Analog DomainArgus LoudspeakersusedAnalog Domain Argus Loudspeakers (99 db efficient!)Introducing to North America, the latest brainchild from Angel Despotov, the Analog Domain Argus Loudspeakers. Blue Smoke Entertainment Systems has been a demonstrating Analog Domain retailer in D...48500.00

Analog Domain Argus Loudspeakers (99 db efficient!)

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rlapporte 

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Ships fromDeerfield, IL, 60015
Ships toUnited States
Package dimensionsunspecified
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Introducing to North America, the latest brainchild from Angel Despotov, the Analog Domain Argus Loudspeakers.  Blue Smoke Entertainment Systems has been a demonstrating Analog Domain retailer in Deerfield Illinois for three years, and it has been with bated breath that we have anticipated the arrival of this unique and highly dynamic loudspeaker.  
Analog Domain is best known for their ultra-performance mono amplifiers, including their statement Apollo model rated a 4,000 watts into 8 ohms!  More recently they have become known for their more affordable M75 series of amplifiers and their SOTA-challenging DAC-1, on display at Blue Smoke.
  
Based on three years of conversations with Angel, we knew that we shared a common vision of the ideal loudspeaker.  Simply put, the goals was to create an audiophile-level loudspeaker, with the coherence and musicality we've come to expect from a world-class speaker, merged with the efficiency and dynamic capability of a horn system.  Equally important was to deliver this performance without a $100k price tag. It's been worth the wait!
Read more about the development of this revolutionary loudspeaker on the Analog Domain website, or see Angel's white paper below: 
 
https://analogdomain.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33Itemid=33
 
Contact Blue Smoke Entertainment Systems to schedule an audition or just to find out more about this exciting loudspeaker.   You won't be disappointed.     
(847) 977-0220   
[email protected]    
www.bluesmokesystems.com 
          
Building the Argus loudspeaker
Let me start by clarifying why I decided to build this loudspeaker. The Analog Domain brand (AD for brevity
below) is well known for its state of the art electronics. In fact, I would never build a “me too” product just for
the sake of having it in the portfolio. Every single one of AD’s products is a leader in its class, bringing superior
performance based on radically better technology than what can be found in the “mainstream”. Period.
Obviously, in my work I need a set of true reference, no compromise loudspeakers, that would reveal every
little detail in the music played. Looking at what the market had to offer was saddening – generally mediocre
performance at premium prices, most of the cost going into cabinet appearance and “brand value”, with a
handful of exceptions. I had to choose between sound quality and output capacity.
Few people know that before establishing the AD brand, I was building all kinds of custom systems – monitors
for recording studios, high output systems for clubs and PA, etc. For over 25 years…
So, there you have it. Since there was nothing on the market that would satisfy all my requirements, the only
way ahead was to roll up my sleeves and build one. I do realize that adding a loudspeaker to the AD portfolio
will discourage many potential partners, as they now see me as a competitor, but so what? I’m not in this
business to please anyone else except my customers. Dear “speaker guys”, here’s a real reference for all you
to measure up to and exceed. Good luck!
Now to the details. Following is a no-nonsense description of the Argus.
Driver selection
All drivers are from “pro audio” manufacturers. Why? For a number of reasons:
- Consistent high performance;
- Many years of experience;
- Superior reliability.
This is the most important component.
The midrange driver is from the highly
respected pro-audio manufacturer 18
Sound.
It has the highest sensitivity (102dB/W),
the lowest distortion, a very natural
timbre and a fantastic power rating of
180W AES, 480W peak. It is built for true
high performance.
The absence of resonant peaks and an
extended frequency response allows me
to tailor the crossover points for optimal
power loading and matching with the
other drivers to use their natural roll off,
thus achieving a steeper slope.
Tweeter: an outstanding air motion
transformer type from Beyma. Again,
a pro-audio manufacturer. This
specific driver has a number of
advantages: no inductance, high
sensitivity 101dB/W (with our
custom waveguide) and a flat
frequency response beyond 20 kHz.
Power handling is 150W, which is
about a decade more than it will
have to handle in the system.
AMT (or HEIL) drivers have superior
performance over dome tweeters.
The effective surface of this specific
model is about two magnitudes
(100x) higher than a 1” dome
tweeter. The large area ensures
better coupling with air and extremely low distortion, even at high volume. They are free of “breakup mode”
by design.
All this amounts to a tweeter that has no coloration, produces fast, accurate transients and truthfully renders
the tone of instruments, especially obvious with percussion. Furthermore, there is no artificial sibilance, as in
dome tweeters, regardless how or from what materials they are made.
A custom waveguide enhances the sensitivity, yet is free from the nasty “honking” of a typical horn. It was
revised and optimized several times over the past two years to achieve the perfect result.
Woofers: a pair of 12” long throw, high output woofers provide the low end foundation. Again, made by BMS,
a pro-audio manufacturer, with some customization to my requirements.
What makes this woofer special is
the extremely low distortion, even
at high playback levels. Two units
operating in parallel achieve an
effective sensitivity of 99dB at
2.83V input. This is an excellent
match with the other drivers in the
system.
The smart design ensures high
power handling with very low
compression, resulting in fast
transients for a tonally accurate
bass free of any bloating, smearing
or boominess. Bass is rendered
with tonal and amplitude accuracy.
The crossover
Think twice before commenting on my choice components. Yes, I am aware of all the junk science peddled by
“high end audio component” manufacturers, however none of them have succeeded in convincing me in the
“magical” properties of their products, nor have they produced any objective data to support their claims.
If, on the other hand, one wants the crossover to be built from components of a certain brand, feel free to ask
for it. It’s your money and if that makes you happy – do it!
There is no “one size fits all” when voicing of a speaker is concerned. As no two rooms are the same, some
control of the frequency response is desirable. Subtle level changes have a very noticeable effect on the
overall tonal balance as they affect several octaves. Controls are provided on the rear panel of the Argus to
allow adjustment the tonal balance to the room acoustics and personal preference.
Rotary switches with clear marking provide the user with the ability to adjust the level of the midrange and
tweeter, in five steps covering -1 dB to +1 dB each, relative to the flat response.
All heat-producing components of the crossover assembly are located in the top half of the PCB so as not to
heat up any other components when playing really loud, especially important for the inductors. Proper resistor
power ratings ensure safe operation when the Argus is driven with consistently high power. Inductors are
positioned as to eliminate mutual interference and interaction with the metal plate.
The custom gold plated 5-way binding posts attach directly to the board. They may look familiar, as do all car
tires, yet the similarities end there. Bridges are provided to uncouple the bass from the mid/high filters if one
wishes to do bi-wiring or bi-amping. Will this provide any advantages? Depends on what electronics one uses.
The crossover assembly is mounted directly over the binding posts on a thick metal plate to eliminate any
potential resonances. It is recessed so that the binding posts do not protrude from the rear of the cabinet.
The cabinet: thick 21mm birch plywood forms the body of the cabinet. Front and back panels are double
thickness, 42mm. Multiple braces ensure rigidity and prevent the cabinet from resonating. The corners are
custom aluminum extrusions that add stiffness and ensure dimensional accuracy of the assembly.
The body assembly locks together with perfect precision. It is so strong and rigid by design that one can jump
on it even before it’s glued together. I actually did.. 
The internal bracing ensures perfect alignment of the assembly on all three axes. Especially important is the
brace located between the woofers. It couples the front and back panels as
well as the side walls to eliminate any resonances.
The cabinet bottom is a thick aluminum plate to which the foot assembly
attaches. Ports are downward firing to provide more freedom of placement.
Locking castors are installed prior to shipping, to allow easy unpacking and
moving about of the speakers in search of their perfect location. Once the
speakers are set in the right spot, the castors can be replaced with the
provided adjustable feet.
The top plate is a grey glass mirror. One’s spouse may want to place
her favorite flower pot on top, and she’s welcome to do so, as long as
this tips the WAF in the desired direction.
The drivers, being “pro audio” are protected from the elements,
although I wouldn’t recommend hosing the Argus to keep it clean.
Occasional dusting or wiping with a damp cloth would be sufficient.
Common window cleaner produces excellent results. Avoid strong
solvents like acetone.
Finishing: the standard options are Titanium or Black
Packaging: the Argus is shipped in custom flight cases on pallets to ensure they arrive in perfect condition. Two
persons are required for unpacking. Once on its feet, moving the speaker around is easy.
Some final words
The Argus is a “Mastering reference” class loudspeaker that has the ability to accurately reproduce all genres
of music up to the live sound level of the respective instruments. It has no preference for a particular genre. Its
response covers the full range of human hearing, both with respect to frequency, as well as sound volume. The
high power handling ensures lack of compression when playing at live sound levels.
It is hand built from premium components, with meticulous attention to detail at every step of the process.
The Argus is definitely enabling my dream come true – to be able to hit the Play button and be magically
transported in time and space to the place where the recording took place, and to experience it in its full glory.
Yours sincerely,
Angel
Technical specifications
Sensitivity .............................................................................................….… 99 dB @2.83 V
Frequency range (+/-2 dB) ............................................................................25Hz – 20 kHz
Rated impedance ...............................................………….…….………..……………. 4 ohm
Minimum impedance ................................................................................................ 3.5 ohm Rated power, AES ....................................…..........................…............................... 1000 W
Peak power handling ..............................................................…............................... 2000 W
Recommended amplifier power .............................................…....................... 10 W – 2 kW
Dimensions .................................................................................140 * 44 * 44 cms with feet
Weight ..................................................................................…..……………................75 kg

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