Ribbon speakers

 ...... (go to DIY Ribbons here)

http://audiocircuit.com/9109_ribbon_circuit/
http://www.snippets.org/audio/library/ribbonFAQ.htm
http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/8756/riblink.html

 

Collecting information about all ribbon speaker brands is almost impossible. Anyway I have decided not to do what someone has done before. Therefore please see the above links. 

Just be aware, that some consider magnetostatic and the MBL-drivers as ribbons? I have put these speakers in their own cathergories.

DECCA London

http://www.xs4all.nl/~rabruil/ribbon.html

The ribbon loudspeaker started out allmost 50 years ago as a dedicated very high frequency and high quality alternative to the dome and cone tweeter. A true ribbon is defined by a thin ribbed alu-foil which act as the actual voicecoil. Due to the very low impedance this is transformer coupled to the amp.

The ribbon was first introduced by Quad, but a few years later developed by Stanley Kelly. His speaker was the Kelly 30 with a rather small horn which was positioned vertically. His design was taken over by DECCA who manufactured the DK30 (Decca Kelly 30) and the bigger Decca London Ribbon.

The ribbon has a very small excursion. The powerhandling is therefore very low: 20 Watts. To much power will break the thin aluminum. Without special measures it can be used from 7 kHz on as the DECCA Super Tweeter shows.

 

Transmission Audio

http://www.transmissionaudio.com/pages/738782/index.htm

Dynamic Propulsion/Ultra Propulsion drive Ribbon transducers.

Sample ribbon 3" wide. The first of its kind in the World

A new type of ribbon speaker technology adresses and solves the limitations that so far have plagued even the best of existing ribbon speaker designs: poor power capability, non-linear magnetic fields, a limited X-max and a tendency to overemphasize the top end.

A new company which make complete speaker systems as well as really wide-range ribbon transducers to be used without any impedance matching transformers. The big ones have up to 1" of linear excursion!

 

One of the smaller ribbons - the 2" mid/high frequency ribbon.

Ultraprop - Worlds first full range ribbon transducer made for headphones!

RAVEN

http://www.orcadesign.com/companys%20products/ravendrivers/raven1.html

These Orcadesign ribbons are among the best, and the most (insanely) expensive ribbons on the market. The series comprises 3 models, with the big R3.1 at the top. It features a +100 dB sensistivity and a usable frequency range from 500 to 40.000 Hz.

Please note, that the Ravens have a reputation as being very fragile. The ribbon breaks when not crossed over correctly.

(Read about the DIY Raven/ESg project below)

 

 

raven_1.jpg (17774 byte)

raven3view.jpg (587491 byte)

On the right a look inside the Raven R 3.1. What is that in the back (not the transformer)? A 3rd magnet or something else between the righ and left polepiece?

Aurum Cantus (Also known as ESG or ARG)

http://www.aurumcantus.com/
http://www.e-speakers.com/
http://www.cantare-as.de/

Manufactured in China, these new ribbons are sold world-wide under different names. They could be considered as a very good alternative to the Ravens, with absolutely compareable qualities.

The G1 topmodel promises specs that leaves nothing to be desired::

Response 800hz - 40khz /-3db 
Sensitivity 102db/w 
Flat 8ohm impedance 
High power handling 

(Read about the DIY Raven/ ESg-project below)

HLR

http://users.argonet.co.uk/business/hsdawson/

The HRL-1 is a hand-made thoroughbred ribbon tweeter/supertweeter of the highest quality intended to fill the void left by the demise of such units as the Decca/Kelly. The traditional criteria for a high-performance ribbon tweeter have been reinstated. With a massive "Alcomax-III" cobalt-based magnet assembly and a minimum-inertia aluminium diaphragm weighing only 0.01gm, the response extends to well beyond 30kHz with useful output being detectable at frequencies beyond 50kHz.

 

Ribbon-HLR-1.jpg (11533 byte)
SEQUERRA

http://www.sequerra.com/electronics/data/index.html

Dick Sequerra has been in the forefront of producing loudspeakers ever since the introduction, in 1976, of the first T-1 ribbon speaker. The T-1 has become the reference standard for ribbon speakers. MIT, Bell Labs, Bruel & Kjoer are among the prestigious institutions now using the T-1.

The latest version of the T-1 is the T-1 Mk. IV.
• Sensitivity: 1w /1 meter 10kHz 96dB SPL.
• Polar Response: 10kHz Vertical 90° - Horizontal 170°.
• Frequency Response on Axis: ± 2dB 1.6kHz to 60kHz.
• Maximum average power: 1.6kHz to 60kHz - 40 watts RMS.
• Harmonic distortion: @115 dB - less than .15%.
• Crossover frequency: 1.8 kHz.
• Crossover Slope: 1st Order Electrical, 2nd Order Acoustical.

• Ribbon Size: 1" Wide x 7 1/2" Long.
• Ribbon Mass: Less than 7 milligrams.
• Magnet assembly weight: 24 Lbs.
• Net weight each: 31 Lbs.
• Height: 9.25".
• Width: 6.25".
• Depth: 13 1/8".

Price US$ 4.000 the pair.

Mk IV signature loudspeaker from Sequerra featuring the T-1 Mk. IV in the top and new midrange ribbon drivers.

US$ 75.000 the pair

TAD

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/Industrial/IndustrialTADProductDetails/

The PT-R9 is a true "high end" ribbon. Covering the range fro, 5-120 kHz with a sensitivity of 97.5 dB is truly amazing - but so is the price! Generally considered as the best high range ribbon tweeter at all.

TAD, Technical Audio Devices, introduces model PT-R9 Super High-Frequency Ribbon Tweeter designed to support today's rigid demands for DVD Audio sound reproduction in both the Professional Studio Application and Home Theater sound.  Featured in this new Wide-range Tweeter is a Super-Light Beryllium Vibration Board for excellent range of audio reproduction from 5 K to 120 kHz.
Also featured is our newly developed, Full-Surface Drive technology which is made possible by the use of advanced Alnico 750 magnet, with its high-precision magnetic structure.

Apogee

The first full range ribbons.

http://www.cybertheater.com/HW_Reviews/Apogee/apogee_info.html

 

BKS

http://www.bksaudio.dk/ukstartst.htm

 
On the right the BKS 175 supreme - the type no. indicates the height - 175 cm! The ribbon itself is allmost 1 meter high.

 

Tekzone V64-1
http://www.tekzone-audio.com/homepage/products.htm
 
 

This is NOT a ribbon!!!  But they claim that it is. At the same time they show quite clearly that it is some kind of hybrid ribbon/dynamic speaker. In fact quite interesting, but why then call it a ribbon?

SPECIAL FEATURES:

►"V"TYPE DIAPHRAGM RIBBON TWEETER.
►HIGH POWER CAPACITY WITH NIGH RELIABILITY
►MATCH WITH WOOFERS TO MAKE WHOLE SYSTEMS
►SMOOTH FREQUENCY RESPONSE ( +3dB within the range from 1800Hz to 23kHz for 64mm length ribbon)
►WIDE HORIZONTAL DIRECTIUITY (≤-2dB within the range from 1800Hz to 20kHz at the +30° angle off the main axis)
►LOW TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTIONS (2nd harmonic distortions≤0.3% within the range from 1800Hz to 20000Hz, 3rd harmonic distortions≤0.5% within the range from 1800Hz to 20000Hz