Audience's A3; new true full range loudspeaker.

**Mike Cason** · **06-05-09, 12:40 PM**

Ok Brent,

Voice Coil's May issue has a great article posted about the test results performed by Vance Dickason. It is a great report. Due to copyright issues, I'm not allowed to post it but we have paid for a copy and as soon as I get it, I'll post it here or provide a link for you.

**planet10** · **06-05-09, 02:40 PM**

Quote:

Mike Cason wrote:

Ok Brent,

Voice Coil's May issue has a great article posted about the test results performed by Vance Dickason. It is a great report. Due to copyright issues, I'm not allowed to post it but we have paid for a copy and as soon as I get it, I'll post it here or provide a link for you.

But it is within copyright to post extracts for educational purposes. And given the purpose of Voice Coil -- to get industry adverts into the hands of OEMs -- audioXpress might be persuaded to post a pdf in their articles section http://www.audioxpress.com/magsdirx/...enda/index.htm, but then they may also be planning to republish the review in aXp magazine.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...32#post1841232

dave

**Mike Cason** · **06-05-09, 02:46 PM**

Dave,

I've consulted with the owner of Audience early this morning and we don't want any issues, so our short delay in receiving our "paid for article" is worth the wait.

I've got 64 copyrighted photos of Elvis I took in Austin just before he died. I don't want anyone using or printing any of them for "educational purposes".

Thanks

**Sonnie** · **06-09-09, 11:18 PM**

Any word on the reviews?

**Mike Cason** · **06-10-09, 07:58 AM**

Hi Sonnie,

Your HT is looking great! You have a lot of hours in it now.

I'll check with Audience today and see if John has received it yet. He would normally get me that kind of information as soon as he receives it.

UPDATE: I've heard back from Audience and they are still working it up for us. As expected, I will be notified as soon as we get it. Thanks for your interest!

Mike

**Mike Cason** · **06-10-09, 04:41 PM**

We finally received the review from Voice Coil Magazine and Mr. Dickason this afternoon.

Here is a link to my website where you can view it.

http://www.speakerhobby.com/Voice-Coil.pdf

Thank you for your patience.

Mike

**dyohn** · **06-14-09, 01:56 PM**

After being alerted to these by Dan W. I purchased four and have been testing them and can verify that the published specs are perhaps a little conservative. They look like miniature subwoofers.

I am getting extension to 40Hz and nearly flat out to past 25KHz, and system sensitivity >90dbSPL at 1M. I'll post some pics of the little 2-driver 6 litre bookshelf units I built as well as some measurements as soon as I can. A very nice driver.

**Mike Cason** · **06-14-09, 02:49 PM**

Quote:

dyohn wrote:

After being alerted to these by Dan W. I purchased four and have been testing them and can verify that the published specs are perhaps a little conservative. They look like miniature subwoofers.

I am getting extension to 40Hz and nearly flat out to past 25KHz, and system sensitivity >90dbSPL at 1M. I'll post some pics of the little 2-driver 6 litre bookshelf units I built as well as some measurements as soon as I can. A very nice driver.

I've been anxious for the Voice Coil review by Vance to authenticate what I've been saying about these gems.

I just knew that after some of you guys started buying the A3s, you would see what a terrific driver these units really are.

Enjoy your project and "Let's see some pics!"

Mike

**dyohn** · **06-18-09, 02:00 PM**

I will post some pictures. I just have a set in a "test mule" plywood enclosure for now so I could see what these little guys could do, but I found that I like them and plan to build a set in real enclosures this summer. As I progress I'll document the build for anyone who cares to see it.

**Mike P.** · **06-18-09, 03:05 PM**

Quote:

As I progress I'll document the build for anyone who cares to see it.

Definitely. Looking forward to your build thread.

**Mike Cason** · **06-18-09, 07:35 PM**

Quote:

dyohn wrote:

I will post some pictures. I just have a set in a "test mule" plywood enclosure for now so I could see what these little guys could do, but I found that I like them and plan to build a set in real enclosures this summer. As I progress I'll document the build for anyone who cares to see it.

In my post #9, I had also built my test mule enclosures. I had actually planned to fine finish them and have a piano black finish if they turned out well, but after all the mods to the cabinets, it was time to start over. That's what this stuff is. Trial and more trial.

Two things to remember, these drivers love a handful of real wool for dampening per driver, and you can change your box cu. in. with blocks of styrefoam for testing purposes.

We're all looking forward to hearing more from you.

I've recently reduced the pricing on multiple driver orders.

Thanks for keeping us posted,
Mike

**Mike Cason** · **06-25-09, 08:10 AM**

Robert Harley is the Editor of The Perfect Vision, and a senior writer for The Absolute Sound. His more than 600 published articles on home-entertainment systems have helped many thousands of consumers get the best performance for their money.

Mr. Harley is one of the world's leading experts in field of consumer electronic technology. He has worked as a recording engineer, CD mastering engineer, and technical writer. Mr. Harley holds a degree in Recording Engineering, and has taught a college degree program in that field. He is a celebrated author who has published more than 600 articles on audio and home theater, including reviews of more than 350 products. His two books are considered reference works for the industry, with more than 100,000 copies in print in three languages. He has written or co-written several papers presented at international Audio Engineering Society conventions, covering topics as diverse as CD mastering technology and evaluating audio products through critical listening.

Here is the link to his article that he wrote after visiting John McDonald at his home and listening to the A3 drivers:

http://www.avguide.com/blog/the-audi...dream-realized

Mike

**Ricci** · **06-25-09, 04:43 PM**

Quote:

Mike Cason wrote:

Ok Brent,

Voice Coil's May issue has a great article posted about the test results performed by Vance Dickason. It is a great report. Due to copyright issues, I'm not allowed to post it but we have paid for a copy and as soon as I get it, I'll post it here or provide a link for you.

Cool. I'll give it a read later. Do you have a subscription Mike? I keep talking myself out of getting one.

**Mike Cason** · **06-25-09, 05:14 PM**

No I don't subscribe. I would like to and have tried to get the free subscriptions for audio dealers and oem builders, but I don't meet their requirements. I get enough info off the web for the time being.

Thanks,
Mike

**Mike Cason** · **07-05-09, 07:48 AM**

I've received an update from Audience on the release date for the different voice coil configuration for the A3 drivers.

From Mr. McDonald:
"We should have samples of the 4/8 ohm in a couple of weeks, then a few more weeks to make and ship, so I would guess about 6 – 8 weeks total."

Doing the math, that should put us in the September 1st date for these new drivers, give or take a week or so.

Mike

**jamikl** · **07-20-09, 02:37 AM**

I know somebody asked about using these in an open baffle setup and the reply was not very positive but how about if they are only to be used from somewhere between 200Hz and 600Hz upwards. Would two be OK or four in a + arrangement.
jamikl

**Mike Cason** · **07-20-09, 08:04 AM**

Quote:

jamikl wrote:

I know somebody asked about using these in an open baffle setup and the reply was not very positive but how about if they are only to be used from somewhere between 200Hz and 600Hz upwards. Would two be OK or four in a + arrangement.
jamikl

I'm not sure of your question with a "+ arrangement". Let me know how you intend to use them.
Thanks,
Mike

**Mike Cason** · **07-20-09, 06:00 PM**

We haven't used them in an open array set up yet. I spoke with Audience today and they plan on experimenting with 8 of them in an open array config.

I was told that if you cross them at your intended frequency of 200 to 600 and up, they should be fine. Mr. McDonald's final statement was "Since I have not experimented I cannot say for sure about 2 or 4, it is surely worth a try though." This would be an experimental project on your part and if they don't work as well as you would like, you could go sealed.

Thanks for asking.
Mike

**jamikl** · **07-20-09, 06:31 PM**

Re the + arrangement - I meant two mounted vertically as close together as possible and the other two making the arm, one each sid fitting into the curved shape between the vertical ones as close as possible and then rolling the two outer ones off before the frequency becomes too high to avoid combing. I think it also called a diamond pattern.
jamikl

**jamikl** · **07-20-09, 06:36 PM**

thanks for the quick reply , jamikl

**Mike Cason** · **07-20-09, 07:29 PM**

Quote:

jamikl wrote:

Re the + arrangement - I meant two mounted vertically as close together as possible and the other two making the arm, one each sid fitting into the curved shape between the vertical ones as close as possible and then rolling the two outer ones off before the frequency becomes too high to avoid combing. I think it also called a diamond pattern.
jamikl

I'm not quite understanding your total picture. If you could draw something out for me, scan it to a .PDF and send it as an attachment, email me at mike@speakerhobby.com, I could give you a more educated answer and can also pass it through our engineering department. We're always looking for different ways to use our drivers.

Thanks,
Mike

**Mike Cason** · **08-02-09, 08:42 AM**

Audience is always working on new designs for the A3 driver. They have done it again with their 8 + 8 loudspeaker and here is Mr. Vade Forrester's comment in the Soundstage.com article:

We are very pleased to announce the first full review of the Audience ClairAudient Line Source Array loudspeakers by Vade Forrester in SoundStage.com. Following is Vade Forrester's closing statement:
"I've heard a number of speakers that go for six digits a pair, and some that cost more than ten times the ClairAudients' price. But I can't think of a single speaker I've heard that has combined all the strengths of the ClairAudient LSA8+8 so spectacularly. It may well be the most neutral speaker I've ever heard, and it puts everything together to present memorable, moving, magnificent musical moments. Absolutely glorious, and an easy Reviewers' Choice."

His review can be found at:
http://www.soundstage.com/equipment/...ent_lsa8_8.htm

These drivers are so incredible that more loudspeakers are being released by Audience. In addition to their conventional line array of from 2 to 24 drivers per cabinet, they have now introduced the 2 + 2, 4 + 4, 8 + 8, & 16 +16 driver configurations; all crossover free!

If you want to build your own high end loudspeaker, I have plenty of the A3s in stock to fill your needs. Please visit my website and check out my pricing. I offer discounts for quantity sales.

Thank you,
Mike

**atledreier** · **08-02-09, 03:18 PM**

VERY interesting!

I've toyed with the idea of going DIY for a while now. I'm a noob at speaker building (only subwoofers) and the crossoverless design appeals to me.

The downside is that I have to sell my current (and very much loved) Dali Euphonia MS4 and CS4 to get the balance so I'd have no fallback.. Kinda scary.

The MS4 and CS4 is a dual 6,5" ported 2,5way system. I want more slam and midbass from my new system. The Dalis have sweet mids and highs with a big and effortless soundstage.

How many of these babies would I need for a good LCR system?

**Mike Cason** · **08-02-09, 04:21 PM**

atledreier,

I'm providing a link to show you what to expect using more or less drivers. The + series are let's say four drivers in front and four in back; and so on. Baffel step is eliminated and the bass is improved with this configuration, as well as higher efficiency and output. You will still want to have your sub. I am using four of the RLP-15s that you have used in your build and they are fantastic. I drive them fairly hard at times.

http://www.audience-av.com/loudspeakers/specs.php

You have quite a nice set of Dali speakers. Off the top of my head, I would say go the 8+8 for the L & R to get you close or better than what you already have; and the 4+4 for the center. The chart in the above link will give you the watts, dbs, and efficiency for our ClairAudience speakers using the different quantity and configuration of the drivers.

If you will send me a pm with your email address, I'll do some more homework to compare the Dali setup with what we would suggest. Our engineer will be in tomorrow and I would like a second opinion from him as well.

I appreciate your interest in our Audience A3 drivers.

Mike

**atledreier** · **08-02-09, 04:36 PM**

Would you go with a 4 driver vertical array for the center as well? How would you do a 4+4 for the center? It would be very close to the floor, located under my screen...

Also, I have plenty of 1st reflection damping on my side walls. would it be better to go with a 16 driver array on the sides or 8+8?

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