Dynamics and SPL Capability:
Up to 130dB on the Subwoofer as far as we tested.
There is no problems with SPL. The maximum I have had it turned up to was about 67 on my Pre/Pro. Everything at that point is shaking or our ears are starting to bleed & Distort. Running sweeps hurt and we are at our limit of how much we can tolerate. While running sweeps on the Subwoofer makes me question the structural integrity of the house and it’s actual “Dynamic Load” in acoustical terms
When it comes to Dynamics, this speaker presents something that is untouched compared to what I have listened to. It makes music come alive without any noticeable distortion. It is truly dynamic. Many people mistake dynamics for a boosted treble, but this was not that. Drums are produced instantly like it should with all its impact. The power is felt and its effect is sudden and can surprise you. It is very much like a concert or live production. Vocals are also presented with great dynamic detail especially from sopranos. Poorly recorded recording will still sound better, however, the difference is clearly made in front of you…. The source as it is. Playing a recording of thunder also demonstrate truly how powerful this speaker is, it feels like it places you right in the storm. This wasn’t just from the bass which the 18.2 handled with ease. But on the speaker side with the crackling and the background sounds. I believe this should be a reference point for dynamics.
Detail
The woofers are integrated very nicely with the Planars. I did not any distortion what so ever. The details produced is quite phenomenal, violin, piano and all its harmonics/resonance are produced with great detail. It sounds like a real piano. Anyone that has played a piano would know what I mean. Detail is the last thing you worry about. The subwoofer is capable to reproducing all the little details within it frequency range with very little distortion at a very high SPL.
Design
Many people worry about “flaws” of line arrays. There really is not if it is done right. A line array works very differently compared to your conventional speaker system. All of these have been solved by, Center to center mounting, Planars and Active Capabilities.
Time smearing is Inaudiable, reflections from walls often goes unnoticed and have significantly more delay compared to the distance between drivers.
A Line Array has the following Benefits:
1. Minimized vertical dispersion, this leads to better sound. Vertical dispersion is non-issue since it’s near ceiling height. Jump all you want but it will still sound the same
2. Very very low distortion from the raw surface area of drivers, they only need to work 1/12 as hard which is less distortion from each driver.
3. SPL
4. High Sensitivity especially if active.
5. Easy to drive.
6. High Power Handling
7. Dynamics
8. Ability to be taken further to CBT if needed for the application
9. Decreases 3dB instead of 6dB per doubling of the distance resulting in less SPL Loss. This depends on the design.
10. Frequency extension
Music Impressions
Lee Hyori – 10 Minute
Codec: MP3 - 320
SPL - Around 85 peak of 87
Sherbourn PT7030 - 45
This song has a nice beat with bass.
The bass was around 125hz and gave a nice hit at around 125. It sounded effortless and powerful. The start of the song left things heard rumbling a bit around the room effortlessly. The speaker reproduced with a sense of ease and would ask to be played louder. The 18.2 naturally dug deep when needed while not calling attention to itself all at the same time while sounding very clean. The beat was accompanied with other deeper bass frequencies that kept up with the arrays with ease. Very very tight bass, it just feels like you want to keep listening because of the way it reproduces this effortless dynamic bass. The beat seems to explode out of nowhere. As for the vocals they were very clear, natural and well balanced and reproduced effortlessly.
Davichi (다비치) - Vivid Summer Edition
Codec: Flac
04. 외사랑
PT7030 - 43
SPL - Around 83, PEAKS OF 87
Every detail in this song was picked up effortlessly. Drums in the beginning were reproduced in great detail. The backing music was detailed was maintained while accurately reproducing vocals along with vocals that were layered on top of the main singer. Effortless, both crystal clear.
Lee Soo Young – 이수영 - This Time
Codec: Flac
04. 우미공주
PT7030 - 44
Average SPL: 81
This song was reproduced in a way the entire vocal range with ease. The vibrato was very clearly heard both in the low frequency and high frequency range and you definitely hear the emotion in the music. The quiet parts of the song were also easily generated.
Unbreak My Heart (Regresa A Mi)
Codec: Flac
Il Divo
pt7030 - 37
Average SPL: 70-80ish avg around 73-75
The vocals were delicately reproduced for each of the members. In many of the parts you can hear the breath very clearly. There is also vibrato that is reproduced very nicely for each of the voices. The "soundstage" is very wide and sounds grand and powerful. While every tiny thing can be heard easily effortlessly. It is like sitting in a concert.
The guitars were reproduced nicely.
Lead With Your Heart
The Tenors
Codec: Flac
PT7030 - 37
SPL: 68-75
Turned down the volume for the family around the house.
The dynamic vocals were reproduced beautifully. Around 3:03 there is tiny sound effects that are reproduced very well that generally aren’t produced with the same dynamics and ease. It would sound very powerful and emotional when needed. The dynamics on the speaker is phenomenal which lead to this effect. It is very hard to do a review because all you want to do is really just listen.
Track: Fight
Codec: Flac - 48000
Bells and vocals are clear while the trumpets and it's harmonics in the background are clearly heard. Studio track for the Ali trailer.
TEARS Of The DRAGON (Re-prise)
Codec: flac
Powerful drums and a nice melody ties this song together. This speaker and sub reproduces all that with the chorus without losing detail and power. The drums at the start can also scare people if you have the incorrect volume.
Audiomachine - Final Retribution Drums
Nathan scared himself with this one. I scared myself next. I now use it scare everyone else that comes for a demo. Volume is kept below 65 in general or things will start to get scary.
澤野弘之 - Mobile Armor
Codec: Flac
This is a soundtrack, drums are very clear on both the large, heavier and lighter hits. The dynamics were very large and draws you into the music. The ease that the line array reproduces it is amazing. Trumpets were clearly reproduced clearly in the background. String instruments are delicately reproduced. When there was a piano, harmonics/resonance from the piano were clearly heard, an accurate reproduction of the piano. They did indeed sound very powerful.
The speaker overall is highly dynamic, Revealing, and very accurate to the source. They produce sound that is very much like the real thing. When it comes to movies dynamics, they are also accurately reproduced with precision; every detail was reproduced with ease showing no signs of coming anywhere close to stress. The dynamics are astonishing, enough were it can actually scare you. Sometimes you may question how much louder it can actually go when the sounds keep getting louder and louder and you find yourself throttling back. Detail comes out naturally and beautifully, the integration is truly flawless. The 18.2 working the bottom end reproduced music and movies flawlessly. It stayed tight while giving a dynamic hard hit when needed. The accuracy on the sub is quite rare. It is low 2nd Order distortion that help give a much more accurate reproduction of the source compared to many other subwoofers. It really is something that really need to be experienced to understand the difference. It is a very complete system. I am extremely happy with the performance and if I need any more I would definitely be going back to Funk Audio for my next purchase.
