SOLO

Finally,
Convergence at the Millenium...

The pundits in the mainstream audio/video press have been forecasting the convergence of audio and video into a single medium. For years, this concept has been continually praised and promised. They told us that it'd be capable of moving us powerfully, whether the medium was film or music. At least the idea sounded appealing.

But the results have been anything but appealing. Sensitive music lovers have retreated back to their music rooms. Home theater/media rooms have become relegated to Sony Playstation for the kids, with an occasional foray into the room by the adults to view a film, or watch a special event on television.

But very few go into these rooms to listen to music. We found out that our 'home theater approved' speakers and electronics seemd to squeeze the life and soul out of our music. Plus, the 'approved' room treatment often made the room unpleasant even for conversations, so dead had the acoustics become. If the room won't support pleasant conversation, why do we think it'll sound natural on soundtracks, let alone music?

The convergence we were promised was only an illusion! Everywhere we've been, we've met music lovers who have a separate room to listen to music, apart from their home theater. Many built their music room AFTER their home theater.

And guess what? Most owners report that they spend over 75% of their leisure, entertainment-oriented time in their music rooms! And yet, very often the home theater was a much bigger investment. How can this situation be turned around?

Back to the Future

There was a time when music and sound at the local cinema was truly awe-inspiring. What kinds of speakers gave this thrilling effect? It was the great horn speakers of the day, from such companies as Altec-Lansing, James B. Lansing and a few others. If you're old enough to remember such a theater, you probably get goose bumps just thinking of the glorious experiences you had there.

Just as the eccentric professor in the film Back to the Future found a way to travel in time, we've stumbled across a way to bring back the great adventures in music and film. And for the first time ever, to make it happen in your home. It took us until the year 2001 to discover how, but convergence is finally possible! Here's how it happened...

Accidental Discovery

In the beginning, we were trying to decide about being the U.S. distributor for Avantgarde Acoustic Hornspeakers. First, we bought two sample pairs each of UNO, DUO and TRIO. After we had listened to them, we set up a apir of UNOs in Bill Nelson's dedicated listening room (Bill is Avantgarde-USA's CEO) to replace a loudspeaker system that had a retail value of over $100,000.

There was no doubt that the UNOs (at about $11K) were far more musically satisfying. It so happened that Bill also had a 'reference-quality' home theater, For convenience, we temporarily stored some of the extra Avantgardes in his home theater. And that's when we made the discovery...

As so often happens with serious home theaters and dedicated music rooms, Bill was spending nearly all of his time in the music room these days. But now, with the 'spare' Avantgardes blocking the way, the home theater wasn't even usable for the family.

Responding to pleas from the children, Bill decided to make the speakers we stored in his home theater actually provide the sound for the theater. After all, why not make use of our investment?

It was better than renting warehouse space while we were deliberating whether to go forward with the project. So we set about disconnecting his top of the line 'approved' system and replaced the speakers with various Avantgardes. And that's when we stumbled onto this amazing discovery...

Out of Body Experience

Naturally, a couple of perfectionists couldn't just hook it up and walk out. We wanted it to be RIGHT for the kids to use with their games! So we recalibrated the levels. We had replaced the monster 'approved amps' with some positively puny (by the standards of the A/V establishment) amps, so the levels were bound to be off. Of course it made sense not only to calibrate the levels, but to check out at least a disc or two.

I'll never forget what happened next. First up was a DVD of Geronimo that was sitting in the stack of DVDs. We were totally unprepared as the scene in the tent unfolded. The two soldiers are waiting for Geronimo to show up. Just two guys playing cards. No action, no excitement.

Suddenly, in that relatively hushed dialogue scene, it was as if we were transported physically into the tent, invisible voyeurs looking over their shoulders, hearing, sensing. We were IN THE SCENE. You could hear the wind flapping the corners of the tent, but not in a way that called attention to itself. The sounds were just presented so utterly effortlessly and naturally that even the most simple scenes were compelling.

The effects continued as we "checked out just one more scene" until we had watched the entire film. Then we randomly selected another DVD that was lying in the stack (Air Force One) and it happened again. Each time we were transported -- as if by magic -- INTO a scene, as if we were there. It wasn't so much about the big sound effects (which obviously were a slam-dunk for the Avantgardes), but what was happening in even the quiet sections that previously were OK, but now they were fascinating!

Guinea Pigs

Have you ever wondered if maybe you were kidding yourself? Over the next few days, Bill and I began to wonder. So we brought in family, friends and business associates - folks who'd watched films in this theater before. Each time; every person; no matter which film - the results were always the same. They were mesmerized! How could just changing from the A/V establishment's top 'approved' home theater system to a set of puny amps and horn speakers make such a phenomenal difference? And what did any of this have to do with setting up traditional 'two-channel' distribution to sell the phenomenal Avantgardes to music lovers?

Fateful Concert

What happened next must have been fate. We can't even take credit for it. Somebody asked "What about music video concerts?" We had been so knocked out with the magical effect of the Avantgardes for film soundtracks, and since we already had a fantastic Avantgarde music room, it hadn't occured to us to actually play music in the home theater!

The first concert we played was a Laserdisc, Paul Simon's Concert in Central Park. In out literature, we tell about how we first KNEW we had something special with these Avantgardes. Well, it happened with this disc...

A close business associate was visiting. This guy is your basic Type A personality. No real chance he'd "waste his time" listening to a stereo system. However, the idea of home theater appealed to him mightily. When we played the Paul Simon, this very proper guy got up and danced! That's when we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Avantgardes were in a different dimension from other high-end speakers.

As we began to entertain the idea of music reproduction in the home theater, we played a variety of concert videos, from Kathleen Battle to Fleetwood Mac. Then we tried Sessions at West 54th. Each was powerfully compelling, vastly beyond what we'd ever experienced in the most advanced 'approved' home theaters. Oh, my...

We were experiencing the promised -- but previously never delivered -- convergence of audio and video. It was so exciting that, even as we signed our distribution contract, we began to speak up loudly to Avantgarde in Germany for a product that could bring this same thrill to more music and film buffs.

Two babies could have been born...

Eighteen months later, after the SOLO was first conceived, we finally introduced it at the 2001 International CES show in Las Vegas. The development time was lengthy, since ours couldn't be another 'me too' home theater product. One thing we knew...

This baby had to be musical, not a stepchild

Although we wanted a true 'killer' home theater speaker, first it had to be every bit an Avantgarde from a musical standpoint. In fact, if it didn't perform with the same dynamic linearity, with the same timbral faithfulness as its olders brothers, how could it be incorporated seamlessly into systems where the UNOs, DUOs or TRIOs already resided?

Better than 'approved'

One of the primary requirements for home theater 'approved' front channel speakers is limited dispersion in the vertical plane. This is achieved through a beaming effect introduced with opposed mid/bass units vertically flanking a tweeter. As a device to restrict vertical dispersion, it's very successful.

Unfortunately, all of these designs require the listener to be precisly on-axis in the vertical plane. If you're above or below the plane, the response of the speaker deviates, and not in a good way. Listeners often describe the sound as being 'squeezed', or 'pushed'. Rarely is it described as 'effortless', or 'natural'.

One of the inherent advantages of all Avantgardes is their controlled dispersion. No special designs, such as opposed drivers, are necessary. The SOLO, with its concentric horn/driver array, offers all the advantages of controlled dispersion, plus extraordinarily smooth and uniform off-axis response. This means that the speakers don't squeeze, push or force the sound in a narrow plane. The result is effortless, uncolored reproduction, whether the listener is in the first row or in the second (or indeed if standing off to one side).

Avantgarde musical performance is now available in spaces where budget and space restrictions preclude larger models.

SOLO PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Coaxial spherical horn

The SOLO is a two-way bass reflex system, comprising a 12-inch bass unit (12C250) and a 1-inch compression driver (H1); both loaded by spherical horns. The H1 tweeter is concentrically mounted to the rear of the bass unit and fires through the center of the 4-inch voice coil of the 12C250 woofer, providing a single point source.

This coaxial design dramatically reduces phasing problems in the crossover region. The combination of coaxial driver configuration and perfectly round spherical horn loading provides a controlled and homogenous radiation pattern -- both in the horizontal and vertical axis -- and ensures unmatched image stability and neutrality even if the listener is seated off-axis.

Horn/phase plug concept

Usually, coaxial speakers use the membrane of the bass unit as the tweeter horn. In these designs, the tweeter is vibrating with each bass impulse, thus causing severe colorations. The SOLO goes on step beyond. Its H1 tweeter radiates into a fully extended 4-inch spherical high frequency horn, which at the same time serves as the phase plug for the 12C250 bass unit. This concept has two advantages:

First, the horn/phase plug assembly is one solid and rigid piece, up to 1.5 inches thick. This avoids unwanted resonances of the horn itself, resulting in a liquid and practically distortion-free treble, with no shifts in tonal character of the system.

Secondly, the phase plug extends the frequency response of the 12C250 bass unit and allows a very simple 1st order passive crossover. Due to this elegantly simple design, the SOLO is phase-coherent and very dynamic, with incredible resolution of fine details.

New composite materials and design

Our design goal was to get the SOLO to be as small as possible, as rigid as possible and as resonance-free as possible. This is achieved by three design criteria:

The enclosure and the horns of the SOLO are made of specially developed polyurethane composite. The mixture of its chemical constituents has been designed to optimize its acoustical properties. The rigid (not foamed) polyurethane has an extraordinarily compact and homogenous molecular structure, providing maximum mechanical strength and resonance damping attributes. Therefore we can even use the midrange horn as a structural part of the enclosure and significantly reduce the size of this fully horn-loaded system.

• Our VMT technique (varying material thickness), coupled with structural supports on the inside of the enclosure, makes it acoustically 'dead'.
  
  
• As the shape of the enclosure is round, coloration-producing standing waves are greatly reduced. As an extra benefit, the enclosure becomes physically very solid and robust.
  
  

Drivers

In the bass and midbass the SOLO is driven by the powerful 12C250 driver. Developed exclusively for Avantgarde, these 12" drivers are anything but simple 'off-the-shelf' mass-produced woofers. The unique design parameters of the 12C250 speak for themselves:

• In spite of the extreme rigidity and stability of the paper cone and its material structure, utilizing this design allowed us to further minimize the moving mass. The result - a musically significant step forward in hearing the subtleties of pitch and dynamics, with a new level of definition that allows the listeners to hear (and feel) deeper into the performance.
  
  
• The enormous 4" voice coil is absolutely oversized for a typical 12" driver. When you consider the massive 8" high-energy magnet, and over 19.1 lbs of clean magnet power, the message is clear: "Here I am the BOSS!" The incredible BL-force factor of the 12C250 with more than 20.7 Newton per ampere is absolutely unique for a long excursion driver of this kind. This powerful motor structure forces the cone to instantly follow the input signal, doing it with power and authority. The results are impressive - fast and dynamic, with excellent low frequency extension.
  

• The membrane of the 12C250 has an optimized suspension that allows for an extremely long and linear excursion (0.39") of the 4" voice coil in the symmetrical magnetic field. Even at large excursions, the driver will always be fully within the gap of the high-energy magnet and its pole structure. The advantage of this design is its exceptional lack of dynamic compression even at deep frequencies and very high levels.
  
  
• The 12" driver is rated at 250 watts RMS and 400 watts peak. This power rating is combined with a very high sensitivity of 97.0dB (2.83V/1m). This extraordinary efficiency matches seamlessly with the spherical horns for dynamics and clarity.
  
  
• H1 is our high-frequency tweeter, first seen in the award-winning UNO 2.0. The H1 provides an extremely wide frequency range reaching down to 1kHz, making it possible to employ just two horn-loaded drivers to cover the full musical range.
  
  
• Actually based upon the same design principle of the legendary TRIO H3 tweeter, the H1 offers very low distortion and excellent transient characteristics. The over-dimensioned magnet structure of the tweeter , weighing 6.5 lbs, results in a sound pressure level of 102dB (1w/1m)! When you realize how loudly and cleanly this tweeter can play with its unmatched efficiency and high power rating, it's readily apparent that the SOLO sets a new standard in its class.
  
  

The Active Control Power Module PA201

The SOLO is a fully active speaker system. The built-in active amplifier equalizes the system in the low frequencies and ensures extended full-range speaker capabilities -- covering the entire frequency range from 30 to 20,000Hz -- in a surprisingly small and compact enclosure. Thus, unlike Avantgarde Acoustic's UNO, DUO and TRIO horn systems, the SOLO does not absolutely require the use of subwoofers (such as the SUB 225 used with the larger systems).

The active module PA201 is integrated in the rear of the speaker enclosure. The PA201 consists of an active speaker control, phase control circuitry and a powerful 250-watt amplifier.

The Active Speaker Control

The active module PA201 can be driven via high-power XLR speaker input terminals for direct connection to integrated amps (and power amplifiers or receivers) or alternatively via unbalanced or balanced inputs to preamplifiers. The connection is done via professional XLR terminals. XLR-to-RCA adapters are included to ease connection of non-balanced sources.

The active crossover allows the adjustments of a number of parameters thus ensuring a very easy and fast installation of the system even in acoustically critical situations.

The speaker volume can be adjusted by means of a potentiometer. This way it is easily possible to adjust speaker gain to different output voltages of connected amplifiers or preamplifiers and ensure that the system components work in their optimal operating range.

An active subsonic filter allows changing the lower cut-off frequency of the SOLO within a wide frequency band of 25 to 70Hz. In situations where an outboard subwoofer may be desired, it's easily possible to integrate different subwoofers to the SOLO horn speaker and adjust the system to your listening environment.

Users will discover that it is possible to operate the system with activated subsonic filter at very loud listening levels, especially with CDs containing over-enhanced bass signals and with rumble-inducing LPs. Filtering these undesirable low frequencies means that the SOLO won't be stressed with unwanted subsonic frequencies. Even though our horn speakers are famous for their effortless reproduction, the subsonic filter provides additional dynamic headroom! For the purists, a defeat switch bypasses this subsonic filter and shortens the signal path.

The frequency response of the SOLO can be adjusted to cope with different installation requirements. Bass response can be adjusted by a potentiometer, adjusting the system's low frequency extension when mounted to walls/ceilings or in corners. It furthermore enables the user to tailor the sound to his or her personal preferences. The treble response can be equalized from 'flat' to '+3dB'. This allows the user to compensate for the high frequency roll-off when the system is installed behind perforated home theater screens.

A ground lift switch enables the user to lift the ground, which can sometimes be a real life-saver in tracking down pesky ground loops in complicated audio/video systems.

The 250-watt Power Amplifier

The power amp of the PA201 module has a substantial 270VA transformer. The 20,000uF of power capacitors provide the necessary high-energy reserves for critical passages. The amp has a high damping factor for precise control of the drivers. An exclusive new Avantgarde Acoustic circuit design controls and aligns phase shifts and sensitivity of the drivers and passive crossover components.

To avoid noise when swithcing the amp on, the PA201 circuit is equipped with a Soft-Start automatic. This circuit gently ramps up the amp into operation, thereby avoiding the use of conventional relays with their noise and reliability issues.

Installation

The SOLO has a round shaped rear surface. This makes it possible to install the speaker very close into the corners of a room and still maintain full toe-in capapbilities (without touching the walls with the corners of the enclosure).

Optional mounting brackets are available for wall or ceiling mount in fixed installations. Optional stands are available for floor mount.

Finishes

The SOLO horns are available in all 6 Avantgarde automotive metallic lacquer coatings. The standard horn finish is Porsche Black Lacquer. Finished in elegantly neutral dark gray, the subwoofer enclosure is coated in high quality NEXTEL.

SOLO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

System Data

• Frequency response - 30 to 20,000Hz
• Power handling - 250 watts
• Sensitivity (1 watt / 1 meter) - > 97dB
• Crossover frequency - 2,000Hz
• Crossover slope - 6dB/octave
• Recommended room size - minimum 150 sq. ft.
• Horn diameter
  • Bass - 18.1 in
  • Tweeter - 3.9 in
• Horn length
  • Bass - 2.4 in
  • Tweeter - 2.4 in
• System Size
  • Width - 18.1 in
  • Depth - 17.3 in
  • Height - 18.1 in
  • Weight - 84 lbs
• Drivers
  • Bass/mid Driver
    • Nominal diameter - 11.8 in
    • Rated impedance - 8 ohm
    • Power capacity - 250 watt
    • Sensitivity (1w/1m) - 97dB
    • Voice coil diameter - 4.0 in
    • Magnetic assembly weight - 19.1 lbs
    • B/L factor - 20.7 N/A
    • Moving mass - 1.36 oz.
    • Max. excursion - +/- 0.195 in
    • Cone material - paper
    • Basket material - die-cast aluminum
    • Voice coil - edgewound copper
    • Overall diameter - 12.6 in
    • Depth - 7.2 in
    • Net weight - 23.7 lbs
  • Tweeter
    • Tweeter throat diameter - 1 in
    • Voice coil diameter - 1.75 in
    • Diaphragm diameter - 1.75 in
    • Nominal impedance - 16 ohms
    • Power capacity - 50 watts
    • Sensitivity - 102 dB
    • Frequency range - 800 to 20,000Hz
    • Magnetic assembly weight - 6.8 lbs
    • Flux density - 1.9T
    • B/L factor - 9.8 N/A
    • Diaphragm - aluminum
    • Voice coil - edgewound copper
    • Voice coil former - Kapton
    • Overall diameter - 5.7 in
    • Depth - 2.6 in
    • Net weight - 7.2 lbs
• Amplifier
  • 250-watt amplifier - integrated
  • 12 volt remote trigger power activation
  • Avantgarde soft-start turn on circuit
  • Active crossover - integrated
  • Low frequency filter - integrated
  • Bass EQ - integrated
  • Treble EQ - integrated
  • Groundlift switch - integrated
  • Speaker level input - integrated
  • Line level input - integrated

For 3-D images of the SOLO, click here.