Very nice to have your question … I hesitate to post too much because sometimes only feedback I receive are to ‘be quiet’ and really have no idea how many actually look in here.
Some details on the back plate:
1st – remember its not a replacement, it is an option.
Exceptionally convenient for export to other countries which require regulation/certification for products with AC input (cost/headache) also hopefully a very easy way to introduce to first-timers as they don’t have the knee jerk reaction when they see ‘another electrical device’ to deal with. And then also don’t need a separate power module for different voltages around the world so simplifies production. And of course easy to place in any room without a bunch more extension chords.
Roger has devised a way to power membrane from the amplifier’s audio signal – initializing the charge to membrane when 1 watt of power enters back plate thru audio cables. It takes only 1/8 of a watt to charge. How much the panel needs is carefully controlled by the amount of power music is demanding and being pushed by the amplifier to panel using a very small percentage of that wattage. We will have both original and new back plates at the show so easily compared.