No compromise. Is the best way to describe the award winning Davone flagship model. With precise engineering guiding us every step of the way, we have created a loudspeaker that reveals the full tonal spectrum of even the most convoluted music. Sounding clean, natural and unconstrained, hidden subtleties in the music are revealed while always remaining in control.
More than Beryllium
Due to its incredible rigidity, Beryllium represents the ultimate material for a tweeter dome. Where soft domes turn choirs into grain, hard rock into noise, Beryllium can separate the complex harmonics with ease and keep the music clean and precise, also at high listening levels. But we do not stop there. Opting for an unconventional approach, we mount the dome flush with the baffle, as opposed to the typical recessed placement, allowing the dome to unleash its wide off-axis response without obstruction—vital for achieving an expansive, open sound. This unique dome placement is a rarity, demanding meticulous baffle rounding to prevent diffraction and a more intricate crossover design. However, the resulting benefits outweigh the challenges. Complementing this design, we employ an exceptionally narrow surround to eliminate any lingering "soft dome" coloration. With a mere 0.1-gram moving mass and a magnetic flux density of 2.0 Tesla, our high frequencies reach reference-level quality.
A Metamodal Membrane
A what?? Let me explain. The Swedish company Oxeon invented a unique process to produce a very flat uni-directonal fiber tape. A weave made with this tape can be very flat and therefore requires less resin and weighs less compared to a traditional fiber weave. In other words, more carbon fibers can be used for the same weight. In fact, Textreme as it is called, is so stiff that the familiar edge resonance around 1-2 kHz is eliminated. This stiffness usually comes at the cost of severe resonances at higher frequencies which limits the operating range. But by optimising the thickness and stiffness, the Textreme membrane is engineered for a controlled resonant behaviour by distributing the break up modes, a metamodal membrane. These distributed modes, or resonances, are far less severe and the useable frequency range is increased. It is the perfect membrane for a midrange loudspeaker. The sound it produces is entirely free from resonance, delivering an exceptional combination of purity, neutrality, and speed.
Fast and Powerful
Even the untrained eye will be able to see that this is not just another 10" woofer. It is purpose built for large deflection with minimal energy storage. In other words, it is powerful, fast and detailed. The strikingly large double magnet is mounted on a very stiff cast aluminum chassis and both magnet and chassis are designed for optimum airflow and ventilation. This minimises unwanted energy storage, just like the non-conducting vented voice coil and low damping rubber surround. The large surround and long voice coil allow a very high mechanical deflection of 22mm and a special designed spider limits the mechanical excursion when the woofer reaches the maximum deflection. The very high currents needed to bring this woofer close to its maximum require the large area of the 3” voice coil for sufficient cooling.
the Colour of Sound
String instruments produce a fundamental tone and a vast array of higher harmonics, demonstrating the human ear's preference for a rich, harmonic sound. Record players and tube amplifiers also introduce harmonics, creating a vibrant and colorful sonic experience, akin to the significant impact of optimal room acoustics. Many loudspeakers also contribute their own tonal character, for example aluminum tweeters often deliver a remarkably open, clear, and transparent sound. However, this pleasing tonal coloring can sometimes overshadow and actually result in timbral deficiency, concealing subtle tones. The Reference One's Beryllium tweeter, on the other hand, offers a gentler percussion representation, excelling in tone separation and micro-detail reproduction, effectively distinguishing musical instruments in spatial placement. Similarly, the Textreme Carbon midrange exhibits a smooth and well-balanced timbre, unveiling intricate sound micro-textures without introducing any coloration. Consequently, while drivers crafted from simpler materials like aluminum or paper may sound appealing with straightforward music such as classical guitar or solo vocals, the Beryllium and Textreme Carbon drivers transcend these constraints. The Reference One faithfully unveils the full tonal spectrum of even the most intricate musical compositions.
Extensive Bracing
When the speakers vibrate, the cabinet also vibrates in response. However, these cabinet vibrations exhibit a slight delay in relation to the music, resulting in a perceptible blurring and decreased definition of the sound. Our cabinet construction is designed to address this issue comprehensively. Constructed from 25mm thick, form-pressed wood, it boasts a curved structure, further enhanced by a high-pressure and temperature bending process, which greatly augments its stiffness. Internally, we reinforce the cabinet with a network of extensive bracing, utilizing 18mm and 22mm thick plywood strategically positioned for optimal structural integrity.
Internal Acoustics
Internal resonances can manifest audibly through the speaker membranes, and various effective countermeasures have been implemented in the Reference One. The baffle edge behind the mid-range driver is chamfered to mitigate the potential cavity resonance within the speaker cutout. Additionally, two internal Helmholtz absorbers have been strategically incorporated: one absorbs the standing wave between the cabinet's top and bottom, while the other tackles the bass reflex port resonance. The placement of the bass reflex port inlet has been carefully chosen to ensure that it operates in an area where the influence of any remaining internal resonances is minimized. Moreover, the top opening has been designed to prevent the excitation of listening room resonances that typically occur between the floor and ceiling. This seemingly simple yet effective measure holds significant potential for improving sound quality in various listening rooms, as these resonances are often challenging to control. Finally, the design of the bass port is corner-less and features a substantial area, accounting for 30% of the woofer membrane. This design choice serves to minimize port turbulence and maintain linearity in output, even at high signal levels.
Frequency response
29 - 30.000 Hz, -3dB
Impedance
4 ohm, 3.4 ohm minimum at 26Hz, above 4 ohm from 37Hz
Sensitivity
87 dB/2,83V/m
Recommended Amplifer
100 watt or more
Woofer
10” Hard paper cone, 3" diameter, long throw voice coil, limiting spider
Mid range Driver
4,5" Multimodal Textreme membrane with distributed low energy breakup modes
Tweeter
Flush mount 1" Beryllium with extremely light 0.1g dome and a first breakup mode above 40kHz
System
Upwards directed bass reflex with a linear, oversized and damped port
Cabinet Construction
25mm form pressed plywood with extensive bracing and tuned absorbers
A loudspeaker of such exceptional caliber requires a superior finish that mirrors its exceptional sound quality. We've meticulously chosen materials to elevate your audio experience, including exquisite quarter-cut walnut veneer, genuine European leather, an elegant grille to conceal the bass reflex port outlet, discreetly positioned Davone spikes, and an all-encompassing, meticulous finish. Each material was selected for its practicality and durability, ensuring that you can savor the highest audio quality for years to come.