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WHAT'S NEW
Newform Research Update - Aug 2006
Written by John MeyerThis long overdue update covers a great deal of ground. In addition, we will be issuing another update in September regarding the LineSource Reference Modular system, which is fairly well along in development.
1. Upgrades to the current models.
We’ve gone to a completely new configuration for the R630 and R645 bass enclosures.
These Version 3 (v3) model bass cabinets are now sealed and very extensively braced and damped. They are larger and much heavier than the ported cabinets they replace. See - cabinet construction
Given the proliferation of EQ capability and subwoofers in the consumer market, we decided to look at trading off some bottom end output for improved bass pitch definition and mid-bass transient response. And, of course, getting rid of one resonance (the port resonance) is never a bad idea.
But much to our surprise and delight, early testing of the new larger cabinets showed bottom end reach
and output level actually seemed to improve. So what the v3 models offer is not only cleaner and more
musical midbass but deeper and extremely well defined low bass. Also, as with most sealed vs ported
systems, they “hang together” better at higher volume levels.
Stereophile recently published an article on the reasons for superior perceived bottom end from sealed designs. Superior clarity of the fundamental due to the much flatter phase response of the sealed system was touted as the main reason.
If it looks like a lot of work goes into the cabinets, it is because they do take a large effort to build. We were able to “go overboard” on the cabinets because we now make them 100% in house. This is not what we had planned - we had wanted to use our CNC router just for prototyping - but one of the casualties of the disintegration of the North American manufacturing sector was our key supplier of wood parts. When faced with the prospect of making our own cabinets, we responded by including a huge number of “wish list” items that high volume cabinet makers simply could not deliver.
The cabinets are now acoustically superb inside and out as well as being good (for Newforms) to look at. The downside is they are now incredibly labour and shop time intensive to make. Given the time and complexity issues, it is now unlikely we could farm cabinet production out to any outside shop. Bottom line: a real step forward in loudspeaker cabinets but when we are out of stock, delivery times are going to be between 3 weeks and a month.
2. Montreal Show Report
Logistically the April, 2006 Montreal Show was the best we’ve ever done. Everything went perfectly. Acoustically, the rooms were quite decent but, inevitably, there were a few issues.
Most rooms were quite hard and although we did quite a bit to cut down the harshness, we could have done more. But who wants to pull the curtains on the Montreal Skyline on a beautiful afternoon? Also, the room definitely sounded better with the large TV armoire removed but the hotel asked us to take it back in. Being their first year of the show, they had not made allowance for all of the furniture exhibitors would prefer removed.
But all in all, the sound was quite good and 645 owners and reviewers familiar with the R645v2 were able to appreciate the improvement in the midbass and deep bass reach and pitch definition. The Dolan Audio amps served us very well in this regard.
The shows crowds were very good despite the fact that the usual Friday night mad crush did not develop. Maybe not a bad thing as it has often been TOO much. But on Saturday and Sunday, the crowds were more consistent than usual with standing room only most of the time in our room. People certainly liked both the sound and the cutaway of our new v3 cabinet!
Most other exhibitors were very happy with the show, the organizers and the quantity and the quality of the attendees. This should be the start of a long run at the Sheraton in Montreal.
On a personal note, I got to have lunch with Dr. Bruce Edgar, the only man on the planet capable of building a horn speaker whose sound I really like. We talked about ground penetrating radar, his field of expertise. Fascinating topic. Nice guy!
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