Posted by Duke on November 02, 2002 at 00:04:45:
Friday I was given permission to "leak" a bit of information about a new speaker Sound Lab plans to introduce soon.
The new speaker will only go down to 80 Hz, but will retain the 90-degree radiation pattern and will gain 6 dB in efficiency as compared to the M-1/A-1/U-1's. Price will be in the ballpark of half that of the M-1's. The idea is for the customer to supply the subwoofer of his choice, though Sound Lab might offer an optional conventional sub to go with the panels.
This is very exciting to me. For some time now I've been suggesting off and on to Roger that there was a market for a wide-pattern panel designed to be used with a sub. The possibilities are enormous - this new Sound Lab panel can fit into smaller rooms and budgets, yet will have greater efficiency and headroom. Of course a full-range electrostatic panel will still offer better coherence and pitch definition in the bottom end, but this new panel will enable Sound Lab to compete in situations where the large, low-efficiency panels don't meet the customer's requirements.
I was thinking of using a pair of Buggtussel Tegmentum subs with these panels. The Tegmentum is a front-firing transmission line sub that goes down to 16 Hz, and has an excellent crossover/equalizer/amp.
Another intriguing possibility is to use homebrew dipole subs, perhaps a la Siegfried Linkwitz. Dipole subs would blend even better with the panels, though they wouldn't go as deep.
Dimensions of the radiating surface will be 48 inches tall by 20 inches wide, and the bottom of the diaphragm will start about two feet off the ground. I think the idea will be to place a subwoofer behind each panel, so the area below the 'stat diaphragm will be well ventilated. Roll-off below 80 Hz will be assisted by a passive network, but I don't know the details of it. The idea will be to just add a sub with a suitable low-pass filter, adjust the level and you're all set.