An innovation to enhance the value of mediums.
OBSESSION WITH THE MIDRANGE
The midrange register is undoubtedly the most complex to master in an acoustic system. On the one hand, it must ensure a harmonious energy junction with the bass channel. On the other, it must be coherent with the tweeter in terms of dispersion and acceleration. Timbre homogeneity and spatialization depend on it.
Over the last twenty years, Focal has been working to control diaphragm "break-up" (the frequency at which the cone deforms and causes distortion) with 3rd generation "W" composite diaphragms, and to drastically reduce tweeter resonance with the IAL 2. Today, thanks to the power of numerical finite element analysis, our teams have developed a simulation tool to visualize the dynamic behavior of the surround that links the cone to the saladier, revealing the dysfunctions on which progress can be made.
THE TMD HARMONIC DAMPER
Following the discovery of these malfunctions, the challenge was to design a device that would enable them to be controlled. Known solutions for increasing surround damping lead to an increase in mass, which in turn affects definition. The answer was found in a technique used in anti-seismic systems for skyscrapers, and also found in the surrounds of racing vehicles! This is the Tuned Mass Damper technique: an additional mass oscillates in opposition to the resonance to control it.
Applied to the loudspeakers, the solution simply consists of two circular "beads" molded into the surround mass and judiciously sized and positioned. They constitute our harmonic damper (TMD) and stabilize the surround's behavior at resonance to avoid cone deformation and not penalize dynamics. This innovation is patented.
VISUAL ANALOGY OF A SURROUND WITH OR WITHOUT HARMONIC DAMPER
Two circular "beads" molded into the surround mass constitute our harmonic damper (TMD). Above, a conventional surround, below, a TMD suspension. This simple solution, developed thanks to our new software, stabilizes the surround's behavior at resonance, avoiding cone deformation without penalizing dynamics.
THE "TMD" HARMONIC DAMPER PRINCIPLE
The principle of the "TMD" harmonic damper: in red, an m1/k1 system with a very pronounced resonance. The addition of a m2/k2 mass-spring device (upper part of the central diagram) will result in a behavior showing two resonance peaks as on the blue curve. The trough, or anti-resonance, having been set to the resonance of the main device, we obtain the green curve and finally, by judiciously dosing the damping, we end up with the purple curve. Resonance has all but disappeared!
In the case of the Sopra line of loudspeakers, we've combined this innovation with an exponentially-shaped cone to extend its frequency response, and therefore its impulse response. Another argument in favor of even greater definition.
MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSIS
Improved linearity between 1 and 2 kHz and frequency extension brought about in part by the cone's exponential profile.
In blue, our latest-generation midrange. In red, a previous-generation W midrange. Improvements to the magnetic circuit also make their contribution. NB: the dip at 3 kHz is due to the absence of a core cover on the test unit.
Action of the harmonic damper on frequency response linearization between 1.5 and 2 kHz (in blue, with TMD and in red, without TMD).
Action of the harmonic damper on distortion, which is halved between 1.5 and 2 kHz (blue with TMD and red without TMD).
Focal products using this technology
Discover other Focal technologies
REMOTE AMPLIFIER IN CURRENT MODE
The most transparent and natural
Since main monitors are frequently soffit-mounted, these require external electronics for this application. Focal engineers have therefore developed an amplification system combining a class H with a current mode. By controlling the current (instead of the voltage), it is possible to directly control the force submitted to the membrane and eliminate any unwanted artefacts. Combined with analogue filtering and exceptional drivers, this amplification achieves the lowest THD ever measured in an anechoic chamber.
"M" profile Béryllium Tweeter
Rigidity and Purity
Patented by Focal, the pure beryllium ‘M’ profile tweeter combines rigidity, lightness and damping for exceptional high-frequency reproduction. The ‘M’ membrane is the result of many years of research and expertise. Made in a single piece, it improves sound dispersion, reduces distortion and ensures optimum power handling.
TNF Tweeter
Treble finesse
Made in France in our workshops, the TNF aluminum/magnesium inverted dome tweeter delivers smooth, clear treble. The surround that connects the dome to its support uses Poron, a shape-memory material. This surround is directly derived from Focal's famous Beryllium tweeter, and reduces distortion by a factor of three between 2000 Hz and 3000 Hz, the most sensitive zone for the ear. In addition, a waveguide has been developed to perfect spatialization and further improve the inverted dome's very low directionality. In the horizontal plane, the frequency response is within +/- 0.5 dB. This performance guarantees an incredibly stable soundstage.
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