Celestion Axi2050 Axiperiodic Driver
Celestion has announced its Axi2050 wideband axiperiodic compression driver. Performing the role of two speakers in one, the Axi2050 is a high power, high-output driver which reproduces a frequency range of 300Hz-20,000Hz without the need for a midband crossover.
The Axi2050 delivers an exceptionally coherent signal, particularly in the critical listening band; and an extended frequency range: enhancing clarity and speech intelligibility, as well as reproducing music more dynamically and with greater coherence.
In contrast to most existing high-sensitivity, wideband drivers which are designed with two separate diaphragms, the Axi2050 uses a single, large diameter, sculpted, circumferentially axiperiodic, annular titanium diaphragm. This breakthrough technology enables the device’s remarkable wideband output, as well as providing a number of other significant advantages.
The result of more than five years’ research, the Axi2050’s patented diaphragm design consists of many curved, axiperiodically symmetrical elements which adds immense strength to a very thin and light sheet of titanium. Consequently, the shape of the mechanical vibration modes is tailored so they do not couple with the acoustic modes; enabling the device to deliver a very uncoloured performance by avoiding resonance peaks.
This single diaphragm has a diameter large enough (more than 175mm) to reproduce frequencies as low as 300Hz, while still having a small enough moving mass to facilitate high frequency reproduction. And the diaphragm’s large surface area and axial flexibility enables the generation of very high SPL, even at low frequencies.
“The R&D team at Celestion worked for several years using mathematical tools and modeling software in optimizing the design of the ultimate, single diaphragm compression driver,” explains Ken Weller, Marketing Manager at Celestion. “As a result, the Axi2050 driver is able to deliver absolutely optimum performance over a very wide frequency range.”