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Product Information

  DUO GROSSO
  Avantgarde > Horn Speaker (Floorstander)

The successful introduction of the DUO OMEGA model inspired the Avantgarce Acoustic engineers to develop a bigger subwoofer unit for the DUO OMEGA line of speakers, complementing the SUB225 standard subwoofers. The challenge was not only to offer improved bass and low midrange performance, but also to still meet the classical DUO OMEGA appearance. By incorporating the tweeter into the subwoofer cabinet, the resulting SUB231-G subwoofer achieves this goal perfectly, finally creating the DUO GROSSO model.

The DUO GROSSO mid–high horn section is entirely adopted from the DUO OMEGA, featuring high impedant OMEGA voice coils, VDE midrange diaphragm and CPC crossovers. The technology ustilized in the new SUB231-G subwoofer is based on Avantgarde Acoustic’s top-of-the-line subwoofer, the BASSHORN, featuring the same high-performance drivers and an adapted version of the BASSHORN power amplifier modules.

While being as easy to drive as the original DUO OMEGA speakers, the DUO GROSSO not only offers significantly improved bass and sub-bass performance (definition, resolution, sound pressure level), but also provides a significantly enhanced mid and high range performance – affecting every audiophile criteria, including sound staging and focussing. This DUO OMEGA sized speaker package will give you world class performance – last but not least down to the lowest notes.

The new DUO GROSSO version is also available as an upgrade kit for existing DUO OMEGA systems.

For more information and full specifications, please download this brochure (PDF).

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Customer's Installations of Avantgarde's speakers.

Technology

Drivers

Vastly benefitting from the experiences with the original DUO design, the OMEGA drivers of the GROSSO were perfectly customized for the DUO horns, thus eliminating the need for complex passive frequency filters in the signal path.

The M2-OMEGA midrange driver was specially developed for the DUO OMEGA midrange horn. The generously dimensioned magnetic structure of the 170 mm (7 in) cone, provides an extended efficiency as well as offering very high power handling at long excursions. This way the M2-OMEGA has a very low cut-off frequency of 170 hz which allows for an integration with the subwoofer without any passive crossovers.

The sound characteristics of the Kevlar diaphragm is optimized by a special coating, providing excellent resonance damping. This VDE (Velours Damping Effect) is achieved by microscopic fibres, covering the entire surface of the cone. A proprietary leight-weight 4” paper dome ensures that the soundwaves entering the midrange horn are in phase and cover the required extended bandwidth.

The CDC (Controlled Dispersion Characterietics) system features a controlled roll-off at 2,000 Hz and consequently allows the operation of the M2-OMEGA without any degrading filter components in the signal path.

The H2-OMEGA tweeter is a reduced sensitivity version of our reference TRIO OMEGA tweeter H3-OMEGA. This exceptional driver combines the smoothness of an electrostatic driver and the power of a strong 1 inch horn driver. The mere force of the 3 kg (6.5 lb) magnet on the voice coil guarantees 100% detail and precision even at low volume levels, and provides the GROSSO with compression-free sound reproduction even at extreme sound pressure levels.

With the spherical horn SH1801 the H2-OMEGA offers an ultra wide bandwidth down to 900 Hz. Due to the passive crossover point at 2,000 Hz we achieve a wonderful smooth sound with incredible headroom

More details and information about the principles of horn and driver design can be found under THEORY.

Subwoofer

The GROSSO is supplied with the active subwoofer SUB231-G, which is driven by two powerful 30 cm (12 inch) 600 watts (RMS) long-excursion drivers.

The integrated active electronics consists of 2 (1 per driver) powerful 250 watt amplifiers and an active frequency crossover. The active crossover allows the adjustment of a number of parameters, thus ensuring a very easy and fast installation of the system even in acoustically critical situations.

The SUB231-G is an actively controlled subwoofer. A real-time feedback loop not only eliminates deviations of the amp itself, but also the deviations of the drivers. As result the SUB231-G achieves flat frequency response down to 18 Hz!

The SUB231-G is fed via high power WBT speaker terminals for direct connection to integrated amps, power amplifiers or receivers or alternatively via XLR terminals. The signal take-off is not only at high impedance, but is also balanced and transformer coupled. This floats the subwoofer ground, avoiding hum loops and eases connection to balanced and bridged amplifier designs.

The enclosure of the SUB231-G is constructed from 1.2" MDF (30mm). Designed with a centrally located reinforcing stabilizer, the box construction is very rigid, avoiding resonances.

Further technical details of the SUB231 can be downloaded in the SERVICE section of this website.

Mechanical construction

The midrange is mounted into circular housing tubes. A three pillar steel-tube frame is used to support the midrange horn with chrome screws on lateral fixtures. Rubber elements between frame rails and subwoofer enclosure provide for efficient vibration control.

The tweeter unit occupies a specially designed sealed enclosure in the top part of the subwoofer. The subwoofer is equipped with four M8 inserts, convenient for padded feet or spikes.

Finishes

The standard version of the GROSSO comes with various metallic lacquer finishes for the horns. The circular housing tubes and the three pillar steel tube frame is powder coated in elegant black. The rear-covers and the subwoofer enclosure are coated in high quality NEXTEL finish. Special designs are available upon request.

For more information about this product, please visit the manufacturer's website.

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