Db-99 MkII High Sensitivity Speaker
 Compared to live music, most speaker systems sound extremely compressed, boxy, and artificial. This is due to widespread use of low efficiency drivers, high distortion components, and a flawed (highly directional) radiation pattern.
In the search for more realistic reproduction, Von Schweikert Audio has developed a high efficiency speaker system with very high sensitivity, high impedance, and extremely low distortion. Although our new Db-99 MkII is wildly successful with SET and low powered amps in general, our new speaker design is intended for use with any type of amplifier and with any type of source, whether music or video.
Indeed, high efficiency is extremely important to the reproduction of realistic dynamic range (the so-called "jump factor"). If you have ever stood next to a drummer playing a solo or listened to a trumpet playing up close, you all ready know how inadequate conventional speakers sound when attempting to convey the dynamics of a live event!
To correct the dynamic-range deficiencies of conventional speakers, VSA has utilized the following techniques:
- Increased driver efficiency/sensitivity by the use of very large magnets and more efficient transfer of energy throughout the design;
- Horn loading of the tweeter units;
- Re-amplification of the bass frequencies.
AMPLIFIED WOOFER SYSTEM
The "secret" of the Db-99 MkII's high efficiency is the power-boosted bass system. To enable a low wattage tube amp to drive the powerful 10" Super-Duty woofer, a 300-watt "power booster" acting as a secondary amplification stage is mounted at the rear of the speaker cabinet. This Class A/B solid-state amplifier mimics the tone, speed, and other characteristics of the SET amp, since the "booster" amp derives its signal from the SET amp's output section! For this reason, the Db-99 MkII sounds extremely coherent and musical, with absolutely no solid-state sound quality. A benefit of this design is that the bass can be adjusted to any room or system; old recordings that used to sound bass shy can now sound spectacular, since you have a bass volume control. Finally, you can have the bass power you have only dreamed of!
TRANSPARENCY FACTOR
For thrilling clarity and the tactile presence of live music, we have engineered an extremely high quality 7" midrange and 1" soft dome tweeter. Using live music as a reference source, we developed these drivers using new types of materials and the Low Distortion Motor system. In combination with low-loss crossover parts and a new type of circuit topology (our exclusive Global Axis Integration Network), the Db-99 MkII can replicate an amazing sound-field, great for home theater systems! If you love music, you need this speaker; every listening session will become an event not easily forgotten..
Db-99 MkII SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM TYPE: Three-way high- sensitivity speaker using a booster-stage solid- state amplified bass system, suitable for SET amps as well as larger tube and solid state amps of any power range. The high dynamic range enables both music and home theater sources to excel at realistic sound reproduction, with unbelievable slam, jump factor, and emotional connection to the music.
SENSITIVITY: 98 to 99 dB measured in room, using one watt at one meter.
IMPEDANCE: 8 ohms nominal; flat impedance curve ensures SET amplifier stability.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 21Hz to 25kHz +/- 3dB.
BASS SYSTEM: 10" Super-Duty woofer with thick carbon-impregnated paper cone, 2" high-temp voice coil, vented magnet design, and Low Distortion Motor. Triple-chambered transmission line enclosure with venturi-shaped rear firing port, critically damped with acoustic foam and Dacron.
BOOSTER AMPLIFIER: 300-watt solid-state secondary-stage amplifier using Class A/B bias, Hi-Current power supply with large transformer and filter capacitors, Auto-turn on feature and Bass Volume Control knob. Enables bass-to-room matching.
MIDRANGE DRIVER: 7" cast frame driver employing exotic cone made from carbon, Kevlar, and cellulose acetate pulp using a ceramic binder. The extremely light-weight cone is very rigid and externally damped, ensuring very high transparency exceeding electrostatic or ribbon drivers. A large edge-wound ribbon voice coil allows very high power handling with very fast transient speed. A 2kg motor assembly delivers a sensitivity of 100dB and low distortion. This incredible driver is mounted in a terminated transmission line enclosure that is critically damped using thick felt, acoustic foam, and Gradient Density stuffing to absorb the backwave and cavity resonance.
TWEETER: A European soft-dome tweeter is mounted in a 2" short wave-guide type horn and uses an ultra-light diaphragm and large Low Distortion Motor assembly for very high sensitivity. Ferro-fluid liquid cooling enables high power handling and smooth response.
AMBIENCE RETRIEVAL SYSTEM: A rear-firing mid/tweeter generates the correct depth found in the recording and is fed by a specialized ambience derivation circuit with control knob for adjustment.
POWER REQUIREMENTS: As little as 3 watts may be used, with full dynamics! 200 watts max.
DIMENSIONS: 43" High x 17" Deep x 8" Wide at top x 13" Wide at bottom.
WEIGHT: 115lbs, 130lbs packed in heavy duty hex crate for shipping.
WARRANTY: Ten years on drivers, cabinet; Three-years on amplifier.
AVAILABLE FINISHES: High gloss black, Corvette Millenium Yellow, Corvette Magnetic Red Metallic, and Platinum Silver paint finishes. Other paint finishes are available on custom order (no wood).
Price: $9,995.00/pr.
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