Lansche Audio add in Oct. Stereophile

dc55110

The add is really bothering me (Pg 88, October 2008). I understand the concept of a "plasma" or "ion" tweeter, but the physics of some of the claims in their add don't seem right... Now it has been about a decade since my last physics class in college but this statement has some problems... "The Lansche Corona Tweeter - A ball of Massless, Superheated Air. An 8mm sphere of Plasma Flame."

I hope this is just hyperbole.
Heat transfer (other than radiation) requires mass.
Plasma is a state of mater, having mass.
Plasma is just that, Plasma. Not flame.

I don't know why but since I saw this add it has been driving me crazy. :mad:

mrbigbluelight

Well, if you plan on purchasing, I hope you have a fat wallet.

$55,000 a pair. :eek:


"NEWS RELEASE 5/04/08 The Signal Collection, LLC (formerly Signals-SuperFi, LLC) announces that it has added German loudspeaker manufacturer Lansche Audio to its collection of exotic high performance audio gear.

Lansche Audio is best known for its inimitable "Corona" plasma tweeter, which is utilized in their only production model loudspeaker at this time: No. 4.1, a modestly apportioned three-way loudspeaker of immodest performance.

At only 43.3" tall, the No. 4.1 exploits a bandwidth of 20Hz through 150kHz at 99dB sensitivity (1w/1m/8 Ohms), and is able to sustain up to 115dB. While the specialized active bass section allows for tuning the loudspeaker's performance to best suit room and position, the most interesting accomplishment of the Lansche is their unique plasma tweeter. With a bandwidth of 1,500 Hz through 150,000 Hz (crossover at 2,500 Hz), the Lansche Corona tweeter is unique in the field. With such a vast bandwidth of phase-perfect performance, the Corona tweeter is the cornerstone of what may be the highest-precision loudspeaker in the world.

"This virtually massless tweeter is one of the more compelling inventions in the audio world," shared Chris Sommovigo of The Signal Collection. "It starts and stops on a dime, and its reveals more information from within the music than I ever knew was there. When I heard this loudspeaker for the first time, I knew that it belonged as a part of our stable of high performance audio gear."

"Lightening in a Bottle"

The Corona Ion tweeter utilizes two highly-energized electrodes to produce an arc of high voltage electricity, superheating the air in precisely the same manner as lightening does, thus creating a "plasma ball" about 8mm in diameter. An A/C signal then modulates this miniature lightening bolt which, in turn, moves the air between the electrodes - expanding and contracting the flame of the plasma-ball much the same way a conventional tweeter might vibrate in reaction to the musical signal it receives. The plasma-tweeter then launches its ultra-wideband signal through a specially designed spherical horn. The result is phase-perfect performance, increased levels of detail and nuance, truly natural decay times, and lightening-fast dynamics.

The No. 4.1 also utilizes a specially-developed midrange driver. Thanks to a hard, almost motionless suspension, the powerful Neodymium magnet, and it's ultralight coated Omniex membrane, this driver is able to match seamlessly to the lower registers of the plasma tweeter to provide a perfect compliment with respect to its resonance and distortion behavior. If the Corona tweeter is the heart of the No. 4.1, this unique wideband midrange driver is its soul.

Slated to sell for $55,595.00/pair, the No. 4.1 not only offers exotic technology and hyper-performance attributes, it is also manufactured with extreme care with particular attention paid to its luxuriously lacquered real wood veneers and its elegantly sculptured lines. Like a fine musical instrument, the No. 4.1 radiates music visually as well as audibly.

First North American public performances of this loudspeaker will take place at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, October 10th through 12th, 2008 - Denver, CO

Pretty cool looking. Here's the link for the Lansche Audio website:

http://www.ib-lansche.de/eng39105.html/03c1989a330d13d0e/index.html

treitz3

For that kind of money, I sure do hope that they have fixed the reliablity issues. Anybody here laid ears on them yet?

Face

This is nothing new. In fact, the early ones were kind of dangerous to have in your home.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweeter#Plasma.2FIon_tweeter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasmatronics

dc55110

I have no intention of purchasing these speakers. I was only pointing out the dubious claims in their add. For that kind of dough you think they could get the scince right in their add.

mhardy6647

RF plasmas modulated with an AF signal make dandy tweeters; virtually no moving mass, and true point source radiation. The only problem is that they're not very efficient, and the early ones like the DuKane/Electrovoice Ionovac generate a fair amount of ozone. The Hill Plasmatronics used helium to generate the plasma, so no pesky ozone.

The DuKane/EV Ionovac: http://archives.telex.com/archives/EV/Drivers/EDS/T-3500%20Ionovac%20EDS.pdf


At a quick glance, the claims quoted in post #2 (for the plasma driver) look about right. Ozone will give you that nice summer-thunderstorm scent too :-)

There are several DIY plasma tweeter sites on teh entireweb, too, FWIW.