Von Schweikert Audio

~ Pr= ess Release ~

New = Product Line

The Studio-Signature Series^TM Speakers

Models: Unifield One, Unifield Two= , and Unifield Three ^TM<= /span>

ince many audiophiles hav= e small rooms or don’t want large speakers intruding into their living rooms,= we have engineered a new line of extremely powerful but physically small syste= ms we have named the Studio Signature Series^TM. These feature a new engineering “platform” to enhance the sound quality from a physically small cabinet design. These specialized models were designed fro= m a “unified theory” of acoustical engineering that effectively sol= ves the acoustic problems found in small rooms caused by boundary reflections a= nd standing waves; we call this new design our UniField ^TM<= /b> system.

UniField Theory of Dispersion & Spectral Balance for Small = Room Listening:

A) Many large speakers wi= th wide dispersion often do not sound good in small rooms, since the boundary reflections can interfere with the direct wave launch from the speaker syst= em itself. These delayed reflect= ions dilute and color the original transient signal, degrading the image focus t= hat is contained in the vectored stereophonic two-channel signal. (Although our larger VR series of room-interactive spe= aker systems compensate for these reflections, many listeners cannot afford the space that our larger speakers require).&n= bsp;

B) Our UniField ^TM Design utilizes a controlled = dispersion pattern more suitable for small room listening than larger speakers can provide. The dispersion patte= rn was tailored to enable the UniField ^TM speaker= s to reproduce a dimensional 3-D image depth with a very clear focus, even in li= ve listening rooms with reflective boundaries. The dispersion pattern is controll= ed by the driver selection, crossover topology, and other proprietary methods. However, the UniFields also sound great in large rooms due to their high power handling, wide dynamic range, = wide bandwidth, and low distortion.

C) In order to reproduce = a high degree of fidelity when reproducing a wide bandwidth music signal, we have tailored the spectral balance with powerful bass to enable the UniField ^TM design to excel in both small and large rooms. Although many audiophiles profess = that clarity and 3-D imaging are their priority, a lack of bass will undermine e= ven the best speaker due to the “thin” nature of most mini monitors that cannot reproduce deep, powerful bass.= The UniField One, UniField Two, and UniField Three include innovative engineering that accomplish the following design targets:

Many audiophiles, includi= ng us here at VSA, haven’t taken small speakers seriously due to past performance limitations including distortion at high volume levels, lack of bass power, and “miniature” sound stage limitations. These limitations have driven Von Schweikert Audio to design ou= r new Studio Signature Series to please = the most discriminating audiophile. Granted, this was a “cost-no-object” design target.

The UniField One, UniField Two, and Unifield Thr= ee include innovative engineering that accomplish the following design targets= :

The beautiful cabinets are designed to generate= a very large sound stage, with high volume level potential and relatively deep bass power when compared to other brands of small speakers. The UniField ^TM Series sound “huge” compared to competing speaker systems due to = our design of specialized drive units and very heavy duty components to ha= ndle very high power input levels without distortion. In addition, making a “specialized” cabinet shape a priority enabled the internal cabinet design to greatly reduce internal standing waves that “color” the sound quality. We have chosen to use non-par= allel side walls with a mathematically curved radius, designed to reduce internal standing waves. We have also used the composite-materials met= hod to reduce coloration caused by cabinet-wall vibration and have also ut= ilized a unique internal cavity stuffing method to increase the effective siz= e of the cabinet volume for bass reproduction. Like technology we laminate t= he internal walls with a matrix composite of viscous damping rubber sheets that have a 300% improvement in reduction of cabinet vibration found in conventional (read “lesser”) designs that do not feature o= ur level of engineering..

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Internally, we have utilized a unique internal cavity stuffing method we call Gradient Density Damping^=
TM= to increase the effective size of the cabinet volume for ba= ss reproduction. In effect, the transducers don’t behave as they are mounted in a small, limiting space – the woofers operate as free= ly as they would in a larger enclosure. This innovative combination of de= sign features are Patent Pending.

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To ensure that the speakers are universally accepted, we have used “Continental” styling, with a “furniture grade” cosmetic design that will be appropriate= for any type of decor. The styling cues include a beautiful form-function = and an outstanding finish level. We offer light blond maple and medium brown Hazelwood veneer, in addition to our new signature Steinway high gloss black polyester paint finishes which will match any décor, anywhere in the world. Our design inspirations are t= he Aston Martin and Bentley automobile interiors, along with exotic and rare watches at the $50,000 price range. We will eventually offer a beautiful, heavy stand made with black polished gra= nite as an accessory.

Recognizing that there are several successful brands of expensive, high quality mini monitors on the market that have limitations, we have engineered exotic solutions to reduce the “small speaker problems” so we could stand out from the competition. One of our = most important and innovative solutions include a stacked twin-cabinet syst= em to enhance the Time Alignment and Consistent Phase Behavior derived from our larger systems. We believe our new models are the first to employ this two-piece cabinet stacking design in a small-room mini-monitor speaker system. In addition, our UniField ^TM Models utilize the finest speaker components available, capable of the highest resolution, clarity, and = 3-D image focus. The exotic diaphragms on all three models were designed and chosen using the late= st Laser Interferometry equipm= ent to study the cone behavior.

UniField Model One^TM : This is our entry level two-way mon= itor, utilizing the famous 7” (178mm) Dyn^TM bass/mid driver and the 1” (25mm) Dyn^TM tweeter famous for their power handling of 1,000-watt peaks. The cabinet has dimensions of 10” wide x 17” tall x 14” deep (25cm x 42.5= x 35cm) and should be placed on a heavy, rigid stand that is approximately 20” high (50cm). It’s built from composite matrix laminations, features massive damping and internal cavity resonance control to eliminate= the coloration found in conventional speaker cabinet design. The curved side wa= lls eliminate standing wave formation, creating extremely transparent sound quality. Transparent sound wa= s our goal!

WOOFER:

The woofer/midrange drive= r has a 3” voice coil with a Neodymium magnet mounted inside the voice coil, along with our “Low Distortion Under-hung Motor” Patent. The 7” cone is fabricated fr= om a carbon-impregnated polymer and has such a flat frequency response that virtually no crossover is required. The bass power is simply amazing, even in a large room, with extensi= on to deep bass frequencies (40Hz) without distortion. However, the important midrange frequencies are where this model shines: female vocals are incredibly real, with no audible coloration - the singers are in the room with you! Piano and other instruments sound extremely real and will remind you of the last “live” concert t= hat you attended.

TWEETER:

The Dyn^TM 28mm soft dome tweeter has immense power handl= ing of 1,000-watt peaks due to the specialized voice coil immersed in cooling liquid (Ferrofluid) that enables the tweeter to reproduce very high levels = of output in the all-important midrange. Although robust and powerful, this rubber-coated silk dome is extrem= ely sweet and lush, without any fatiguing sibilance that is often heard in other small speaker systems. This f= eat was accomplished by using a voice coil that has more excursion capability t= han standard tweeters, so high volume levels cannot over-drive these tweeters, there is no distortion to bother your delicate ears, and the sound is pure!= To eliminate the typical “dome tweeter” coloration, we have instal= led a sound chamber cup behind the dome, in effect creating a large absorption = area to eliminate the back-wave reflections that cause typical dome distortion.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'>

MIDRANGE SOUND QUALITY:
Although many audiophiles= believe that a two-way speaker system is the “holy grail” of designs du= e to the simple design and lack of complex crossovers, the midrange sound qualit= y is dependent on how well the woofer and tweeter drivers handle the midrange frequency band. Woofers are b= uilt for high power handling at low frequencies and are constructed of heavy par= ts that inhibit midrange frequency reproduction at 5,000 cycles per second. In addition, 99% of tweeters do not handle low frequencies well, since they do not have the necessary excursion= and power handling for midrange reproduction.&= nbsp; For this reason, the entire UniField ^TM line ha= s been designed around very highly developed drivers which feature “midrange response” as their main target goal.= We do not believe in compromise!

PRICE:   MSRP is $6,000/pr in all thr= ee finishes (blond maple, medium Hazelwood, high

    gloss Steinway Piano b= lack paint with clear-coat finish).

OPTION A: Bybee Quantum filters, used on all drivers and crossovers. $1,00= 0/pr.

           &n= bsp;            The Bybee Quantum filters remove the high frequency noise and hash.

OPTION B:   The UniField- One- Stand, ma= de from Black Granite, 20” tall. $1,500/pr.

OPTION C: VSA speaker cables, designed for t= his specific model. $1,500/pr = 211; 8ft

SPECIFICATIONS of UNIFIELD MODEL ONE:

Frequency range: 40Hz to 25kHz (40Hz is the low= est note on the bass guitar).

Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal, very easy to drive.<= /li>
Power rating: 200 watts r.m.s. and 1,000-watts peak. Minimum of 50 watts.

Weight: 32 lbs (14.5 kgs). Yes, it is extremely heavy for its size.

Dimensions: 10” wide x 17” tall x 14” deep (25cm x 42.5 x 35cm).

Recommended Stand: Although we will be offering= an optional stand that has been engineered to “ground” the speaker for best bass performance and image focus, any heavy duty stand that is approximately 20” tall will be acceptable.

UniField Model Two^TM : This is a small, twin-cabinet 3= -way floor-standing monitor with a height of 34” (85cm), using a Time Aligned cabinet array and = Phase Consistent Crossover.

BASS SYSTEM:

The separate and extremely heavy-duty woofer cabinet loads the 7” Dyn^TM woofer in a short transmission line, extending= the bass flat to 32 Hz (-6dB at 26Hz) with amazing power and speed, clearly the best sounding tone quality of b= ass you have ever heard from a speaker of this size! The two most important factors in a woofer system are: a) high power output at very low frequencies, and b) very tight and “fast” bass. Our design optimizes both of these factors to a very high degree of listening satisfaction. Due t= o the non-parallel side walls with curved side walls and the multiple-matrix of w= all materials, there is no “one note bass” caused by box distortion. The “transi= ent speed” of this woofer with 3” voice coil and Neodymium magnet is nothing short of amazing when you consider that this woofer can also energi= ze the room at 32Hz, making even the mighty pipe organ come alive in your room. If you are looking for = a full range speaker system that has a tiny footprint, this is the one for you, as= it sounds fantastic in small rooms but is powerful enough to play at loud leve= ls in large rooms.

MIDRANGE/TWEETER CABINET = DESIGN

The smaller upper cabinet, isolated from the woofer, holds the midrange and tweeter units, both manufactured under Dyn^TM design patents. We have utilized the twin cabinet method from our larger speaker systems to enhance= the transparency of the entire sound field, since isolating the delicate midran= ge and treble frequencies eliminate distortion caused by the woofer vibrations. The enclosure is formed from high density matrix materials with curved side walls to prevent internal standing waves. In addition, the triple layer wall construction utilizes constrained layer damping techniques borrowed from military applications, using submarine hull viscous damping sheets and hard rubber inner walls. The degre= e of resonance control is perhaps over-engineered, but as most of our customers = are fanatics for high quality sound, we have gone to extreme lengths to make th= ese the best built cabinets on the market, cost no object. We have utilized the twin cabinet = method from our larger speaker systems to enhance the transparency of the entire s= ound field, since isolating the delicate midrange and treble frequencies elimina= te distortion caused by the woofer vibrations. In addition, the 3-D image focus, enhanced by the physical Time Alignment of the woofer/midrange/tweeter voice coils, is more easily accomplished by the use= of two stacked cabinets, hence our use of this design on all of our Award-winn= ing larger speakers from the VR-4 on up to the VR-11. Albert Von Schweikert pioneered the use of twin stacking cabinets in the VR-4 platform in 1976 while conducting research at the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech).

MIDRANGE DRIVER:

The 4.5” polycarbon= ate midrange driver has a 2” voice coil with an internal Neodymium magnet= for immense power handling and high speed transient response. This driver is so flat in response, without dips or peaks, that almost no crossover system is required. The transparency is breath-taking = due to the incredibly heavy duty construction and design. This cone material has been utiliz= ed by speakers costing up to $150,000 and is amazingly transparent, neutral, and “live” sounding. = It has fantastic detail but is also very musical.

TWEETER:

For high frequencies, we = have utilized the Dyn^TM <= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> 28mm rubberized silk dome tweeter w= ith chambered rear cup and liquid cooled voice coil as found in our UniField Model One ^TM. Since the midrange driver’s high frequency response enables us= to blend the tweeter in with the midrange at a relatively high crossover point, the tweeter is operating only in a very high range, resulting in a total la= ck of stress or distortion at high volume levels. The UniField Two ^TM = is a very detailed speaker system, = but is also lush and will give you an incredibly deep picture of the sound stage. = If you don’t have the room for a large speaker but want a very highly st= yled speaker with the most musical balance you have ever heard, try this system! It works incredibly w= ell in both large and small rooms due to the UniField Two ^TM des= ign concept.

PRICE:   MSRP is $10,000/pr in maple, Hazelwood, and black hi-gloss.

OPTION A: Bybee Quantum filters, on all driv= ers and crossovers: $1,000/pr.

OPTION B: A black Granite platform to solidi= fy the Model Two to the floor, $1,000/pr.

OPTION C: VSA bi-wire speaker cables, designed specifically for this model. $2,500/pr in eight-fo= ot lengths. Please inquire regar= ding pricing on other lengths.

SPECIFICATIONS of UNIFIELD MODEL TWO:

Frequency Range: 32Hz to 25kHz. You can hear the = organ pedal notes at 32Hz.

Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal. This is a very easy load to d= rive.

Power Rating: 300 watts on music, 1,000-watts p= eak. Minimum of 50 watts.

Weight: 45 lbs including woofer and midrange/tweeter modules.

Dimensions:&nb= sp; 34” (85cm) tall x 10” (25cm) wide x 14” (35cm) deep.

UniField Model Three^TM : This is most likely the most fascinating small speaker ever produced: an “augmented one-way design” that uses proprietary engineering ideas found in our VR-9SE, which has b= een awarded “Product Of The Decade” by two magazines around= the world. The Model Three utilize= s the same twin-cabinet system as our UniField Model Two ^TM, described above, greatly enhancing the 3-D image focus and transparency bey= ond the scope of competing speakers up to many times its price. However, the real surprise is the world-class driver complement, never before seen in this particular combination. These exotic drivers provide spectacular sound quality from the exotic cone diaphragms and enabled us to design what is essentially a one-w= ay speaker system with the highest level of transparency and image focus. For details, read more.

WOOFER SYSTEM:

The Model Three utilizes the same S= EAS Excel magnesium-coned woofer as the VR-9SE system, but in a smaller 7” (180mm) size. This w= oofer is acknowledged as the ‘best woofer in the world’ by leading engineers due to its heroic design, materials, and overall measurement and sound quality. The 22” = (85cm) tall transmission line enables bass power down to 25Hz with incredible spee= d and dynamic range and cannot be easily damaged by high volume levels. The magnesium Excel woofer has the Patented “Low Distortion Motor” invented by SEAS and can handle incredible bass levels without the distortion heard from standard woofers in competing systems. Since the magnesium cone and “Low Distortion Motor” exceed the specificat= ions of any other woofer available, cost-no-object, you will experience the most exciting bass ever heard in a speaker of this small size. The clarity and impact is amazing!=

MIDRANGE:

This 5” (125cm) dri= ver has an exotic cone made from ceramic impregnated paper formed into a honeycomb = and has a range of 70 to 15 kHz, with speed and clarity that exceeds any electrostatic we have tested. Since this is a full range driver wit= h the highest level of transparency, there is almost no crossover necessary for t= his driver to integrate with the woofer and tweeter. In essence, the UniField Model Three ^T=
M, is a one-way speaker system with augmented bass and treble, spaced at very wide points where the ear is = not sensitive (100Hz and 10kHz). = If you have been seeking the “Holy Grail” of midrange transparency fro= m a conventional or miniature speaker system, the UniField Model Three ^TM, should be on yo= ur short list for audition!

TWEETER:

Our VR-9SE has been cau= sing shock waves of disbelief at hi-fi shows and in review magazines for the past two years due to its ability to literally generate a sense of realism with = its bandwidth of 10Hz to 100kHz an= d high dynamic range of 96dB. Our ri= bbon tweeter is a huge factor in the VR-9’s ability to genera= te a completely holographic sound field, with the most incredible level of treble purity and sweetness ever heard (according to two rave reviews by critical magazines). To recreate this = level of sound quality, the new UniField Model Three ^TM= utilizes a 3” (75mm) aluminum ribbon tweeter that combines transient detail wi= th a very musical texture and depth. If= you want detail and clarity without the distortion caused by conventional tweet= ers, this ribbon is what you have been seeking, since it is the most musical twe= eter on the planet.

CROSSOVER DESIGN:

In order to render the cr= ossover points sonically inaudible, we have utilized a full range driver for the ma= in source of the signal reproduction, but have augmented the deep bass and high treble at harmonically related cross points of 100Hz and 10kHz to enhance the bandwidth and provide higher pow= er handling. This necessitated a= new type of crossover that does not “chop up” the signal and degrade the music with filters; this new crossover design uses a form of “harmonic integration” to enhance the sonic characteristics of = this “augmented” one-way speaker system for the ultimate coherence.<= /p>
As in other Von Schweikert speaker systems, we have chosen the most expensi= ve and exotic capacitors, resistors, and inductors that will not add coloratio= n or distortion. In addition, sinc= e the drive units are extremely flat and well behaved, the circuit is simple, dir= ect, and extremely pure in sound quality due to the low parts count and the extremely high quality of the component parts.

SOUND QUALITY:

If you have the desire to= own our VR-9SE speaker system but don’t have the room or budget, this is the speaker for you. If you seek = the most transparent speaker in the world, with the highest level of clarity, detail, and focus, you have found your speaker. If you value emotional expression, rhythm and pace, along with a thrilling 3-D sound stage, you have found your speaker system!

PRICE: MSRP is $15,000/pr in blond maple, African Hazelwood, and Steinway high gloss piano black finishes.   This speaker system utilizes “Bi-wiring” and it is mandatory that you use two separate speak= er cables to drive this system. = We can furnish a specialized speaker cable that was designed expressly for this system, see below.

OPTION A: Bybee Quantum f= ilters, will purify the high frequencies. $1,000/pr.

OPTION B: Black Granite P= latform to elevate tweeter to ear height, $1,500/pr.

OPTION C: VSA Bi-Wire Sig= nature “Master-Built” Speaker cable with double shotgun

strand= ing. This is our top-of-the-line cable, priced at $5,000 for an 8-ft pair. Please inquire regarding alternate lengths.

SPECIFICATIONS of UNIFIELD MODEL THREE:

Frequency Range: 32Hz to 25kHz. You can hear the = organ pedal notes at 32Hz.

Impedance: 8 Ohms nominal. This is a very easy load to d= rive.

Power Rating: 300 watts on music, 1,000-watts p= eak. Minimum of 50 watts.

Weight: 55 lbs including woofer and midrange/tweeter modules.

Dimensions:&nb= sp; 34” (85cm) tall x 10” (25cm) wide x 14” (35cm) deep.

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January 16^th, 2008

Albert Von Schweikert&n= bsp;

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Observation: above prices are subject to = change without notice. Pictures will be available soon. First 53 pairs of above we= re ordered during CES Las Vegas show in 2008!