Test Bench: The Bold North Audio BDT-2901 High-End Silk Dome Tweeter

For this edition of Test Bench, Vance Dickason characterizes the new BDT-2901 High-End Silk Dome Tweeter, from MISCO’s Bold North Audio Line. This is a high performance 29mm soft dome tweeter, designed to meet requests for a precision tweeter with a low crossover point, ideal for use in a two-way system paired with a 6.5” or 8” woofer. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, December 2020.

James Croft reviews two loudspeaker-related patents as a tribute to David John Graebener, who passed away on January 3, 2015. First James Croft reviews the planar-magnetic electro-acoustic transducer he patented together with Graebener, followed by a single-end planar magnetic speaker system, David’s key patent. These were the first and second of the Single-Ended, Neodymium planar magnetic transducer patents David Graebener was granted. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, March 2015.

This Test Bench article focuses on the Scan-Speak Ellipticor 21WE/4542T00 midrange woofer, an impressive looking driver. The motor design for the Ellipticor 21WE/4542T00 is again an AirCirc multi-magnet and patented SD design, using an elliptical two-layer voice coil wound with round copper wire on a titanium former. Motor parts include polished front and back plates for the neodymium magnets that incorporates a 12 mm diameter rear vent for additional cooling. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, October 2020.

Renowned high-end OEM manufacturer Wavecor continues to keep a focus on creativity and announced the results of its latest development efforts with three new drivers, all now in stock and ready for sampling. The new transducers comprise the WF275BD01 (4 ohm) and WF275BD02 (8 ohm) 10" mid/woofers in die cast frame, the TW022WA07/09 and TW022WA08/10 high-end tweeters, and the FR070WA05 70 mm aluminum-cone full-range driver with extended bass response.

Professional loudspeaker transducer company Lavoce Italiana have been keeping busy working on the development of a new series of impressive devices, steeping up on the performance metrics and features from previous lines. Lavoce has now announced its Next Generation neodymium 1.4" throat compression driver, the DN14.300T. A new driver that combines consistency with top performance and basically puts Lavoce on the map as a serious supplier in this category of HF units.

This Test Bench article addresses an interesting home audio tweeter from Creative Sound Solutions (CSS). The company sent Voice Coil its latest high-end tweeter, the LD25X, a special driver with a unique dual-gap patented XBL2 motor. CSS licenses the XBL2 technology from inventor Dan Wiggins for two of their woofers and for the LD25X tweeter. The XBL2 motor features a short voice coil traveling between two gaps, allowing for a higher Xmax than most conventional motors can provide. The LD25X tweeter features a 25mm silk dome diaphragm and flat silk surround, in a 73 mm diameter six screw cast-aluminum faceplate anodized semi-flat black. This article was originally published in Voice Coil, July 2020.

SB Audience, the new brand of professional transducers manufactured by Sinar Baja Electric (SBE) in Indonesia, is introducing a completely new range of compression drivers. The range starts off with two 65mm titanium diaphragm compression drivers, both with a 1.4" throat exit. The two new Rosso compression drivers are high performance designs, available at an attractive price, and are in stock now, and under way to distributors.

Sound quality, superior active noise cancellation (ANC) performance and excellent passive isolation are the key focus for the new three-model premium-performance ANC headphone range from Philips TV & Sound. The 2020 range will include two high-performance true wireless (TWS) in-ear earbuds and an over-ear ANC headphone. The T8505 & T5505 true wireless models will be available in October, and the H9505 over-ear model to be available in November 2020.

Unveiled officially at the CES 2020 show, the all-new Philips Fidelio X3 headphones will be finally shipping, with most online retailers announcing availability for end of August 2020. The Fidelio X3 headphones are a high-end, Hi-Res Audio certified design that is intended to please the most demanding music enthusiasts, while still keeping within an affordable price range. The Philips Fidelio X3 headphones will certainly impress with a combination of comfortable materials and build quality.

The Jensen N12K, a Vintage Neodymium 12", 100 watts speaker, is now in stock and available for purchase from CE Distribution. The N12K was previously only available in Fender Tone Master amps but is now available for purchase as a standalone speaker. CE Distribution is global supplier, shipping around the world, based out of Tempe, AZ and serving the new and vintage musical equipment parts requirements for the OEM and wholesale markets, proudly stocking over 10,000 items from vacuum tubes and electronic parts to speakers.