Another Italian Materpiece
 

Not from Sonus faber, but I thought Sonus faber fans would like this. It does have some resemblance to Sonus faber... New from Unison Research, here are the pictures of The Malibran:

http://www.avcat.jp/avnews/2009/malibran2.jpg

http://www.avcat.jp/avnews/2009/malibran1.jpg

http://www.avcat.jp/avnews/2009/malibran3.jpg

http://www.avcat.jp/avnews/2009/malibran4.jpg

£19500.00

　　Malibran is the first loudspeaker system designed by Opera and produced by Unison Research. It is named in homage to the great 19th Century soprano Maria Malibran, whose remarkable life and talent was cut short at the age of just 28. She is remembered today as a legend in Venice, where a Theatre is named after her. The Malibran loudspeaker incorporates all the important technical solutions and innovations developed by Opera in recent years, including the inward-firing sub-bass section, the progressive low-pass filter, the Cross-Linked Dipole rear tweeter array and the TEB (totally enclosed box) with sealed enclosures for each bass driver. The Malibran cabinet and is made up of an inner cabinet of multi-layer plywood and thick MDF, with an outer layer of finely sculpted and highly polished real wood. The overall volume is 146 litres and weight is 120kgs, the whole structure being virtually inert and resonance-free. Wheels are fitted for easy movement. Although there are 12 drive units in total, Malibran is in reality an extended two-way system, with powerful passive sub-woofer and cross-linked dipole radiating system all in the same cabinet. Its particular design makes it easy to use in any room, whether large or small.

　　　System: Floor-standing - TEB
　　　Finish: Cherry wood and leather
　　　Drive Units: 3 x sub-woofers, aluminium cone
　　　4 x 5-inch midrange, magnesium cone
　　　1 x 1-inch treble unit, silk dome　
　　　CLD rear radiating system (4 tweeters)
　　　Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
　　　Max. Long-term power: 750 Watts RMS
　　　Suggested amplifier: from 10-15 Watts (no clipping)
　　　Sensitivity: 89dB/w/m
　　　Nominal impedance: 4 Ohm (minimum 3.2 Ohm)
　　　Dimensions: 140 x 39 x 80
　　　Net Weight: 125kgs each
　　　Crated weight: 150kgs each

I'm not feeling that one.

It looks like it is trying to be different for the sake of getting attention. Backward firing tweeters 180 degress out of phase with the midrange, bass drivers 90 degrees lateral to the midrange seems wierd. Have you heard them ?

I have seen reviews on them before. Usually pretty positive.

Side firing bass drivers are not that unusual and a few manufacturers, Von Schweikert for one, have rear firing "ambience" tweeters.

I have not seen or heard them. I do like their rear-firing tweeters, btw. When I had an amp capable of driving 4 speakers (2 pairs) I had 2 small speakers turned toward the rear wall for the ambience effect. The overall music sounded more natural that way.

I am with Dj on this one.

I'm feeling that the word "Masterpiece" might be a bit overused here.