 Audio Acoustics Sapphire Ti-C & SE model’s & their unique construction & VALUE features expanded:
Worlds First Unique “Double Float” mounted resonance Sapphire HF The hf unit is mounted on a resonance controlling membrane, which in turn is bonded to the sub front baffle; under this is a second resonance-controlling polymer. This for the first times let’s the hf unit function without interference or interacting to devastating effects with the loudspeaker cabinet itself. Further controlling any resonances from within the hf unit, self-allows it to function to new heights. Rudimentary yet completely overlooked to date. First production “Single Float” mounted Sapphire diaphragm with first titanium voice coil bass/midrange driver The unprecedented driver is mounted over a bonded single resonance membrane to the cabinet structure. This function further shows a driver is at best 20% of the system only. (All, other aspects addressed naturally i.e. Full Diamond or Sapphire as the diaphragm material with pure pistonic strict motion, this alone exclude 99.9% of transducers as ineffective. Executed without compromise. All materials used to not have a resonance break up frequency within the WHOLE bandwidth of the driver’s constructed material. Constraints completely overlooked to date.) Fundamentally paramount and completely unaccounted to date, is the need to allow the driver to be able to function without compromise or any resonances getting to the component itself thus removing the devastating effects and conditions for it to function in its environment without determent. When allowed to function properly, components take on a surprising new competence that was but overlooked. I.e. the more you can retrieve from each component by allowing it to function optimally, the more effective naturally it becomes to an amazing extents. “Resonance controlled” loudspeaker system with acknowledged attention to the first "Active cabinet" and selected system components. Once we have accepted that even if we produce a cabinet structure, be it out of any material in the periodic table; including Solid Diamond. This would address the hardness factor only that we require; yet we could still not remove the inherent mass of the material and the culprit of storing the energy. An uncontested fundamental flaw in all conventional cabinets to date however elaborate a material or well founded-period. So arguing over Mdf verses marine ply or Corrine over Carbon fiber etc., is a very moot point indeed in the big picture. As one is increasing hardness the mass factor is overlooked, hence creating a different sets of problem at the same time as improving one avenue. Well intended and if executed to the extreme relatively successful, agreed; but nonetheless a dated prehistoric approach. A good analogy comes to mind -one would need a substantial amount of protection with various materials to stop a raging bullet; though something as simple as Kevlar can do so with a limited micron thickness. In this form if one can isolate the objective the answers are easier to come to, though not necessarily easy to achieve. For us removing the vessel of energy storage itself. Down to minuscule micro resonances, has concluded that one has to find a vessel in which the energy that will unavoidably become present with any material’s with mass and with the incitement of the back wave is removed or never allowed to raise its ugly head. Simple. This we achieved with clever membranes and polymers composites. Controlling the incited energy is converted to heat and dissipated. Having this constant equilibrium gives us a cabinet that is a perfect platform for an active driver mounted and allowed to work in its own world (as above) the cabinet functions in its own plane and the Air compliance issues addressed separately. All working is perfect harmony. Three separate issue sharing one goal not three opposing forces working against each other. As far away from convention yes but a radical alternative achievement First unprecedented six-layer, double membrane Composite The cabinet comprises of 30mm material than there is a 2mm resonances controlling developed compound, adjacent to this is another 30 mm material and a second internal membrane bonded to this with a specific adhesives is 2mm of 316 stainless steel that is substantially bolted and adiseived on and finally a further internal membrane is applied on to these sections to handle air compliance issues. This is done unconventionally by the use of redirecting/absorbing and eliminating any two parallel points within the cabinet structure. No conventional foam/ garneted wool etc. is incorporated. 5 plates are used inside the Sapphire and 10 plates are used in the SE model. Advanced metallic a gel coat developed. An 18month program together with a world-renowned British lacquer specialist was undertaken to produce revolutionary new gel coat metallic a process horrendously labor intensive to do with unsurpassed and incomparable end results. Wow Resonance wired/ Resonance wired Our finding in controlling resonances is also applied to our reference cable system’s the “Wow Resonance” cable system is in turn are incorporated into the Sapphire Ti-C SE and the “Resonance” is used in the Sapphire Ti-C. Optimum vented airflow control port Air compliance issues were addressed with the combination of the internal membrane and the advanced airflow port system-no longer is the Air compliance within the cabinet a hindrance but a allied to work with. This can only happen when the cabinet is removed from the equation and is no longer a part of the problem. Custom wound unconventionally Specified nil tolerance values are achieved. Every component has been meticulously designed and developed from a clean sheet approach. Signal paths are kept as short as feasible. Nigh on nil Tolerances are achieved by producing specific <0.5% components in larger quantities and than selected down to specific requirement values only. Components are produced in the England the US, Germany, Sweden and Denmark only using expertise second to none for each specified field. Though costly and time consuming it guarantees component and end product with specific consistency to the reference tuned system’s requirements and musicality. Nano Pucks The nano puck eradicates resonance being fed into the loudspeaker system from the environment etc., and more importantly removes further the interaction between the function of the loudspeaker and its surroundings, as well as secondary isolation. Harmonizing to complete the loudspeaker chain in function and form, letting it simply work without resonance interference. Build Time wise here is a list to give a indication of the skilled labor involved: 140 hours + Finishing process- 16 gel coat’s and base coat preparation process, than very extensive sanding down to a fine finish prior to polishing 80-hour actual construction assembly time. 34 hours in the Ti-C & 68 hours in the SE in actual membrane panel’s construction Extensive CNC time, the elaborate cabinet structure involves substantial times on each individual panel part and complexity of cabinet and assembly. 30 hours in the application of membranes to various components cables ECT. Testing at each stage to build to our nigh on zero tolerance standard on All components 12 hours detailing time for finished items 4 hours Soak testing on completion. 2 hour careful creating. QC inspected and finalized by Shabir Bhatti on each item’s completion if not constructed by him. Approximately three hundred and sixty hours to produce. The finest specifically designed and crafted components from around the globe, than add in manufacture times and finest material costing on top. Compared to a conventional box and driver array that can be assembled in less than 3 hours from start to finish irrelevant of complexity by skilled personnel and it becomes apparent how much Value for money the audio acoustics products are in these perceived value times. | Review Comments “The construction was heroic, the finish quality spotless, and the technology impressive. And that sound! It was ethereal. Female vocals floated effortlessly between the speakers in a way that seemed completely detached from the system reproducing them”. “This was one rare case where a hideously expensive system sounded like a million bucks.” Jeff Fritz Soundstage Network Jan2006 “Audio Acoustics is a u.k-based builder of loudspeakers that, quite frankly, are as beautifully built as any loudspeaker that I have ever seen. I mean we are talking Tiffany jeweiry quality here folks.” Dave Thomas Editor Stereo Times Jan 2006 “The audio acoustics Sapphire Ti-C SE was a real find. These speakers are large, with sculptured glossy cabinets made from many layers, and sapphire drivers: two angled woofers and a tweeter .The price is enough to knock you out of your chair; some US 69k. But the sound! After 30 years of reviewing more loudspeakers than anyone on the planet Paul messenger wrote” as I know of no other speaker that is better able to cut through the confusion and lay bare the chericteristics, for good or ill, of the driving chain” - Sapphire Ti-C SE The Collection Ultimate hi fi Guide Special Edition June 2006 The speaker’s extraordinary cabinet finish was co developed with a British lacquer specialist. I can attest to its striking quality. The lacquer consists of 16 coats over “a substantial base coat,” sanded down and polished to a mirror finish. Audio Acoustics’ mirror –like shine must be seen in the flesh to be believed I know of no higher standard of finish currently available. Jeff Fritz Soundstage Network June 2006 “Of all the speakers that have come in for review, none have involved quite as much fanatical obsession as Shabir Bhatti’s Audio Acoustics Sapphires. Since these two – ways cost more than £45,000 per pair, there’s some justification in taking the quest for perfection to its logical conclusion.” “All that extraordinary enclosure engineering pays off in a wonderfully clean and clear bass register, repeatedly revealing previously unsuspected tonal subtleties on long familiar discs.” “the music was communicative and entertaining, with prodigious dynamic range and precise, delicate detailing. In a very real sense, the Ti-C SE manages to combine the effortless dynamic drama of a horn speaker with the transparency of a panel design and the sheer practicality of a regular direct radiator.” “there’s no disputing the delightful way this speaker communicates the essential musical content of even the most difficult examples from the rock reptoire. A fascinating evening was spent exploring late 1960’s vinyl from bands like the Velvet Underground and the Mothers of Invention: these groups were poorly served by the recording studios of the day, but this speakers exceptional clarity and freedom from overhang through the bass region, plus superb timing and wide dynamic range, made it easy to overlook the grunge and appreciate the remarkable original music that had been hiding in those grooves.” The Collection Ultimate hi fi Guide Special Edition June 2006 "Which brings me to the build quality: I’ve never seen finer. From the flawless finish to the precision cutouts for the drivers, the Sapphire exudes an uncommon quality. The paint, available in a variety of automotive-based colors such as Carbon Black and Mirabelle Maroon, is a "16-coat gel-suspension finish." If you’re used to the finest Rolexes or Rolls-Royces, the Sapphire’s fit’n’finish will not disappoint you in the least." "the Sapphire Ti-C SE is one of the best loudspeakers I’ve ever heard. Most notable was its ability to "disappear" as the source of the sound." "Imaging of the sort that can really suspend disbelief is successfully created when the reproduced sounds are in no way locatable by ear as emanating from the speakers, and the sizes of the images within the soundstage are properly scaled. This is not just a matter of vocals being center stage and a guitarist over to the left -- that’s the easy stuff. It’s also the way in which the performers inhabit the space around you -- not tethered to the speakers by sonic artifacts. I’ve never heard a pair of speakers cast a more continuous, believable soundstage, with more realistic images -- most needed in Mars, the Bringer of War -- than the Sapphire Ti-C SEs. In this respect, they are extraordinary instruments." "The shockingly continuous soundstage woven by the Sapphire Ti-C SEs was also due to the incredible coherence of its drive-units. Perhaps one key to the speaker’s organic nature is that it’s a two-way design -- not an overly complex beast. I’m not sure. What I’m certain of is that the acoustic integration of the speakers’ drivers, as heard at the listening position, was seamless. The outputs of the woofers and tweeter produced a wholeness that defied me to dissect it." "the Ti-C SE is almost solely about the finer points of musical expression." "I love this loudspeaker. It has qualities that are truly extraordinary. It painted my room with images as solid and as real as reproduced music can achieve. The extremely complex cabinet design creates the most silent of backgrounds for the music to emerge from. Its build and finish qualities are magnificent, and I’m a stickler for that stuff. I’ve enjoyed countless hours of music with the Sapphire Ti-C SEs, and will have awfully fond memories of them when they’re gone." "The Sapphire Ti-C SE is Bhatti’s vision. It is a grand if controversial vision, and I’ve immensely enjoyed sharing it for a short time." |
