Snell
Acoustics has just introduced the XA 2500 LCR Speaker. A cross between
the Reference XA 2900 and the XA 1900thx, the new XA 2500 sits squarely
in the middle of Snell’s high-end, in-cabinet speaker line and
incorporates exclusive Snell eXpanding Array technology. Using the XA
2900’s driver set and crossover the XA 2500 provides the output,
dynamics and detail of its Reference brother at less than half the
price.
The eXpanding Array consists of two 8-inch woofers that flank the two 4.5-inch midrange drivers arranged over and under a 1-inch pure titanium dome tweeter. Through the use of sophisticated computer modeling, Snell’s eXpanding Array exhibits a very broad, even vertical dispersion. The design formula calculates driver size, spacing, crossover frequency and slope to develop an array whose length varies with frequency. Specifically, as the applied frequency decreases [lowers in pitch], the effective length expands to give constant directivity making the XA 2500 flat regardless of seating position, while quieting the floor and ceiling reflections that bounce back to the listener as distortion.
As in the XA 2900, a multi-position boundary switch compensates for in-cabinet mounting locations, as well as for the more complex case of near floor (under a screen) mounting. The Upper Treble Switch compensates for the loss of treble when mounting the XA 2500 behind perforated film screens.
Like all Snell speakers, the XA 2500 is assembled by hand, individually calibrated, for performance to within, 0.5dB of the Reference Master at the factory in Peabody, MA. Currently available in horizontal and vertical configurations, the XA 2500 carries a suggested list price of $3,000 each, in durable Black Painted MDF.
The eXpanding Array consists of two 8-inch woofers that flank the two 4.5-inch midrange drivers arranged over and under a 1-inch pure titanium dome tweeter. Through the use of sophisticated computer modeling, Snell’s eXpanding Array exhibits a very broad, even vertical dispersion. The design formula calculates driver size, spacing, crossover frequency and slope to develop an array whose length varies with frequency. Specifically, as the applied frequency decreases [lowers in pitch], the effective length expands to give constant directivity making the XA 2500 flat regardless of seating position, while quieting the floor and ceiling reflections that bounce back to the listener as distortion.
As in the XA 2900, a multi-position boundary switch compensates for in-cabinet mounting locations, as well as for the more complex case of near floor (under a screen) mounting. The Upper Treble Switch compensates for the loss of treble when mounting the XA 2500 behind perforated film screens.
Like all Snell speakers, the XA 2500 is assembled by hand, individually calibrated, for performance to within, 0.5dB of the Reference Master at the factory in Peabody, MA. Currently available in horizontal and vertical configurations, the XA 2500 carries a suggested list price of $3,000 each, in durable Black Painted MDF.
Like this article? Bookmark and share with any of the sites below.
