Our flagship models are two-box, four-way designs featuring active crossovers, Hypex amplification and full DSP/room correction. Like all the open-baffle speakers in our range, models are designated according to their bass speaker displacement: higher numbers indicate a greater volume of air moved – increasing palpability, though not necessarily lowering the frequency reponse.
All our Planar models are identical from 80Hz-20KHz, featuring fully dipole Planar drivers from 200Hz upward, supplemented by a midbass-dedicated high-sensitivity 12″ driver.
The addition of this ‘fourth driver’ brings several benefits relating to a better handover between the quicksilver Planar drivers and the heavyweight subs. Physics doesn’t permit a cone with strong output at 25Hz to deliver sufficiently fast transients at 250Hz. Equally, the kind of transducer capable of dovetailing with the low end of a ribbon driver is unable to deliver lower registers with authority. A three-way planar design therefore has to choose between a jarring speed bump as it transitions to cones at its lower crossover point, or deploy a large, low-mass driver and forgo something of viscerally energising quality cones deliver. A lightweight driver specifically covering the 80-250Hz range is therefore an essential requirement for a speaker of this type. Locating it immediately beneath and in line with the planar array also pushes phase and timing issues down to the sub-80Hz region, where there are more easily dealt with.
However, it would be wrong to think that the addition of a midbass driver good for at least 80Hz means that ‘any old’ sub-80Hz solution would be acceptable. The standard set by the detail retrieval and naturalness of these low-mass drivers demands open-baffle subwoofers capable of going low cleanly and musically. All five options do so, with varying degrees of ‘room-energising’ mojo and frequency extension. Two of these are also suitable for home theatre duty.
Finally there are several advantages to having the freedom to locate subwoofers somewhat distant from high frequency drivers. First, it’s rare that the strongest bass response is obtainable from the same spot as the one mandated by placement of tweeters to obtain a correct soundstage at the listening position(s).
Second, it opens the possibility of installing the subwoofer components in an ‘infinite’ baffle, or a dividing wall – where they will usually perform better than in a free-standing cabinet or frame. All our Planar series can be installed in this way where appropriate – and can even be doubled up (giving a total of 8x 15″ drivers) for twice the displacement and bass impact. Please call for details on 01242 692455.
Common Specification:
Fully isolated construction: each high frequency driver is air-gapped.
Constrained layer-damped cabinets for bass drivers.
Single 12″ midbass driver
Dual planar midrange drivers
Dual planar tweeters
4x 125W + 4x 250W Hypex amplification (1.6kW total)
‘Theatre’ models feature 4x 125W + 4x500W Hypex amplification (2.6kW total)
Active crossovers with full DSP and room correction.
Multimode listening presets (for high and low SPL)
Digital inputs (AES and SPDIF) – included DAC is 115dB SNR.
Analog inputs (RCA and true balanced XLR)
Remote control.
Tops – Width: 260mm / Height: 1245mm / Depth: 465mm
Dual 12″ Sub – Width: 425mm / Height: 730mm / Depth: 425mm (Planar 1393)
Dual 15″ Subs – Width: 525mm / Height: 850mm / Depth: 535mm (all other models)
Planar 2159 – £5,600 per pair (inc VAT)
The cheapest Planar model features a dual 15-inch subwoofer extending to 35Hz. As the displacement figure indicates, the 2159 is better able to energise a larger space, but gives up some frequency extension relative to the similarly-priced Planar 1393.
Planar 1393 – £5,800 per pair (inc VAT)
The smallest Planar model features a co-locatable dual 12-inch subwoofer extending to 25Hz. Preferable to the Planar 2159 in a smaller room.
Planar 3927 Theatre – £7,500 per pair (inc VAT)
The Planar model with the most monstrous displacement is able to handle any audio requirement, and live as the subwoofer component of a home theatre too. The dual 15″ Planar 3927 extends to at least 25Hz (±3dB) in room, and can also be installed as an infinite baffle.
Planar 3264 Theatre – £8,700 per pair (inc VAT)
The Planar model with the lowest frequency extension can’t quite match the 3927 for displacement, but this dual 15″ model digs below 20Hz with ease, and can also be installed in an infinite baffle.
Planar 2841 Concert – £9,200 per pair (inc VAT)
The most expensive Planar is neither reaches the lowest (a nonetheless respectable 23Hz), nor is it the most palpable (compared to the Theatre models), but it is the most articulate and detailed, featuring a unique 15″ driver in an opposed-mount H-frame.