In theory, loudspeakers should feature massless drivers suspended in open space, free from boxes, magnet structures, or frameworks. Unfortunately, most conventional box speakers fall short of this ideal. The drivers in these speakers are typically heavy, and the rear sound wave is trapped within the enclosure or magnet structure. While a box can smooth out the frequency response, it inevitably alters the sound's character. In the worst cases, the music feels confined - coming from within a box, sounding constricted and unnatural. Magneplanar speakers, on the other hand, approach the ideal. With a lightweight diaphragm that is not enclosed, the rear sound wave is free to radiate into space. Without the constraints of a box, Magneplanars create a sound that feels as if you are right there, experiencing the performance firsthand.
Uniform Drive. The conventional dynamic driver struggles with a dual requirement– The mass should be low so the driver can accurately follow the electrical signal. But, the driver should be very stiff so all of the driver moves together. Zero mass and infinite stiffness are mutually exclusive. This dual requirement has been the driving force behind innovative solutions to address these problems. Ribbon and electrostatic speakers side-step this problem by eliminating the need for stiffness. The ribbon or thin film is driven over its entire area. Stiffness is irrelevant so the designer can focus on low mass.
MASS - Electrons from an amplifier move at the speed of light. If only loudspeakers could move with the same speed. Thin-film loudspeakers are as close to zero mass as is physically possible. Even a subtle “breath of air” from the amplifier will cause the low-mass ribbon to respond. Magneplanars use ultra-low mass, thin film ribbon drivers. For example, the Magneplanar true ribbon element is 1/10 the thickness of a human hair. It is so light that when a piece of it is dropped from a height of 6 feet it takes an average of 5 seconds for it to reach the floor. Conventional speaker designs prohibit such low mass. The force from the amplifier would destroy conventional speakers made of such light materials. Only by driving the transducer over its entire area can materials of such low mass be used.
True Ribbon Tweeter: The finest in the world! The Magneplanar direct-coupled ribbon tweeter has no equal in high-frequency sound reproduction. With its 360-degree radiating dipole design, the Magneplanar ribbon tweeter is found in our award-winning 3.7i and 20.7 speakers. At 1/10th the thickness of a human hair, the Magneplanar ribbon tweeter sets a standard for high resolution. You’ll find yourself hearing details in the music you never heard before.
