Emerald Physics CS2

[gus6464]

I came across these speakers and I find their design implementation interesting. The speakers use an active crossover handled by a Behringer DCX2496 (comes included with speakers). They also require bi-amplification. They are an open baffle design with two 15" drivers for the mid/low end and a tweeter design which I don't fully understand. I figure this speaker probably sounds very good as it's design does not need to worry about cabinet vibrations and their FR to completely tweaked by the active DSP crossover.

Specs
http://www.emeraldphysics.com/specs.htm

http://www.emeraldphysics.com/images/intro_copy.gif

[engtaz]

Like with all speakers, listen first to find out how well they sound to you. If it's a 10k per speaker and it sounds flat to you then why buy. Sorry for the rant. Interesting design.

engtaz

[Stormwulf]

Trying to get you some more info on the Emerald Physics, will not let me post URL.... Going to try again after this post :)

[Stormwulf]

There is a person over at Polk Audio forums that has these, and is where I first encountered them myself. I have been really interested in checking these out. Underwood HiFi is an Emerald Physics dealer and the cost is roughly $3500.00

Link to Polk Audio System Showcase: www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=72663

Link to Underwood HiFi products page: www.underwoodhifi.com/retail.html#Anchor-Emeral-39203

Edit: Ok, got links to work now.

[sleepysurf]

I heard them at RMAF. They are incredible, especially for the $$$. Lots of buzz and favorable reviews about them on various audio forums, particularly AudioCircle.

[gus6464]

I heard them at RMAF. They are incredible, especially for the $$$. Lots of buzz and favorable reviews about them on various audio forums, particularly AudioCircle.

Yeah a lot of people at audio circle ordered the speakers right after hearing them at RMAF. I am seriously thinking of going this year so I can check out the Emerald Physics, Salk, Selah, and other manufacturers I have been been wondering about that are pretty much impossible to audition.

[Spkr_Bldr]

For anybody planning on making a serious audio investment, the RMAF is maybe the best investment you could make. You'll get incredible exposure to products, and should leave the weekend really knowing what it is you want. If you do come, give me a shout in room 9016 :)

The CS2's are a very good sounding speaker. What they do best is a sense of space and openness at low-mid volumes. They're also very delicate and musical at lower volumes. But my primary complaint with them is they can take on a bit of hash, some grain at higher volumes and on more complex material. They're also not the most detailed or articulate speaker in their price range.

But they are definately a contender in their price range, not perfect but for the right person could be something you could live with for a long long time.

[WmAx]

I figure this speaker probably sounds very good as it's design does not need to worry about cabinet vibrations and their FR to completely tweaked by the active DSP crossover.

It is not entirely true that it does not have to worry about cabinet vibrations. I suspect even the single baffle is probably a signficant radiation source, if not substantially dampened physically, or if the drivers are not mechanically decoupled from the baffle. Less of a radiation area as compared to standard closed cabinet, yes, but still not to be ignored if the highest quality sound is the objective. And in most cases, such technical details would be overlooked.

Also, the strong point of a speaker with highly directional upper mid and treble band, such as this speaker would exhibit most likely with that large waveguide, is that it can be used in rooms with otherwise poor acoustics and/or in rooms where people are unwilling to find ideal placement and use sufficient acoustical treatments and achieve higher sound quality as compared to typical dispersion patterns found on most speakers. In such environments, the purposely limited dispersion is beneficial.

-Chris