Decware FRX Full Range Driver
This looks really cool. I've never heard any Decware gear just a little window shopping. It is very interesting. I've been looking for an interesting driver to try.
The FRX represents an obsessive effort on my part to perfect the full-range point-source driver for Open Baffle speakers at a sane cost. While the build quality of this driver will compete with with other brands costing many times the price, I don't believe any of them will hold up sonically because of the side effects of high flux low mass designs. Side effects like the occasional shouty mid-range and forward presentation or ringing that comes with the tipped up response that is characteristic of these types of drivers. The FRX overcomes these side effects with a unique motor assembly that uses electromotive coupling between the amplifier and the voice coil. There is no other single driver in the world with this technology.
I personally hand build these drivers to order. Build time on a pair of these fine drivers is 6 to 8 weeks.
-Steve Deckert
FEATURES
High sensitivity/minimal distortion—an ideal match for lower powered amplifiers
Electromotive amplifier to voice coil coupling eliminates ringing and stabilizes response
Machined motor assembly with optimized neodymium magnet provides high motor strength
Solid bass performance, thanks to usefully high excursion capability (>4 mm Xmax)
Cast frame with under spider venting for excellent cooling and low mechanical noise
Narrow spokes eliminate reflections behind the cone for cleaner response
Motor shape acts as a rear wave guide to enhance dispersion.
Parasitic HF cone and carefully engineered phase plug extend on- and off-axis response
Low-mass copper clad aluminum voice coil increases high frequency response and speed
Copper cap and copper ring on pole piece reduce voice coil inductance and distortion
Kevlar reinforced paper cone is lightweight yet rigid and well controlled for cleaner bass
PRINCIPAL OF OPERATION
The varying current entering the FRX motor from your amplifier creates a varying magnetic flux in an air gaped grain-oriented silicon steel laminated core via a primary coil winding and thus a magnetic field through a secondary winding is developed. This varying magnetic field induces a varying electromotive force (EMF) in the secondary winding called mutual induction. Once this secondary winding is properly tuned with a resistive load, AC current is allowed to flow to through this air-gaped circuit via the primary and out to the voice coil. Since the EMF at a given flux density increases with frequency, the secondary (tuning coil) absorbs the artificial rise in response and ringing caused by the high strength motor assemblies used in this type of low mass driver. Despite appearances, when the tuning load is removed no current can flow to the voice coil.
This exotic approach to magnetically coupling current from the amplifier to the voice coil is what gives the FRX it's uniquely smooth and highly present sound.
This approach works by designing a driver that is over the top in high frequency projection and then offsetting it with electromotive force. The result is smooth linear response without loosing the hyper speed and insane detail that comes from the overly strong neo magnet.
The FRX design also brings significant if not profound improvements to the overall phase angle and sense of timing and pace when compared to normal drivers. I believe it is part of what brings absolutely lucid imaging to the table when a pair of these are used with good tube amplification.
Visit the Decware site http://www.decware.com/newsite/FRX.html .
The FRX represents an obsessive effort on my part to perfect the full-range point-source driver for Open Baffle speakers at a sane cost. While the build quality of this driver will compete with with other brands costing many times the price, I don't believe any of them will hold up sonically because of the side effects of high flux low mass designs. Side effects like the occasional shouty mid-range and forward presentation or ringing that comes with the tipped up response that is characteristic of these types of drivers. The FRX overcomes these side effects with a unique motor assembly that uses electromotive coupling between the amplifier and the voice coil. There is no other single driver in the world with this technology.
I personally hand build these drivers to order. Build time on a pair of these fine drivers is 6 to 8 weeks.
-Steve Deckert
FEATURES
High sensitivity/minimal distortion—an ideal match for lower powered amplifiers
Electromotive amplifier to voice coil coupling eliminates ringing and stabilizes response
Machined motor assembly with optimized neodymium magnet provides high motor strength
Solid bass performance, thanks to usefully high excursion capability (>4 mm Xmax)
Cast frame with under spider venting for excellent cooling and low mechanical noise
Narrow spokes eliminate reflections behind the cone for cleaner response
Motor shape acts as a rear wave guide to enhance dispersion.
Parasitic HF cone and carefully engineered phase plug extend on- and off-axis response
Low-mass copper clad aluminum voice coil increases high frequency response and speed
Copper cap and copper ring on pole piece reduce voice coil inductance and distortion
Kevlar reinforced paper cone is lightweight yet rigid and well controlled for cleaner bass
PRINCIPAL OF OPERATION
The varying current entering the FRX motor from your amplifier creates a varying magnetic flux in an air gaped grain-oriented silicon steel laminated core via a primary coil winding and thus a magnetic field through a secondary winding is developed. This varying magnetic field induces a varying electromotive force (EMF) in the secondary winding called mutual induction. Once this secondary winding is properly tuned with a resistive load, AC current is allowed to flow to through this air-gaped circuit via the primary and out to the voice coil. Since the EMF at a given flux density increases with frequency, the secondary (tuning coil) absorbs the artificial rise in response and ringing caused by the high strength motor assemblies used in this type of low mass driver. Despite appearances, when the tuning load is removed no current can flow to the voice coil.
This exotic approach to magnetically coupling current from the amplifier to the voice coil is what gives the FRX it's uniquely smooth and highly present sound.
This approach works by designing a driver that is over the top in high frequency projection and then offsetting it with electromotive force. The result is smooth linear response without loosing the hyper speed and insane detail that comes from the overly strong neo magnet.
The FRX design also brings significant if not profound improvements to the overall phase angle and sense of timing and pace when compared to normal drivers. I believe it is part of what brings absolutely lucid imaging to the table when a pair of these are used with good tube amplification.
Visit the Decware site http://www.decware.com/newsite/FRX.html .