Model 1 Speakers
The Model 1 speaker system is a two or three way system comprised of the Model 1T and the Model 1B. The 1T is a two way MTM (midrange/tweeter/midrange) D'Appolito design. The 1B incorporates a single twelve inch driver. A lot of development time was spent using a DEQX electronic crossover to figure out optimal crossover points and slopes. The DEQX products, or other products like them, are an invaluable tool for speaker deveolpment in that they allow quick and easy changes to crossover configuration. Where changing a traditional passive crossover often requires new parts, which often need to be ordered, as well as the time to install the parts the DEQX allow changes to be done in minutes.
The 1T is a slot loaded cabinet and incorporates two six inch mid-bass drivers and a ribbon tweeter. The crossover is external to isolate it from vibration and eliminate microphonic coupling to the crossover components from the drivers. When operated full range the 1T delivers deep and well defined bass that will satisfy many users without the need for the 1B.
Adding the 1B to the 1T provides deeper bass and even more impact to the already impressive 1T. With an 80 Hz crossover between the 1B and 1T the 1T is relieved from delivering the most demanding bass frequency range resulting in higher power output capability in the range above 80 Hz. The 1B has significant power handling capacity (700 Watts RMS) and delivers more impact and deeper bass than the 1T on its own. Together, they can deliver startling dynamics across the entire audio frequency range.
One of the design goals for the Model 1 was the ability to reveal the subtle nuances that give you the chills while not sacrificing the ability to provide the punch and impact required to deliver the realism that can take you closer to the experience of live music. I believe this design goal has been achieved. Another design goal was honesty. My view is the audio system should reproduce the source material as it was recorded. On some recordings, this is not necessarily a good thing. On well recorded material it makes the listening experience what we as audiophiles search for. So, these are not warm, or harsh, or sterile, or anything else other than honest. For me, it's the only way to go.
Both the 1T and 1B have the provision to use either speakON connectors or the more standard in the audio world binding post. I've developed an appreciation for speakON connectors which provide the ability to change speakers or cables in seconds with no chance of shorting anything, like your power amplifier's output. Connections are reliable and secure with no chance of loosening up over time. While the input of the Model 1C crossover has both speakON and binding posts, the output to the 1T is speakON only, the cable from the crossover to the 1T is provided. Note that both the midrange and tweeter connections are available on the rear panel of the 1T if you want to use an electronic crossover instead of the provided passive crossover.
The driver in the 1B is a dual voice coil model, each voice coil being four Ohms. The driver can be driven by a single amplifier channel where it presents a nominal eight Ohm load. I have also made provisions for each voice coil to be driven by an amplifier channel to provide more control and higher output with lower power amplifiers. If the 1B is operated in dual channel mode the channels must be monaural, in other words both amplifier channels must be the exact same signal - they can not be stereo. You can achieve this with a Y cable on the input of the amplifier, some amplifiers have this capability built in.
My original vision for this speaker system was to have a typical full range speaker with a pair or two of binding posts to connect an amplifier up and away you go. During the development stage and in doing more research it became clear to me that a passive crossover for the 1B to the 1T was not the best way to go. It can be done, but I don't believe it's the best way to achieve the the best results. So, I decided to use an electronic line level crossover to do the job. This approach has two options: digital or analog. Personnally, my system is all digital so a digital crossover makes sense. However, if you're still spinning vinyl you'd likely prefer an analog crossover, which makes perfect sense. Why convert analog to digital and then back to analog if you have the option to keep the signal analog all the way through? I know you vinyl people agree with this, even if the records you're playing were from digital masters. All of this does not mean that a fully passive crossover for the 1B/1T won't happen. If there is demand for one I'll be happy to make it happen.
So based on using a line level crossover for the 1B/1T there are basically three possibilites. An off the shelf digital crossover, an off the shelf analog crossover, or the DR Audio Works X1 active line level crossover which isn't quite off the shelf just yet. At the time of writing this, a day or two before CAF, It looks unlikely that the X1 will be ready for audition at the show. However, it is up and operational now and just needs the finishing touches before being ready to audition after the show.
The speaker enclosures are fabricated out of a high grade MDF, the standard finish is paint. The 1T enclosure is one inch thick material with internal bracing to further reduce cabinet vibration and internal reflections. The 1B is fabricated out of three quarter inch thick material that has been doubled up on the driver side and the bottom. The one and half inch thick driver panel is braced to the opposite panel by four braces and the entire length of the port which starts over half way back on the top side of the cabinet and runs down the full height of the front and the full depth to the back.
I can go on, but in the end you need to hear these for yourself to decide if they are for you or not. These are made to order, assume it will take at least one month from the time you commit to the time they are ready to be picked up - it can easily be longer. Boxes or shipping crates are not included in the price but can be fabricated for you for an additional charge. The color can be pretty much whatever you like.
If you're interested in an audition, please contact me: dr@draudioworks.com.
A note about the specifications - please keep in mind that I do not have an array of expensive test equipment to provide precise measurements. Some specifications are taken from the driver specs, some are from measurements. Those marked with (*) are estimated and/or approximate.
Specifications - Model 1T:
Specifications - Model 1B: