Products
Isobaric Small Red monitors
The Isobaric Small Reds are based on the Big Red 2s which themselves built on our learning from our top-of-the-range Tikandi loudspeakers. It uses a similar truncated pyramidal shaped cabinet as the Tikandi with its non-parallel sides to minimise internal reflections and triangular front baffle to minimise edge diffraction effects. And of course they are very solidly built to minimise cabinet resonances.
(For a larger image please click here).
To tailor the loudspeaker to only passive crossovers we had to make some changes to the drivers from those used in the Tikandis. The mid-range driver is a superb Seas Nextel 130mm unit which has more gentle cone break-up that does not intrude into the mid-range pass-band even with the gentler slopes of passive crossovers. We have retained the Tikandi's (and original Big Red's) ceramic-coated aluminium 25mm tweeter with its superb accuracy across the frequencies above 2.5 kHz.
Unlike the Big Red 2s (and Tikandis) the Isobaric Small Reds do not have a separate large bass module. Using Dr Rod's experience at Linn with the Sara, Isobarik and Keltik loudspeakers (see Legend Story) we have mounted two Scanspeak bass drivers in isobaric configuration to achieve deep bass in a relatively small single cabinet. It gives usable bass to well below 40 Hz that is also very tight, fast and detailed. However, because the bass drivers are in parallel they do require a reasonably powerful amplifier with good current capabilities to drive them to high sound levels.
Thus the Isobaric Small Reds cover the range of human hearing from deep bass to sparkling highs with very uniform fequency response to faithfully retain the tonal character of music and voices. And by minimising driver and cabinet resonances they have the fast, open natural sound that makes all Legend loudspeakers famous.
Here are some quotes from Ed Kramer's review of the Small Reds in Australian Hi-Fi July 2010:
"With the whole idea of an isobaric speaker making big bass from a small enclosure, that was the quality I first attempted to evaluate of course. I must say that the design mandate has been very successfully met......... At the tail end of the NuForce Reference 9SE V3, Ray Brown’s acoustic bass genius in The Real Blues was reproduced with thunderous power and very good clarity. By clarity I mean not just detail and resolution but a phenomenal level of harmonic and timbral accuracy that mimics the real instrument."
"What’s more—and this is somewhat paradoxical—certain notes had a jump factor and dynamic snap that was almost startling, the paradox being that the speaker’s overall presentation was entirely and expertly balanced. Those surprising skip-beat notes were actually on the recording and the Small Red was simply able to convey this without compression........... Give the Small Red complex rhythms and it complies with a very good level of resolution and separation. The German tweeter shows its mettle and all manner of cymbal and treble information is clearly and sweetly reproduced. If that ceramic driver is breaking up, it’s certainly well beyond the audible upper threshold."
"Of course such a high-quality tweeter and midrange combo should be very adept with the human voice and the Small Red did not disappoint. From Chris Jones to Patricia Barber and on to Janis Ian, the vocal range was never reproduced any other than very realistically and present. It always lacked harshness, grain and brightness. Vocals enjoyed a natural and almost spot-lit facsimile that was very appealing to motivate long listening sessions without fatigue of any kind."
"The Small Red was more than capable with large-scale works too, defiantly so for its size in fact........ the Small Red’s soundscape is generously large and deep with accurately placed images."
"Unlike an increasing number of contemporary speakers especially at the top end of the market, the Small Red is much more forgiving. Even though it can offer oodles of musical detail, it does so in a much more listenable manner that won’t have you reaching for the volume control or CD case. In this sonic buffet I point the finger at the chef’s wise selection of ingredients—Visaton tweeter and SEAS Nextel midrange—and skilful seasoning with an expertly executed crossover design."
"Konklusion: The Small Red can only be called small in physical stature. Its sound is anything but. If you’re after a compact speaker that can provide a much larger sonic picture than its size would suggest and deliver the sort of bass commonly associated with mid-size floorstanders, you’re looking at the Small Red. That it also excels in many other important sonic criteria is an extra dollop of cream."
For higher resolution image please click here.
These measurements by Newport Test Labs for Australian Hi-Fi showed that the Small Reds have an extremely flat frequency response - varying by + & - 1 dB between 100Hz and 10kHz. Extending the measured frequency range "..... shows that not only that the overall frequency response measured extends from 55 Hz to 22 kHz +/- 3dB. which is excellent, but also that the frequency response is perfectly balanced, in that it does not tilt up or down to emphasise one end of the spectrum at the expense of another. In other words an ideal result." Which explains why the Small Reds have such a natural tonal balance!
The Newport Test Labs report also stated " So far as the low-frequency performance is concerned, I don't think I have ever seen such extended low-frequency response from any loudspeaker with the Small Red's internal volume (and external dimensions) so this is definitely a first, and certainly 'proof of concept' for the 'ísobaric' concept...." The report also said "there are no resonance related 'glitches' on the impedance traces at all , so the performance of the Small Red cabinets themselves is exemplary." Combined with the low resonance/low distortion drivers this leads to the Small Red's extraordinary speed plus resolution of fine detail in music.
| Specifications | |
| System | 3-way passive; Xovers at 200 and 2500Hz |
| Frequency response | 35 - 25,000Hz in room |
| Sensitivity | 85 dB/W @ 1m |
| Impedance | 4 ohms average |
| Recommended Power | 100 - 300 W with good output current capability |
| Size(mm) | 500(h)x230(w)x350(d) at base |
| Weight | 17 kg each |
| Warranty | 7 Years |
| Finishes | jarrah, light oak and stained-black wood veneers |
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