Low Frequency Section
The foundation of the Majestic Diamond II features a 5.25” woofer midrange with a stiff coated paper diaphragm. The vented driver is acoustically corrected by its dual ported ETL™ enclosure providing a flat response and uniform dispersion characteristics. The resulting pistonic motion of the woofer driver diaphragm extends from its lower ranges right through its 4.5kHz crossover point and beyond without compression. Normally dispersion problems confuse any multi-way speaker regardless of design methodology resulting in restricted dynamic power response and confusion in the acoustic presentation. The ETL™ prevents the dispersion disturbing axial breakup modes from occurring while maintaining constant acoustic impedance with frequency at and through the crossover region. The linear dispersion characteristics allow a simple first order electrical crossover to bring about a total 12db/oct low pass slope for the woofer. The result is a desired neutral minimum low pass phase characteristic even off axis. Low frequency extension is to below 30 Hz, not typical of a small ported monitor with a gradual roll-off to 20 Hz therefore allowing you to use the room’s dimensional characteristics to extend the bass to subwoofer depths if the room isn't too large. The important aspect of the MD-2's upgrade is that of further enhancing the systems entropic condition. In a few words this means maintaining a laminar air flow behind both drivers diaphragm and yes both. When the previous waves energy doesn't coherently dissipate you lose the ability to operate the driver as a piston. This introduces random compression issues which subdues accuracy and increases all types of distortion. The resulting port system upgrade has the Majestic Diamond II producing low end to below 30Hz at low distortion while further enhancing clarity and crossover accuracy. The upgraded version has not been independently reviewed as of yet
High Frequency Section
Accomplishing stellar woofer performance demands a neutral high frequency section to extend the coherent low frequency foundation into the highest frequency ranges. The conical based 2-inch PPM tweeter incorporates an aluminum phase plug to enhance higher frequency dispersion while a 200 Hz low frequency limit assures that the driver’s main resonance does not influence its output. The relatively high 4.5kHz crossover point maintains a minimum cone travel, which is desired for this driver. This tweeter when used in the ETL™ internal acoustic environment becomes neutral and matched to its companion woofer. How is it possible to accomplish such a goal when typically woofers are just plain different from tweeters in all respects? ETL™ technology accomplishes this by normalizing the internal operating environment of each driver.
The industry has been searching for harder materials to minimize the breakup in tweeters even by using synthetic diamonds. The best sound comes from natural materials such as paper or a closely engineered comparable material such as the PPM cone employed in the Majestic Diamond II™. Our ETL™ technology precludes the need to use rigid and artificial materials by supporting the tweeter with constant pressure that prevents axial mode breakup from occurring. The voice coil now has help to assure that the tweeter remains a piston throughout its frequency range.
Crossover Network & Environment
The crossover point comes into question again when describing the tweeter’s contribution. It is important that the woofer and tweeter maintain similar dispersion characteristics at and around the crossover frequency. It would also be good to be able to maintain the important similar characteristics right through the audible range. The ETL™ maintains that similarity even though the drivers are of a different frequency range and construction. Why do we choose a 4.5 kHz crossover point? The woofer must crossover when its dispersion coverage is similar to the tweeter. This assures that there is a seamless transition at and about the crossover point with the woofer-tweeter radiating characteristic essentially identical in this range. This also allows us to use a simple 6db/oct high pass slope for the woofer, which minimizes electrical phase shift. The Majestic Diamond II™ sounds as if it is a single driver speaker even at very close distances while improved coherency establishes a slower sound decay with distance than with existing loudspeakers. This is because the internal pressure returned to each driver maintains the consistent velocity differential with the ambient at all frequencies. The drivers have similar cone shapes affording similar dispersion characteristics in the crossover range. The elimination of breakup modes in the woofer allow for precise crossover design and operation when blending with the tweeter even when high dynamics are present.
With the acoustic impedance maintained for both drivers the acoustic presentation is neutral to responses from reflections to maintain coherence in any environment.
Superior Dynamic Range
An inherent benefit of ETL™ technology is that of maintaining constant pressure for the diaphragm at high sound pressure level (SPL). This maintains a linear dynamic current in the coil allowing for natural peaks at high average volumes and greater dynamic power handling. Linear cone excursion is maintained out to and slightly beyond the normal excursion limit. No compression here and with the large radiating surface of the cone tweeter excursion is kept to a minimum even in these ideal conditions.
The woofer also maintains superior dynamic capabilities with its enclosure dedicated to maximizing its linear excursion capabilities. Operating as a piston over its frequency range insures that a linear velocity is present right through the crossover point with compression far from the driver’s output even at high dynamic levels.
Versatility
Long term listening is invited with the Majestic Diamond II™ audio monitor even at high levels without fatigue. The Majestic Diamond II™ is also the ideal near-field studio monitor capable of discerning even the finest detail without excessive levels. This important characteristic allows use in smaller listening rooms with audiophile quality especially when positioned properly.
Off axis listening maintains the soundstage almost as if you were still centered and you can stand, sit or be at floor level and still experience precise sound quality with a good soundstage. This is not an accomplishment to be taken lightly when choosing a speaker for your lifestyle. You will even find yourself moving around without missing a single enjoyable note of your favorites.
Today we assume that enjoyable sound is only possible with perfect analog or digital sources while many less quality sources provide us with the music we love. The Majestic Diamond II™ will have you looking for and listening to all of your favorites regardless of the recording era quality or the medium. Sources such as digital streaming radio, mp3s, FM, tape, and phono will surprise you with their musicality and audible detail.
The Majestic Diamond II™’s neutral low frequency roll-off makes it a perfect match for a quality subwoofer if needed. Quality sub designs will benefit from the coherent low frequency output of the Majestic Diamond II however you will only get close without non resonant technology in the subwoofer design. While both the Magellan VI su and the Magellan VIII su work exceptionally well with the Majestic Diamond II™ a subwoofer is only necessary if the room requires it. A single or pair of the Magellan VIII su mated with a pair of Majestic Diamond II™ audio monitors represents one of the finest audio speaker system available today regardless of price and its amazing properties can be enjoyed in almost any listening room without room treatment when using quality components. If you are just upgrading your speakers from your old mid-fi system, you are in for a wonderful surprise when you hear how good your original components really sound.
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