I'm looking to learn about Air Motion Transformer technology
mijostyn1 , I'm with Arion Audio and Analysis Audio USA. We have been building AMT drivers since about 2009 mostly for custom apps. We are currently launching a loudspeaker line based around our AMT drivers. Mike |
jbhiller, In full disclosure, we manufacture our own AMT drivers and AMT based loudspeakers here in the USA. We have lots of experience with ribbon technology as well. As you may already know the ingenious AMT drivers were invented by the late Dr. Oskar Heil. As with most things in audio there are many solutions to most design challenges. In many cases the implementation of a technology is more influential on sound quality than which technology is used. Yes, different driver designs have different characteristics but how they are used in the overall loudspeaker design is what's important. The AMT design is fairly versatile but is almost exclusively used for tweeters. Generally speaking, I would say that a well engineered AMT can be just as detailed and resolving as the best ribbon drivers and would describe them as "lively" or "high energy". This is one of the reasons some speaker manufacturers find it difficult to integrate them into their loudspeaker design. We designed our AMTs to be extended range drivers. In our Apollo line the AMT array covers from 120Hz to 24KHz. IMHO, AMTs can be excellent M/T drivers. As low mid-range and upper-bass drivers they are even more excellent but they have to be designed and built for the task. IMHO, I wouldn't get caught up in what they are made from or whether the substrate is Mylar, Kapton or cardboard. Go experience a pair. Only you know if they are right for you. Mike |
John, That comment wasn't aimed at anyone. Sorry if it offended you. I was just trying to express the thought that a driver can't be judged by the materials it's made of. Sure, high end or exotic materials are cool and sometimes are required to achieve a design goal. Sometimes very common materials perform just as good or better than exotic materials. We use some very interesting adhesives and some very common ones. What's important is the use of the correct materials for the job. All I am saying is it would be unfortunate for someone to avoid a good product because they don't understand this. BTW, Kapton is often used in PRO AMTs because of its properties where durability is just as important as sound quality. We don't use Kapton in our AMTs and our membranes are easily replaced if need be. Mike |
Mike, Please excuse our old and outdated website. A new one with lots more info is in the works. We use the Trinnov ST2 to control the AMT towers as well as the woofers. Our systems are designed with full DSP and room correction in mind. All filters and EQ is done by the DSP. The drivers are directly coupled to the amplifiers. The core is our AMT design and its ability to cover an extended range. Our 9 AMT driver Apollo tower can reach 80 Hz and below. Our 12 AMT driver Apollo tower just has more output. We have selected 120 Hz as the default crossover point for a variety of reasons. It can be easily changed through the DSP but we discourage it. Our woofers are designed to be stacked so room height is the limit. With their high sensitivity the Apollos can play to astonishing SPLs but no one should listen to those levels. Where their high SPLs count is with music peaks. Minimal dynamic compression. Anytime you want to hear them just let us know. |
Semantics. IMHO, a ribbon and an AMT are very different. They may both be long and narrow so by some definitions they might be in the same category. They are both part of the light membrane transducer category as are planars and electrostats. Typically, in the audio world, the ribbon membrane is attached to its support structure only at the top and bottom. In AMTs the diaphragm is attached to its support structure at four sides. In this regard they are more like a planar. Some people call long narrow planar drivers ribbons. Some believe that a true ribbon driver uses only one metallic element as the membrane and the composite ribbons are not true ribbons. Others believe both are true ribbons. Features, construction and specs may be shared or be close but AMTs, planars and ribbons are all different. |
There are no connections between Analysis and the now defunct Apogee brand. Analysis has been in business since about 1990. All Analysis M/T ribbons are designed with aluminum traces on a Kapton substrate. The main difference is the implementation. Most (all that I know of) ribbon membranes of the composite type are pleated through meaning the aluminum / Kapton composite are pleated together. Once done and suspended in the driver frame you basically have a spring. During assembly slight tension is applied mostly for symmetry. Over time they will sag. There are some negative consequences to that. Analysis ribbons are built differently. The Kapton substrate is not pleated. It is attached to the structure at the top and bottom with one to three cross-supports depending on which model and with slight tension. The pleated aluminum traces are applied to the substrate. Analysis ribbons never sag. There are several other benefits to the Analysis design. The Analysis bass panels are probably more like Magnepan panels but are, too, very different. They are also 3D in profile and have a complete suspension. Like most large ribbon or planar drivers they are an easy load on amps. Partially because of the design and the quality they are very stable and robust speakers unless you poke the membranes with sharp objects. |
mijostyn
Mike, Sorry that I missed your post. No dealers in New England but the VPI showroom in central NJ does have an Apollo System in house. Harry Weisfeld purchased an Apollo12 system for his home. His 12 will be at the VPI showroom for a few weeks before being delivered to his house. We are scheduled to deliver the Apollo system mid November. They have lots of very cool equipment there besides their turntables. It's worth a trip. We do offer the Trinnov Amethyst as well. You make a good point about the mic and setup. At this point in time our systems do come with the mic to set up the system. The Trinnov does have remote setup capabilities. We are also available for on site assistance. You are correct about the need for multiple woofers for SPL to match the Apollo towers but no one should be exposed to those levels. It's all about no dynamic compression. AMT based speakers can be great for HT too. stringreen Don't know much about car audio but having good output for their size and being very clear, AMTs should work well in a car audio system. |
