BASSHORN
The high end myth
FACT SHEET
BASSHORN
The high end myth
FACT SHEET
BASSHORN
1.400 mm expo–spherical horn length
8.500 cm2 horn mouth area per module
1.100 cm2 driver area per module
active ADRIC feedback control (patent pend.)
2 x 12 inch neodymium bass drivers
2 x 250 watt subwoofer amplifier with 120.000 µF
THE BASS HEAVEN
The Basshorn is much more than just the ultimate bass extension
to high end stereo systems. It provides the rock-solid foundation to
any kind of music. It extends dramatically the dynamic spectrum
and emotional impact of the Trio system. It does not only bring the
lowest frequencies spectacularly, powerful and ultra-dynamic to
life, but even transforms the sound quality of voices and
instruments into a new class of precision and and authenticity.
The Basshorn extends the energy content and transients of the Trio
to the lowest octaves. A full range horn solution which brings
music to a new level of excitement – a seductive fascination like
you have never heard before!
BASSHORN
The high end myth
FACT SHEET
THE HIGH END MYTH
Why is the Basshorn a high end myth? Why is its nature of
response so explosive, precise, natural and pure? Why is any other
bass technology – even the most elaborate designs – so
dramatically outperformed? Just look at it and you know why!
This mythical quality is first of all emphasised by their sheer size
- which is determind by physics - and last but not least by their
potential of providing for ultimate punch and clarity in the bass
range.
But accomodating a hornloaded bass so far demanded a huge
commitment: either by compulsory use of corners, by necessary
construction work in your listening room, or by lack of deep bass
(due to “reasonable” horn dimensions). Avantgarde Acoustic™
succeeded in designing and engineering a highly flexible modular
horn subwoofer which accomodates to various environmental and
acoustical conditions.
You can decide for yourself how to configurate and where to place
your Basshorn: in corners or free standing in front of a wall, as
double, fourfold or sixfold Basshorn. Every module is reasonable
dimensioned, thus no extensive logistics are required for transport
and setup.
The Avantgarde Acoustic™ Basshorn isn’t just another powered
subwoofer, its ADRIC (Adaptive Radiation Impedance Control)
amplifier technology (Patent pend.) allows for powerful and deep
bass despite its relatively small horn mouth area. This ensures a
convincing performance of even only 2 or 4 Basshorn modules,
because every single module performs down to 18 Hz; an
unparalleled performance at the given horn dimensions.
The built in crossover and ADRIC amplifier allow for a sensitive
adjustment to the available satellites and to the acoustical
environment.
BASSHORN
The high end myth
FACT SHEET
THE SYSTEM
The Basshorn is a fully active bass system with a response of 18 to
250 Hz. Each Basshorn is driven by two powerful 12 inch long excursion drivers with 600 watts RMS. With their 185 inches squared
of membrane area, the drivers are capable of displacing 31 inches
of cubic air which is thrust into throat of the horn.
The sound waves are then guided through the 55 inch long expo–
spherical horn and propagated into the room. The modular concept
allows the user to tailor the system to different acoustical
environments and allows for further upgrades by just adding
another set of Basshorns, up to a maximum of 6 modules. The horn
mouth area of each Basshorn module is 9 ft squared. In a 6 x
Basshorn configuration this translates to 54 ft squared!
But besides its overwhelming dimensions and impressive technical
specifications, the Avantgarde Acoustic™ designers have included
something really unique: the patented ADRIC-technology.
This “Active Dynamic Radiation Impedance Compensation” is a
special circuit which dynamically compensates for small horn
mouth dimensions and linearises the bass response below the
cut-off frequency of the horn. It enables the Basshorn - even when
operated only with 1 module - to achieve a bass response down to
18 hz with a horn mouth of just 9 ft squared. With its patented
ADRIC circuitry the horn specialists from Avantgarde Acoustic™
have managed to design the smallest full range horn subwoofer in
the world.
BASSHORN
The high end myth
TECHNOLOGY
THE ADRIC HORNSUBWOOFER
Basshorn systems are a myth and enjoy a legendary but at the
same time – when they are constructed too small – an ambivalent
reputation. Too small dimension will inevitably cause bouncy
impedance curves and a boomy frequency response.
To cope with this problem, the technical literature recommends
using drivers with very stiff suspension, light moving mass and
small rear chamber volumes. This way the resonance frequency of
the driver F
is set at or above the cut-off frequency of the horn FO.
O
As the driver does radiate significantly less energy below his
resonance frequency reflections back into the horn are minimized.
In other words the driver parameters are matched to the horn in a
way, that the response for the given horn is optimized. This shows
the major drawback of reactance annulling. The lowest frequency
is only determined by the size of the horn. So reactance annulling
improves the response but cannot make horns go lower in
frequency!
Contrary to all common knowledge, Avantgarde Acoustic™´s
approach purposely works without reactance annulling. Unlike the
drivers used in their ADRIC basshorn systems have a low
resonance frequency with relatively soft suspension. These are
applied in a front loaded horn with a big rear volume behind the
driver to allow for high acoustical output at low frequencies. To
compensate for the inescapable impedance irregularities - caused
by the resonance frequency of the driver being lower than the cutoff frequency of the horn - the Avantgarde Acoustic™ uses its
patented “Active Dynamic Radiation Impedance Compensation”.
The way ADRIC works is shown in the graphic. The upper chart
shows the typical bumpy impedance curve caused by a driver with
low resonance frequency connected to a relatively small horn. The
output voltage of the ADRIC amp is shown in the chart below. At
rising impedance of its load the ADRIC amplifier with negative
output impedance generates an inversely proportional output
voltage. It is practically the inverse of the frequency curve.
The thick black line in the next chart shows the resulting frequency
curve driven with an ADRIC amplifier. The circuit linearizes the
peak at the resonance frequency of the driver 1, the peak caused by
back reflections at the cut-off frequency of the horn 2, the spikes
caused by cabinet resonances and further room induced reflections
3. Furthermore ADRIC flattens the upper frequency response of the
horn, caused by the higher inductivity of the driver at higher
frequencies 5. As the motional feedback circuit of ADRIC
compensates as well for all cabinet induced influences, even the
frequency response below the resonance frequency of the driver is
beeing linearized 4. ADRIC thus automatically compensates all
waviness and ripples induced by cabinet, horn, driver and room.
The drop below the cut-off frequency of the horn is caused by the
difference in sensitivity between horn and sealed enclosure. Using
RESULTING IMPEDANCE CURVE
Peak caused by reflections of
sound waves back into the horn
IMPEDANCE BOTH
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
LEVEL
OUTPUT
DRIVER
Fo
Peak caused by driver resonance frequency
and volume of rear driver chamber
OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF ADRIC AMPLIFIER
DRIVER
RESULTING FREQUENCY CURVE DRIVEN WITH ADRIC
(without EQ)
ACTIVE EQ LINEARISATION OF ADRIC MODULE
Fo
1
4
HORN
Fo
HORN
Fo
2
Further peaks caused by
cabinet resonances and
room induced reflections
FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY
3
5
FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY
an active equalization with the respective filter characteristics (see
lower chart) will flatten this drop. As a result all Avantgarde
Acoustic™ ADRIC horn bass system will have a perfectly flat
frequency response.
The proprietary ADRIC technology of Avantgarde Acoustic™ thus
ensures that relative small hornsize and overwhelming low
frequency extension does not necessarily exclude. It is based on
our fundamental research of the electro-acoustical
interdependencies of wavefronts being induced in horn funnels.
The complex ADRIC circuits detect the characteristic impedance
peaks and precisely compensate through ultrafast analogue
feedback loops.
BASSHORN
The high end myth
AMPLIFIER
THE SUBWOOFER AMPLIFIER
The integrated active HPA 106 electronics of the Basshorn consists
of two powerful 250 watt amplifiers and an active frequency
crossover. A forceful 540VA toroidal transformer and an energy
reservoir of 120.000 µF providing ample energy reserves and
dynamic headroom. Up to 1.000 Watts of class A/B amplifier power
provide for sufficient reserves under any condition. The toroidal
mains transformer is mechanically decoupled to prevent
resonances.
In order to achieve full control to overcome the inertia of the driver
mass, the HPA 106 is equipped with Avantgarde´s genuine ADRIC
circuitry. These ultrafast analogue electronics compensate detect
and compensate for characteristic impedance fluctuations of the
bass driver voice coil - effected by small horn mouth dimensions by a fast analogue feedback loop. As a result the Basshorn
achieves an astonishingly flat frequency response down to 18 Hz!
Furthermore, even at very low listening levels – when the music
signal is too weak to overcome the inertia of the bass driver mass
– the adaptive motional feedback circuitry will seamlessly increase
its power output for a full and rich bass response.
The active crossover allows the adjustment of a number of
parameters thus ensuring a very easy and fast installation of the
system even in acoustically critical situations. A 3–position
subsonic switch, variable settings for the input sensitivity and
crossover frequencies make the HPA 106 extremely versatile. The
HPA 106 can be remotely switched on/off using the 12V trigger
signal.
The HPA 106 is driven via high power speaker terminals for direct
connection to integrated amps, power amplifiers or receivers or
alternatively via XLR terminals. The signal take–off is not only at
high impedance, but is also balanced and transformer coupled. This
floats the subwoofer ground, avoiding hum loops and eases
connection to balanced and bridged amplifier designs.
BASSHORN
The high end myth
DRIVER
THE SUBWOOFER DRIVER
The Basshorn is driven by two powerful 30 cm (12 inch) 600 watts
(RMS) long-excursion drivers.
The 12–ND600 is the result of an extensive and intense research of
every single constituent part of an electro-dynamic loudspeaker,
rethinking the basics and taking care of every detail, to withstand
the extreme power conditions it has been designed to work in.
All this investigation is reflected in the new and innovative
technologies developed by Avantgarde Acoustic™ and applied in this
new transducer.
The 12–ND600 features a 4 inch voice coil with laminated former
combining two different advanced technology materials to enhance
the voice coil life and to ensure an optimum force transmission. A
forced convection mechanism results in low power compression.
This design has been optimized with the extensive use of miniature
high temperature probes and real-time temperature acquisition
systems, together with a thermographic camera to obtain real
images of the heat distribution in the voice coil and forced
convection effects.
The Double Conex Spider with its diaphragm surround and the
double spider have been carefully designed with the assistance of
Finite Element calculations in order to match coherently, enabling
long and controlled cone displacements.
The 12–ND600 long excursion drive unit is characterized by its
extremely high efficiency and utmost power handling capabilities.
The extended controlled excursion is +/– 8 mm. Exclusive neodym
magnets with a special under–pole magnet topology are used to
maximize the flux density in the air gap and to eliminate energy
leakage of the magnetic field. The powerful neodym magnet with a
very strong BL power factor and the very stiff but light membrane
will ensure highest resolution and authority even with complex
signals at extreme sound pressure levels.
BASSHORN
The high end myth
CONSTRUCTION
MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION
The enclosure of the Basshorn is made from 40 mm laminated
wood material. The wavelike horn flare is machined by Avantgarde
Acoustic™ from multilayer sandwich material and vacuum formed
in an elaborate strain hardening process.
The rounded shape and further internal reinforcing stabilizers
reduce standing waves and ensure a rigid and non-vibrant
enclosure of the Basshorn.
BASSHORN
The high end myth
VENEERS
WOODEN VENEERS FOR THE BASSHORN
Flower Birdseye Maple
Hanami Lucent Cherrywood
Each Basshorn is individually manufactured to customer
specifications. The wooden parts of the enclosure are available in a
variety of different wooden veneers. Besides the standard
Avantgarde Acoustic™ veneers - Flower Birdseye Maple, Hanami
Lucent Cherrywood, Tianshan Mystic Walnut and Jacaranda Aura
Rosewood - multiple other wooden veneers are available upon
request. All wooden surfaces have an elegant silky matte finish.
The wavelike horn flare of the Basshorn has an elegant stainless
steel finish.
Tianshan Mystic Walnut
Jacaranda Aura Rosewood
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM DATA
Frequency response satellite
subwoofer
Power capacity
Sensitivity (1 Watt / 1 m)
Crossover frequencies
Nominale Impedance
Recommended amplification
Recommended room size
CDC (Controlled Dispersion Characteristic)
CPC crossover (patent pend.)
HORN
Horn type
Horn material
Horn finish
Dispersion type
n/a
18 – 350 Hz
n/a, active
n/a, active
60 – 350 Hz
n/a, active
n/a, active
2
/ 250 ft
2
> 25 m
n/a
n/a
Expo–spherical horn
MDF–Alu compound
Aluminium finish
180 Grad
Horn mouth area low mid range
mid range
high range
Horn mouth diameter low mid range
mid range
high range
Horn length low mid range
mid range
high range
HORN DRIVERS
Diameter low mid range
mid range
high range
Magnet material low mid range
mid range
high range
SUBWOOFER
Power Output (RMS)
Power capacitance
Toroidal transformer
REAL TIME feedback control
ADRIC circuit (patent pend.)
Aktive frequency crossover
Subsonic filter, 3–positions
Automatic 12V remote On/Off
Smart Limiter
SoftStart circuit
2
/ 1318 in
2
0,850 m
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1.400 mm / 55 in
n/a
n/a
2 x 300 mm / 12 in
n/a
n/a
Neodym
n/a
n/a
2 x 250 Watts
120.000 µF
540 VA
Yes
Yes
variable 60 – 350 Hz
20 / 30 / 40 Hz
Yes
Yes
Yes
Driver diameter
Number of drivers per module
Magnet material
DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT
Dimensions width
depth
height (+/– 15 mm)
Weight
300 mm / 12 in
2
Neodym
1.025 mm / 40 in
1.060 mm / 42 in
740 mm / 29 in
89 kg / 196 lbs
purity
April 2010
performance
Avantgarde Acoustic GmbH
Nibelungenstraße 349
D-64686 Lautertal
Germany
Tel: +49.6254.306100
info@avantgarde-acoustic.de
www.avantgarde-acoustic.de
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