Audimax: Auditorium Maximum as in Hobby HiFi 3/07

Audimax a huge floorstanding loudspeaker with drivers of high quality.
Technical data
- rated SPL: 92 dB (2.83V, 1m)
- frequency range (-3dB): 32-40 kHz
- impedance: 3 Ohm
- crossover frequencies: 160, 1900 Hz
- size (HxWxD): 164 x 30 x 52 cm
- speaker type: bass reflex
State of the art or what's technically viable can be found in a loudspeaker that comprises, according to Hobby HiFi, the three best drivers available today with a saving potential between 10.000 and 20.000 EUR compared to a finished speaker.

The kit consists of an Audaphon Neo Pro 5i ribbon tweeter, certified by Hobby HiFi as a unit at reference level, surrounded by two Seas Excel W18 EX 001. This combination on its own is already quite remarkable and could be used as a top notch shelf speaker.

A real reference system, however, should also have a matching bass driver. The Visaton TIW 250 XS XS was chosen, a driver that is quite suitable for reference systems.

For those who prefer smaller speakers the Audaphon/Seas Excel combination could be used as a satellite in conjunction with subwoofer obviously comprising Visaton bass drivers.

Due to an impedance of 3 Ohm that even drops to 2.1 or 2.2 Ohm at 30 Hertz, only an extremely solid amplifier should be used.

Excerpt of the review in Hobby HiFi 4/2007

"These transducers produce music in such a natural way that the listener won't even think about the hardware involved. The Audimax displays a sound with details that can only be vaguely imagined when using different speakers. Suddenly, everything becomes clear: good recordings will sound great, mediocre ones are mercilessly exposed.

Even a slight overmodulation of the recording microphone is immediately noticeable. Imaging is absolutely perfect. The stage extends from far behind the speakers to the listening position and the width goes far beyond the physical loudspeaker positions - that's how three-dimensionality should be experienced. Vocals and instruments are assuming their positions clearly – inviting to go for a stroll between the musicians. The male choir on the Echnaton recording by the Stuttgart Staatsorchester shows a crowd of capable individuals: every voice possesses solo qualities. The abyssal bass on Camille Saint-Saens' Symphony For Organ, the enormous Kodo drums and the percussive dynamics of the O-Zone Percussion Group are proof: The Audimax handles any type of bass with style. Even at low volumes all the details are preserved. On the other hand, this speaker can also handle extreme volumes without showing any strain – so extreme that practically any type of music can be reproduced at the original sound level. "

The verdict by Hobby HiFi:
"That's the loudspeaker that is capable of reproducing any type of music material. Quality without compromise at a price where only upper middle class, finished loudspeakers are available. The Audimax is serious competition for the top speakers in this world costing between 10.000 and 25.000 Euro. In comparison, the material cost for a pair of Audimax are rather modest: below 4.000 Euro for a complete pair, maybe 5.000 Euro if the crossover components have to be top-notch, and if they are built by a carpenter they still won't cost a five digit Euro amount. Even made by professional cabinet maker they won't set you back much more than a low five digit amount. In comparison with similar, finished loudspeakers the saving potential is anything between 10.000 and 20.000 Euro, depending on the finish of the cabinets."

Our kit consists of:

- 1 x Audaphon Neo Pro 5i
- 2 x Seas Excel W18 EX 001
- 2 x Visaton TIW 250 XS
- 2 sets Jet-Set 100 tubes
  with internal and external flared port
- 4 x Bondum 800
- 1/2 x Damping 10
- 1/2 bag polyester fleece
- self-adhesive sealing tape
- 30 Allen screws
- 10 gold plated brass binding posts
  (to detach the bass drivers)
- with Tritec wire for the tweeter
- 1.5 m OFC cable 2x 2.5 mm2 for midrange
- 4 m OFC cable 2x 4 mm2 for bass
- description and building instruction
Crossovers available
our standard crossover
- 3 PCB's 220 x 155 mm
- 3,9 mH Feron Foil transformer core coil
- 2x 10 mH ferrite core coil, 0.86 Ohm
- 0.56 mH copper foil coil (cfc14)
- 4.7 mH air core coil/1.4 mm
- 0.15 mH air core coil/0.28 Ohm
- 6.8 mH air core coil/0.7 mm
- 0.68 mH air core coil/1.4 mm
- 3.3 mH core coil/1.4 Ohm
- 0.33 mH air core coil/0.48 Ohm
- 220 μF ELCO non-etched (100+100
  +22uF all 3 in parallel)
- 680 μF ELCO etched
- 168 μF (100 μF ELCO non-etched
  + 68 μF MKP in parallel)
- 22 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 6.8 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 4.7 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 680 μF ELCO etched
- 6.8 μF Clarity CAP ESA-Kondensator
- 6.8 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 0.68 μF Audaphon MKP
- R1: 2.7 Ohm, 20 Watt
- 1.8 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-grey-gold)
- R3: wire bridge
- R4: 4.7 Ohm MOX4 resistor (yellow-purple-gold)
- R5: 4.7 Ohm, 20 Watt
 
- R6: 3.3 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-orange-gold)
- 15 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-green-black)
- R8: 1.5 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-green-gold)
- R9: 3.9 Ohm MOX4 resistor (orange-white-gold)
our high-end crossover
- 5 PCB's 220 x 155 mm
- 3,9 mH Feron Foil T106-transformer core coil
- 2x 10 mH baked varnish air core coil/ 1.9 Ohm
- 0.56 mH copper foil coil (cfc12)
- 4.7 mH baked varnish air core coil/1.4 mm
- 0.15 mH baked varnish air core coil/0.28 Ohm
- 6.8 mH baked varnish air core coil/ 2.7 Ohm
- 0.68 mH copper foil coil (cfc14)
- 3.3 mH baked varnish air core coil/1.75 Ohm
- 0.33 mH baked varnish air core coil/0,48 Ohm
- 220 μF ELCO/MKP (100+100
  +MKP:22uF all 3 in parallel)
- 680 μF ELCO non-etched (6*100+82uF in parallel)
- 168 μF ClarityCap PWA 160V (100 μF
  + 68 μF in parallel)
- 22 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 6.8 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 4.7 μF MKP capacitor/400V
- 680 μF ELCO non-etched (6*100+82uF in parallel)
- 6.8 μF Mundorf silver/oil capacitor
- 6.8 μF Mundorf MCAP Supreme
- 0.68 μF Mundorf MCAP Supreme
- R1: 1.5 Ohm, 20 Watt
- 1.8 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-grey-gold)
- R3: wire bridge
- R4: 3.9 Ohm MOX4 resistor (orange-white-gold)
- R5: 4.1 Ohm (2x 8.2 Ohm in parallel:
  MOX10 grey-red-gold)

- R6: 3.3 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-orange-gold)
- 15 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-green-black)
- R8: 1.2 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-red-gold)
- R9: 3.9 Ohm MOX4 resistor (orange-white-gold)

Our Audimax kit
Price per speaker (without cabinet)   - not available

Audimax with high-end crossover
Price per speaker (without cabinet)   - not available

Impedance correction for Audimax

Do you want to use the Audimax with a valve amp that can handle 3 Ohm? The we recommend the following impedance correction.

The impedance correction consists of:
- 0.22 mH air core coil with 0.7 mm wire
- 10 μF MKP capacitor
- 1.5 μF MKP capacitor
- 10 Ohm ceramic resistor with 20 Watt
- 10 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-black-gold)

We don't offer a high-end crossover, since higher quality components won't improve the sound.

Audimax impedance correction
price per speaker EUR 16,40 excl. VAT: € 13.78 / $ 14.75

Audimax with separate subwoofer or as satellite (on its own)

Audimax Satellit aus HH 3/2007Do you think the Audimax is too big? But still want this speaker? There are two variations:

a) You build the middle part as front speaker and for bass you build a separate subwoofer. We gladly recommend a design depending on your listening room conditions. Please send us an E-mail.

b) You build the middle part as full range speaker , covering the entire frequency range. Don't expect extreme low bass. Since the bass / midrange driver doesn't have a lower cut-off frequency the capacitor C3 should be replaced with a wire. Coil L4 and L7, C7 and R5 should be omitted.

Below are our kits allowing both variations.

Our Audimax satellite kit, subwoofer needs to be added
Price per speaker (without cabinet)   - not available

Audimax satellite with high-end crossover, subwoofer needs to be added
Price per speaker (without cabinet)   - not available

Audimax satellite for full range operation, reproducing frequencies below 160 Hz
The components (C3, L4, L7, C7, R5), not needed for subwoofer operation, are not supplied.
Price per speaker (without cabinet)   - not available

Audimax satellite with high-end crossover for full range operation, reproducing frequencies below 160 Hz:
The components (C3, L4, L7, C7, R5), not needed for subwoofer operation, are not supplied.
Price per speaker (without cabinet)   - not available

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