INTERESTING PROTOTYPES

Ribbon Loudspeakers by Newform Research.

We’ve spent some time developing a system using a dipole electrostatic midbass panel from 100 to 1500Hz, the R45 from 1500 up and dual or quad ScanSpeak 8545 bass modules from 100Hz down to below 35.

Some of you may remember Newforms investigation a few years back of the purchase of Apogee Acoustics the manufacturer of large classic Ribbon panel speakers. We backed away because we couldn’t design around the corrugated diaphragms which had to be maintained. These also changed their response in high heat and humidity conditions more than we could tolerate. The question of being able to support existing owners at a reasonable cost was another huge question.

Although we did not completely agree with Apogee’s design approach, we had intended to bring out a Final Apogee model that would provide the “magic” Apogee owners (and they are a passionate lot!) sought in a practical package that wouldn’t backtrack on Newform levels of practicality and reliability. Apogee was after all, one of the number of companies you can count on one hand that truly delivered breakthough sound quality for their era. The “Final Apogee” was conceptualized as stamping a fully modernized exclamation mark after the Apogee name.

The recent availability of reliable, high impedance, efficient electrostatic panels from Final Sound in the Netherlands was too much to ignore without seeing what might have been. So here is the prototype and yes, it has some great qualities. It is practical for users? Maybe. (3 way active xover required) Is it practical for us to make? Doubtful. But was a lot of fun making.

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Email: ribbons@newformresearch.com Tel: 705.835.0081