Published 17/6/08
Where’s the tweeter then?
Equator Audio Research’s latest studio monitor is the Q8, a two-way active loudspeaker which has coaxial time-aligned drivers (or ‘zero point reference’ drivers, as Equator call them). Time alignment means that the signals from both low- and high-frequency drivers reach the listener at the same time, leading to a more phase-coherent wave front, and therefore a more accurate stereo field. The technology was made famous by Urei’s 800-series studio monitors, which were designed by Bill Putnam of Universal Audio fame.
The Q8 is the smallest in the ‘Q’ series, which also includes 10-, 12, and 15-inch models, as well as an 18-inch subwoofer. Its low-frequency woofer measures eight inches, with a one-inch compression horn driver serving the high-end. Both drivers are powered by dedicated amplifiers that can deliver peaks of 400 Watts each. Clever DSP technology inside each monitor links up with a software application and a measurement microphone, enabling users to compensate for acoustic imperfections in their listening environment.
A bank of LEDs on the front panel displays the output level and the status of an on-board peak limiter, while the back panel has XLR and quarter-inch jack audio inputs, as well as remote control connections on USB and RS485. The Q8 can operate between 32Hz and 22kHz (-6dB), with front-firing bass reflex ports beefing up the low end. They’re magnetically shielded so you can situate them next to CRT monitors and such, and the cabinets are made from three-quarter-inch 13-layer birch ply, with a one-inch High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) baffle.
For more information, visit Equator Audio’s web site.
Equator Audio +1 888 772 0087
www.equatoraudio.com
Equator Audio Research’s latest studio monitor is the Q8, a two-way active loudspeaker which has coaxial time-aligned drivers (or ‘zero point reference’ drivers, as Equator call them). Time alignment means that the signals from both low- and high-frequency drivers reach the listener at the same time, leading to a more phase-coherent wave front, and therefore a more accurate stereo field. The technology was made famous by Urei’s 800-series studio monitors, which were designed by Bill Putnam of Universal Audio fame. The Q8 is the smallest in the ‘Q’ series, which also includes 10-, 12, and 15-inch models, as well as an 18-inch subwoofer. Its low-frequency woofer measures eight inches, with a one-inch compression horn driver serving the high-end. Both drivers are powered by dedicated amplifiers that can deliver peaks of 400 Watts each. Clever DSP technology inside each monitor links up with a software application and a measurement microphone, enabling users to compensate for acoustic imperfections in their listening environment.
A bank of LEDs on the front panel displays the output level and the status of an on-board peak limiter, while the back panel has XLR and quarter-inch jack audio inputs, as well as remote control connections on USB and RS485. The Q8 can operate between 32Hz and 22kHz (-6dB), with front-firing bass reflex ports beefing up the low end. They’re magnetically shielded so you can situate them next to CRT monitors and such, and the cabinets are made from three-quarter-inch 13-layer birch ply, with a one-inch High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) baffle.
For more information, visit Equator Audio’s web site.
Equator Audio +1 888 772 0087
www.equatoraudio.com
