18 minute read
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Polishing Up a Real Gem
Bowers & Wilkins Introduces 4th Generation Diamond Series
By Michael Heiss
Think about speakers whose industrial design and appearance are as iconic and recognizable as their sound and a few legendary products will immediately come to mind: the original Altec Lansing’s A7 “Voice of the Theater,” JBL’s L-100 with their orange, Quadrex foam grilles that were featured in the famous Memorex ad, the original Klipschorn, Bose 901, and Martin Logan electrostatic speakers with their tall, metal grilles. Since 1979 one other member of that exclusive group has been the Bowers & Wilkins 800-Series Diamond models. The unique “Tweeter-on-Top,” combined in some models with the equally distinctive Turbine Head mid-range enclosure are melded into a sleek form that has made them instantly identifiable. Oh, and there is a beast inside the beauty as they are also world renowned for their sonic performance.
Icons tend to change very little over time, so when one does, then it is big news. That is even more difficult in B&W’s case as their products already have a reputation of being among the “best of the best.” Although the company started life with the goal of making only home loudspeakers, their products also have been widely adopted as monitors in recording studios across the globe. Thus, the formal unveiling of new top-range speakers in B&W’s Diamond line at CEDIA Expo 2021 will generate a great deal of noise (pun intended).
As the “D4” model line designation tells, this is the fourth generation of “D-Series 800” models, and the new range updates some of the brand’s distinctive appearance features. Most obvious, the new 805 and 804 models’ cabinets adopt the front “reverse warp” baffle cabinet look formerly reserved for the larger floorstanding models. All cabinets will now be available in Satin Walnut finish, joining the current Gloss Black, White, and Satin Rosewood options.
The design of the speaker cabinet serves as more than just an enclosure for the drivers. In many respects it is as key to acoustic performance as any other loudspeaker component. Throughout its history, B&W has paid extra attention to that aspect of the product, seeing it as both an industrial design/ appearance feature but also as an important element of determining the way it sounds.
The cabinet top plates are now made from an all-new, rigid, cast aluminum plate, rather than wood. For an even more luxurious appearance, the top plate is covered in Leather by Connolly in either black or light gray, depending on the cabinet finish. That is the same leather found today in Ferrari and Aston Martin luxury cars as well as previously becoming famous for use in many classic Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, and Maserati models.
Another aluminum plate runs vertically inside the front of the cabinet. The stiffness of these components will significantly reduce cabinet resonance to let the listener hear the true sound of the driver array, not unwanted noise from the speaker’s structure. Solid plywood also replaces MDF for the internal bracing, even further increasing cabinet stiffness.
The marriage of industrial design and sonic precision extends to the trademark Solid Body Tweeter enclosure atop each of the new models. Still manufactured from a solid piece of aluminum, its length has been extended. A similar tweeter enclosure inside the cabinet is now used for the two horizontal center channel models. Finally, the tweeter driver design has also undergone design updates and improvements.
Of course, no matter how innovative the cabinet design might be, the heart of a speaker is its drivers. While the basics of driver design
The formal unveiling of new top-range speakers in Bowers & Wilkins’ Diamond line should generate a great deal of noise.
The 800 Diamond Series features new Biomimetic Suspension for mid-range drivers and solid plywood for the internal bracing.
have been based on concepts that date back decades, it is the improvement in the inner workings of a driver where the modern-day leaps in performance are made. In the new 800 Diamond Series, one of those innovations is the new Biomimetic Suspension for mid-range drivers. It replaces the fabric-based spider that has remained basically unchanged for many years.
For those who aren’t familiar with spiders as a part of driver design, they are the round donutlike part that surrounds the voice coil to control its movement. Typically made of fabric, its solid dimensions may act as a mini speaker that sits behind the real driver. That, in turn, may create unwanted, unpredictable, non-linear effects. What B&W is introducing is a spider that holds true to the literal definition of the word. The new design is made of composite material and looks more like an open spider web than a solid disc with a hole in the middle. The open design greatly reduces unwanted air pressure so that you hear the driver cone’s vibration and resultant air movement, not that of the spider.
Among other continuing parts of the B&W driver design’s “secret sauce” is the trademarked Continuum Cone for midrange and mid/base frequencies, also made using composite material. I’d love to tell you how it is made, but this falls into the old cliché of “I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you” secrecy.
The new models fall into three new cabinet forms. The 805 D4 and 804 D4 are billed as “stereo models” with the former a two-way onstand model, while the latter is a floor-standing model with a more traditional cabinet design that eschews the Turbine Head mid-range driver enclosure of the higher end models by placing the 5-inch midrange inside the cabinet. The 805 D4 lists at $8,000/pair and is a two-way speaker with a 1-inch diamond dome tweeter and a 6.5inch midrange/bass driver. The 804 D4, $12,500/pair, is a three-way system that adds two 6.5-inch bass drivers to the driver mix of the 805 D4.
The three, standard configuration, floorstanding speaker models all feature the distinctive “Tweeter-on-Top” and “Turbine Head” driver enclosures above the main reversewrap bass enclosure cabinet and the unique Biomimetic Suspension driver construction technology. The 803 D4, at $20,000/pair, is a three-way design with a pair of 7-inch bass drivers, a 5-inch midrange and, of course, the model line’s namesake, the 1-inch diamond dome tweeter. A step up to the $28,000/pair 802 D4 changes the driver configuration to a 6-inch midrange and a pair of 8-inch bass drivers.
At the top of the new Diamond Series line is the 801 D4 at $35,000/pair. At over 220 pounds, it has all the improvements noted here to deliver frequency response from 15Hz up to 28kHz, with the quoted frequency range even more impressive at 13Hz to 35kHz. Here, the driver configuration upgrades the dual bass drivers to 10-inch versions. While the price may come across as a bit high, remember that it is only slightly more than half the price of Nautilus, B&W’s long-time flagship model.
While the first generation of the Diamond Series was conceived in a two-channel, stereo era, today even high-end models must exist in a multi-channel world. Thus, to complement to five new D4 stereo pair models there are new center channel speakers, as well. Both use complementary driver components including the Tweeter-On-Top configuration with Diamond Dome tweeter, the Biomimetic Suspension built around Continuum cones, and much more. From a design standpoint they also use the reverse wrap cabinet design and are available in black or silver finish.
The HTM82 B4, priced at $5,500, uses a 1-inch tweeter and 5-inch midrange, paired with two 6-inch bass drivers. This is the suggested match for the new 803 D4 and 804 D4. At $7,500, the HTM81 D4 ups its game with 8-inch bass drivers to more properly match the characteristics of the 801 D4 and 802 D4.
Filling out larger, object-based audio systems, the current CI 800 Series Diamond models remain current, as do the DB-Series subwoofers.
It is obvious that these speakers aren’t cheap, yet for many they remain an aspirational product and a point of pride for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. A good example of that was when the newly appointed president of a major audio company I worked for introduced himself to the senior staff, he pointed to the fact that he had B&W speakers in his own home system as a note of cred. (And this was at a totally different company whose top-line speaker brands and models do battle with B&W in the high-end market.)
The big question, however, is whether all the new design enhancements and improved components resulted in products that deliver on their promise and stand up to both their price and B&W’s reputation. To some extent, the true answer to that is up to you, just as it would be when comparing one expensive luxury car to another. Measurements aside, here the personal truth is in the listening.
Unfortunately, as of this writing I haven’t been able to listen to them, as their world premiere will be at CEDIA Expo. I’ll make it a point to listen to them there, and if they pique your audiophile interest, they will also be available through B&W dealers in September.
Will this storied brand’s latest offerings continue to make the grade? Time and listening will tell. x
Big Things in Small Packages
By Henry Clifford
The Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini soundbar and 8-inch wireless subwoofer were recently sent my way to check out. The sleek new system sports Dolby Atmos, AirPlay 2, and a host of other shiny features all for under $900. Would it sound any good? I was about to find out.
The Definitive Technology Studio Mini 3D comes packed in a well-designed box befitting the brand. Definitive is a higher end product line and they seem intent on preserving that equity with their forays into the sound bar space, crowded with cheap gear and crappy sound.
The box opens to reveal a template for wall mounting and a quick start guide. There’s also a card sporting a QR code prompting the user to scan for a tutorial. I did so and was a little surprised to be taken to the Studio 3D Mini product page rather than the promised training. The quick start guide, however, was very intuitive and I began to leaf through it to get things rolling.
Installation of the Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini
I followed along in the guide and connected the Studio 3D Mini soundbar and subwoofer to power. I let them boot up for a minute and then downloaded the HEOS app as the paper instructions petered off and I was nudged to finish the rest of the installation on the app.
The HEOS app quickly found the soundbar and subwoofer. After downloading updates for a good 15 minutes, a setup assistant popped up and told me to click “Next” after seeing a picture appear on my TV screen. The wizard made it seem like this picture should be coming from the soundbar, which I found odd since none of the directions asked me to make any video connections. I finally deduced it just meant to have the TV powered on with a working video signal, so I soldiered on.
Next up came the options for audio connectivity. The Studio 3D Mini can accept an HDMI audio/eARC signal or an optical cable. I opted to use the optical cable since that worked best with my test TV.
I clicked through a few more screens in the wizard and was finally dropped off into the settings menu. This struck me as a little convoluted. I would’ve expected some kind of room calibration or sound setting wizard to prompt me through making sure the audio settings were dialed in for the room. This part could definitely use some work. Taking a
The Definitive Technology Studio 3D Mini soundbar and 8-inch wireless subwoofer.
The Definitive Technology Studio Mini 3D teases a future where we’ve moved past what can only be easily delivered with headphones now into an immersive audio experience.
customer from unboxing to ideal final configuration is a crucial set of steps where first impressions count for a lot. That said, this system sounds unbelievable for its price and size.
I used a few Dolby Atmos test tracks and was amazed at how large of a presence the Studio Mini 3D immediately established. It’s truly immersive with sound coming from seemingly everywhere. The downfiring subwoofer provided a killer low end and didn’t distort even at high volumes. It’s hard to believe that Definitive has been able to achieve this level of sound at such a low price point.
I moved past the test videos into music and it became clear very quickly that products like the Studio Mini 3D are transcending stereo audio for music listening as more services like TIDAL and Apple Music come our way with hi-res Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio tracks. Songs like Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Bob Marley’s “Exodus” enveloped me with a well-rounded balance of treble, midrange, and low end.
The Studio Mini 3D teases a future where we’ve moved past what can only be easily delivered with headphones now into an immersive audio experience as we all look for more ways to recreate live sound in our family rooms.
Final Report
Big things do indeed come in small packages, and the Studio 3D Mini is a great example of a fantastic brand like Definitive Technology deciding to throw their weight behind a category where there hasn’t been a lot of recent excitement. It’s a steal at $899 for the system and appears clearly aimed at an audience focused on highquality streaming and easy device connectivity. I highly recommend this system to anyone looking to outfit a naked TV or just wants a killer speaker and subwoofer combination. x
Making Audio More Human
Monitor Audio Continues Its Evolution with the New Silver Series, Now Entering Its 7th Generation
By Walter Joseph
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner in the world of audio, Monitor Audio is a brand that encourages you to set the bar high, and then help you to reach it. They have an abundance of technical knowledge and are big on the nerdy little details that make great sound possible.
For this hi-fi audio brand, however, phenomenal audio is more than the sum of its parts. It’s about the finest metals and craftsmanship, as well as the warmth – the flesh and blood of the listener and the connection. That’s why, Monitor Audio’s mission is to make audio human.
Leading up to its 50-year anniversary, Monitor Audio has introduced the 7th generation of its award-winning and critically acclaimed Silver Series, which embodies the company’s decades of audio expertise. Thanks to a choice of real-wood veneers or beautifully painted and finished cabinets, these speakers have a refined, understated look – the perfect counterpoint to their bold, powerful sound.
Improvements in the 7th Generation of Silver
Several new improvements have been made in the 7th generation of Silver. A new C-CAM Gold Dome Tweeter design features a completely new magnet structure, rear chamber design and surround, and also takes Monitor Audio’s Uniform Dispersion Waveguide technology and further refines it. A new aluminum alloy has been selected for the Rigid Surface Technology II (RST II) drivers, which improves the tensile strength of the cone while maintaining all the benefits of C-CAM technology. Building on the work conducted for the Gold 5G range, Monitor Audio has developed a new mid-range that follows the same design objectives, to improve directivity through the use of a compact design and to maximise the bandwidth of the driver to allow a smooth crossover with the tweeter.
Some other improvements made for the 7th generation of Silver include a new 66mm cone with 100mm chassis, enhanced bookshelf speakers, improved home cinema capabilities which include the addition of the Silver AMS Dolby Atmos module (a first for the series), new crossover design, new cabinet design including two new finishes (Natural Walnut and Ash), and new Damped Concentric Mode (DCM) technology, which produces a more accurate time response from the speaker and delivers higher performance from the complete system.
With the class-leading performance of the new Silver Series through Monitor Audio’s latest metal coned drivers and technological innovations, the music you love is more precise, with less distortion than ever. So even with the volume pumped right up, the sound you hear couldn’t be clearer.
As the world continues to evolve with new technologies and ideas, Monitor Audio is evolving with it. The Silver Series is only the most recent chapter from the story of the nearly 50-year-old brand that strives for excellence through innovation and unparalleled sound quality to deliver solutions that serve every application, style, and budget.
Monitor Audio was founded in Cambridge, England, in 1972, by Mo Iqbal and his team of engineers, who worked out of a small factory assembling loudspeakers by hand. They began
Monitor Audio has introduced the 7th generation of its awardwinning and critically acclaimed Silver Series.
A new cabinet design for Monitor’s 7th generation of Silver speaker includes two new finishes (Natural Walnut and Ash), and new Damped Concentric Mode (DCM) technology.
by creating traditional loudspeaker designs, which would soon evolve into some of the most unique solutions within the industry by the mid-1980s when the company would introduce its first generation of metal drivers and tweeters called C-CAM (Ceramic-Coated Aluminum Magnesium).
Originally developed by the aerospace industry for jet engine components, C-CAM drivers and tweeters offer advantages over traditional drivers as its properties are ideal for loudspeaker cones, being extremely rigid yet light enough to yield high overall efficiency. C-CAM cones have a much higher resistance to bending and stress and therefore exhibit much greater control and fidelity over their entire operating range. They also feature a significant decrease in audible distortion compared with other materials. C-CAM shares an audible consistency, producing a smooth transition of frequencies and a sense of realism and cohesion in the soundstage.
Today, by consistently refining and applying their technologies, Monitor Audio has become an expert in developing metal dome drivers and tweeters. Metal is not the easiest material to shape, which is why many companies choose paper or plastic. However, when treated correctly, metal has the ability to producing more life-like sound.
Transcending into Custom
Monitor Audio dealers around the globe wanted a broader range of solutions that would feature trickle-down technology from the company’s Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Series speakers. Lifestyle and custom installation speakers were the natural progression for the British manufacturer.
Monitor Audio’s Lifestyle ranges are comprised of smaller satellite speakers, wallmountable speakers, and soundbars. Using the same C-CAM driver and tweeter technology that Monitor Audio is known for, the lifestyle ranges are slim and more compact than traditional box speakers, which make them ideal for rooms or applications where space is limited.
Monitor Audio’s Custom Installation speaker range started off small, only to rise and become a huge collection of solutions across multiple performance levels. Today, Monitor Audio has nearly 70 different custom speakers ranging from $175 each to $5,500 each (USD), which include in-ceiling and in-wall models, subwoofers, and all-weather models.
Just two years ago, Monitor Audio took their custom range a step further and introduced a line of installation amplifiers that work seamlessly with their range of custom speakers. The installation amplifiers are built to do more and use less space and are backed by a five-year warranty.
The range is comprised of six models – three standard distribution amplifiers and three connected amplifiers.
The distribution amplifiers feature full connectivity with simple wired voltage trigger or signal sense and the connected amplifiers feature more complex DSP and IP control, offering wider flexibility and integration. Using the “Connect” IP interface, a web application that can be accessed by any device with a web browser, the installer can set features and fine tune audio performance remotely from the amplifier location. Through training, Monitor Audio dealers are in a position to maximize the performance capabilities of the connected amps and in turn the Monitor Audio system.
The IMS-4 Streamer
Featuring BluOS technology, the IMS-4 music streamer can stream four different sources to four separate zones, and its BluOS Controller app offers complete flexibility, including streaming from music services, easy access to music libraries, and voice control through a smart device.
Accessed through the app, or one of the many supported integrated control systems including Crestron, Control4, and RTI, multiple IMS-4 music streamers can be integrated with other BluOS devices to provide up to 64 zones of music, with each zone able to play together in perfect sync or play different streams to separate zones. And, BluOS allows streaming of lossless music up to 24-bit/192kHz to every room in a home network.
The IMS-4 can deliver millions of Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) recordings, providing a high performance, seamless music experience anywhere in the home.
“The IMS-4 is an exciting new addition to our extensive range of industry-leading custom installation solutions,” said Michael Hedges, Monitor Audio’s technical director. “I am sure our customers will love its ease of installation, flexibility and powerful performance.”
With the slimline IMS-4 Music Streamer, Monitor Audio offers an exceptional source for custom home audio projects that will complement their range of installation amplifiers and custom speakers as part of their ever-growing portfolio of high performance solutions. x
