and simultaneously. But there’s nothing to stop the waves from the mid driver rippling outwards to interfere with those from the bass driver on the same radiating surface, boosting distortion and colouration. It’s a recipe for acoustic disaster and, as it turns out, completely avoidable. Because in a breakthrough for invisible speaker design, Sonance has found a way to isolate discrete wave patterns on a single diaphragm for optimum fidelity.

First the team recalibrated its Klippel laser scanning tools (designed to study the micro behaviour of cone diaphragms) to map the movement of flat surfaces, revealing that different drivers produce very distinct responses in the diaphragm: mid/hf drivers create a bending wave motion (imagine a pebble being dropped into a pond and the ripples that it would create) while woofers generate a totally different pistonic movement (back and forth like a piston). Armed with this proprietary knowledge, the team devised a blend of four innovations to ensure that the two waveforms can successfully co-exist on the same panel. They called it Motion Flex technology.

THE FRONT DIAPHRAGM

The new diaphragm is made from FibreReinforced Polymer (FRP), selected for its exceptional temperature/dimensional stability and leading acoustic and vibrational performance. Covering the diaphragm is a paper, matching the properties of gypsum wall board to allow the topping compound to dry evenly without cracking.

Klippel analysis of flat surfaces reveals that mid/hf drivers create a bending wave motion (top) while woofers generate a totally different pistonic movement

THE TRANSDUCERS

Custom designed for the project, the allnew ‘Wave Flex’ mid/hf driver has a wide response from 30kHz down to lower midrange frequencies where it crosses over with the proprietary ‘Air Flex’ carbon-fibre woofer. As part of the Motion Flex approach, the woofer couples to a chamber of air behind the diaphragm, and it’s the air rather than the woofer itself that drives the panel, producing a uniformly pistonic surface motion.

THE ISOLATING BAFFLE AND CDX CROSSOVER

Unlike typical invisible speaker designs, the Motion Flex drivers are installed within a rigid baffle formed from an alloy of Polycarbonate and ABS. Between the drivers and at the periphery, the baffle is permanently bonded to the diaphragm, allowing the area in front of the drivers to radiate freely. Effectively this divides the diaphragm into two discrete radiators, isolating the output of the Wave Flex driver from the Air Flex woofer. As a result, distortion and coloration drop like a stone, setting a new performance benchmark for invisible speakers.

With the proprietary Constant Directivity (CDX) network dividing input frequencies at an unusually low crossover point, the Motion Flex system offers excellent 170-degree horizontal/ vertical dispersion and smooth off-axis response for optimal sound quality from wall or ceiling.

INVISIBLE EVERYWHERE

Installation practicality has also taken a giant leap forward. At 12mm the Motion Flex baffle is the same depth as the surrounding plasterboard so installs flawlessly flush without the need for shims to compensate for depth disparity. Install flexibility is boosted by a narrower rear profile, compatible with stud and joist spacing down to 12in (305mm). And to keep contractors honest, the new range incorporates the Sonance Depth Identification Sensing Calibration (DISC) feature in which four steel discs embedded in the baffle work with a hand-held depth gauge accessory to measure the finish depth. Now you have a way to test whether the contractor has applied the ideal finish thickness of 1-1.5mm before the final finishing stage.

The Motion Flex Invisibles work with the ‘DISC’ gauge to check the correct finish depth

PARADIGM SHIFT

The results speak for themselves, surpassing even Sonance’s lofty expectations. Test bench gains were so emphatic they made comparison with other invisibles useless. Instead, the team had to measure their next-gen progeny against flagship 8in, 3-way models from Sonance’s award-winning, visible, VP range. For Todd Ryan the Motion Flex line-up has taken the ultimate CI engineering challenge in its stride. In the launch video he says, “I have 100% confidence that if these were put behind a screen and you had no idea what was playing, in a million years you would not guess that this was an invisible speaker product, even when compared with any of our competitors’ visible speakers.” This is an astonishing outcome for a system buried beneath a layer of mud.

THE LINE-UP

As many as seven models give you the versatility to design completely invisible fullrange systems of consistent high fidelity but with different levels of bass according to room size. Use the IS6 for smaller rooms and a broad range of applications together with the IS10W for bass support. The IS8 is the ‘sweet spot’ in the range and the best choice for medium and larger rooms. Both IS6 and IS8s can be used with the companion IS10W sub extending the system down to 35Hz. And for the biggest spaces, the daddy IS10 will deliver full-range dynamics light years in advance of any rival. Meanwhile, extra deep bass to an impressive 30Hz is available from the IS15W sub to complement its range mates in a totally invisible home theatre sound system. Imagine that! Completing the line-up there’s the 100V line IS6T and IS8T for commercial applications.

THE ULTIMATE COVER STORY

Sonance isn’t the first company to claim amazing sound quality from its invisibles, but it can back it up with universally positive testimonials from top integrators in the field. For instance, Robert Taussig, Managing Director of Robert Taussig says “the new Sonance Invisible range are the first invisible speakers which genuinely compete with the best of the flush, visible, in wall speakers whilst still retaining their unique features. “There’s a special advantage to having huge dispersion with no visible speakers. “Redecorating no longer means having to replace tired looking old speakers and critical alignment is no longer an issue when trying to overcome installation obstacles as you don’t see them!”

Rhian Barnett of Affinitive AV comments “the new Sonance speakers are the best I’ve heard in years, and they’re invisible!! We will recommend these on every job”, while Andy Bell of Trusted Technology adds, “we heard the IS10 invisible speakers and were truly blown away, speechless with the quality”. And Steve Barrett of SMC concludes, “the most impressive invisible speakers I’ve heard... they represent a real step forward in plaster-over loudspeaker performance.”

These guys are not easily won over, but if you’re still unsure whether an invisible speaker can sound as good as the best visible in-walls, come down to Basingstoke for a listen, and bring your best customers. Like all those before them, they’ll be wowed by the magic of the greatest disappearing act since the first in-wall speaker. And that, surely, is the ultimate cover story from the evolution of discreet custom installed sound.

Watch the launch video

Visit habitech.co.uk for further information or meet us at Basingstoke for the complete ‘Designed to Disappear’ experience.

Habitech habitech.co.uk

TOGETHER FOREVER!

Ian Morrish founder of Together For Cinema (TCF) provides EI with our regular update on everything happening with the home cinema industry’s effort to support those providing special care.

Since our last report we have opened two new cinema rooms, committed to two further cinema room installations, refurbished two previously installed cinema rooms, seen the Cisco partnership pilot scheme take off, attended the much-awaited ISE show, gathered lots of products and posted lots of social media.

ISE was a great success and we had over 25 hugely positive meetings. The general feeling out there is one of unquestioned support and I feel very privileged to be in this position with such positive support and backing.

We made it onto the BBC! Our Rainbows Children’s Hospice cinema room installation in Loughborough, as installed by Gary Mills and his team at Decorum Technology, was covered by BBC East Midlands. This install was featured in last month’s EI magazine and can be seen on the EI website as well. Having posted this on LinkedIn I’m delighted to say that we had over 4,500 views, over 50 comments and about 25 shares.

The amazing efforts of Chris Pinder from HDANYWHERE have to be mentioned again and he has now raised a magnificent £46,560.

Thank you to Chris, but also to all involved with Team Pinder, and of course to all those that kindly donated and backed his incredible efforts in the Sahara Desert. Watch this space for news of another crazy challenge that we’re discussing with another member of our fabulous industry.

BIG PROGRESS

At the start of the year we had an ambitious seven cinema room installations planned, and we are on target to deliver these.

By the end 2022 we will have taken our installation tally to 36 rooms at a normal installation value in excess of £850,000.

For 2023 we currently have seven installations in discussion. As with all plans we have to be subject to change and already there has been some swapping about so the list below is of course subject to change! The installs are as follows:-

• Claire House Children’s Hospice, Liverpool.

Installer: TBC.

• Derian House Children’s Hospice, Chorley.

Installer: TBC.

• Ellenor Hospice for Children and Adults,

Gravesend. Installer: TBC. • Hope House Children’s Hospices, Ty Gobaith.

Installer: TBC.

• Resources for Autism, London. Installer: TBC. • Richard House Children’s Hospice, London.

Installer: TBC.

• Robin House Children’s Hospice, Ballach.

Installer: TBC.

…and for the moment, this will be the basis of our delivery for 2023.

With another seven installations we will need another seven installers and seven more projectors, screens, AVR’s, speaker packages, racks, control, lighting etc… so please do what you can to help and spread the word to those installers, manufacturers and distributors who also might be able to help.

We are grateful to so many of you who support the cause but we need this help to be an annual commitment in order to keep making these very special cinema rooms happen. Please do what you can.

Together For Cinema now has 45 industry sponsors at varying levels of commitment. All of these sponsors can be seen on our website along with all the other partners, companies and individuals that help make Together For Cinema happen. A big thank you to you all, not only from me and those that benefit from our good work, but also our industry as a whole. This really is becoming a collaborative effort and one that is generating great support.

As strong as support appears to be, we still need another four or five sponsors to achieve our minimum operational budgeted for 2022.

The sooner we can secure these sponsors, the sooner we can focus 100% on completing the installations and developing our other activities to further the difference that we can all make in our community. With this in mind…

CAN YOU BECOME ONE OF OUR SPONSORS?

If you are interested in becoming one of the Together For Cinema sponsors, you can do so from as little as £500. Every penny of support will be committed to furthering the cause and making a difference to the children and young adults that we look to help.

You will receive a Together For Cinema sponsor pack and some social and trade media exposure, not that anyone ever donates for any specific return, but it helps us to publicise those that do.

For further details please email me at ian@ad-con.uk or call me on 0sevenseven68 39800seven.

Together For Cinema togetherforcinema.co.uk