Drivers
The core of the SOLO concept is its powerfull 12C250 coaxial driver.
Its outstanding technical parameters and the consequent optimisation
for the coaxial horn concept attributes to the revealing character
of the SOLO.
Usually, coaxial speakers use the membrane of the bass unit as
the tweeter horn. In these designs the tweeter horn is vibrating
with each bass impulse, thus causing severe colorations. The SOLO
goes one step beyond. Its H1-tweeter is mounted concentrically
on the backside of the 12C250 and radiates through the magnet pole
into a fully extended 4 inch high frequency horn.
The tweeter horn at the same time serves as a phase plug for the
12C250 bass unit. As a result one gets a liquid and practical distortion-free
response with no shifts in the tonal character of the system. Due
to its coaxial concept the SOLO is phase coherent and very dynamic
with an incredible resolution of fine details thus setting the
reference benchmark for the most convincing and involving Home
Theater sound systems.
The enormous 4" voice coil, the neutral cellulose membrane
and its powerful magnet structure forces the 12C250 cone to instantly
follow the input signal, doing it with power and authority. The
results are impressive - fast and dynamic, with low frequency extension
and precision par excellence. Its optimised suspension allows for
an extremely long excursion of the voice coil in the symmetrical
magnetic field.
H1 is a high-frequency tweeter providing an extremely wide frequency
range reaching down to 1 kHz. Based upon the same design principle
of the nearly "legendary" TRIO tweeter H3, the
H1 offers very low distortion and excellent transient characteristics.
Active power amp
The beautifully integrated aluminium heat sink at the rear of
the SOLO houses the electronics. The active module consists of
a flexible input section with frequency control unit, an active
frequency crossover and a optimised power amplifier - specially
matched to the coaxial driver and bass reflex enclosure.
The 250 watt class A/B amplifier equalizes the system in the low
frequencies and ensures extended full range speaker capabilities
- covering the entire frequency range from 30 to 20.000 Hz - in
a surprisingly small and compact enclosure. The power amp has a
substantial 270 VA transformer. The 20,000 uF of the power capacitors
provide the necessary high-energy reserves for critical passages.
The amp has a high damping factor for precise control of the drivers.
A newly designed circuitry controls and aligns phase shifts and
sensitivity of the drivers and passive crossover components. To
avoid noise when switching the amp on, the PA201 is equipped with
a Soft-Start automatic. This circuit gently powers the amp into
operation, thereby avoiding the use of conventional relays with
their reliability issues.
The SOLO can be driven via high power XLR speaker input terminals
for direct connection to integrated amps (and power amplifiers
or receivers) or alternatively via cinch or balanced inputs to
preamplifiers. The active crossover allows the adjustment of a
number of parameters. Variable input sensitivity and bass equalization,
adjustable subsonic filters and switchable high frequency response
ensuring a very easy and fast installation of the system even in
acoustically critical situations or behind perforated screens in
home theatre applications.
The SOLO can be remotely switched on/off using the 12V trigger
signal of AV amps. A ground lift switch enables the user to lift
the ground.
Mechanical Construction
The enclosure and the horns of the SOLO are made of specially
developed Polyurethan material. Its extraordinary compact and homogenous
molecular structure, providing maximum mechanical strength and
resonance damping attributes. Our VMT-technique (varying material
thickness) with additional structural supports in the inside and
the round shape of the body makes the enclosure acoustically "dead",
standing waves will not occur and the enclosure gets physically
very solid and robust.
The self-stabilizing joint assembly of horn, body and amplifier
module made it further possible to significantly reduce the size
of the SOLO. An optional powder coated aluminium stand and mounting
brackets (for wall or ceiling mount) are available.
Finishes
Avantgarde offers a free choice of colours for the horns, ranging
from the classic black high gloss finish of the standard version
to various, elegant, optional metallic lacquers. Finished in elegant
black, the SOLO enclosure is coated in high quality NEXTEL finish,
the amp module is powder coated in elegant grey. |
