The Varys Series effectively upscales the bass response of the Mesa Series for those with rooms capable of accommodating a 550mm wide cabinet.
It would be more accurate to say that the Mesa models are downsized version of Varys, because Varys came first: the high frequency drivers used with Varys were chosen to match the dual 15-inch bass drivers deployed in the larger models: when used in Mesa Series, they have be constrained to keep pace with the 10-inch drivers required by the smaller cabinets. Here, they’re let off the leash.
Four models are available: at the top end, choose between the dynamic capability of a horn speaker or the transparency and tonal purity of a planar; at lower frequencies the choice is simpler: within the same footprint you simply pay more for more – greater control, excursion and extension – courtesy of better engineered bass drivers. The model numbers again denote displacement.
Varys 1884-H | £3,300
The base Varys model is a powerhouse capable of energising large rooms, with a total of four 15-inch woofers per pair, complemented by ultra low-distortion PA drivers. A speaker with this specification is often crude and ragged, but careful parts selection and the civilising control of full DSP ensures the presentation is always refined. This is a great open-baffle speaker for rock and pop, with wide dispersion.
Specification:
H-frame plywood sandwich (constrained layer) construction with air-spaced planar drivers
Dual 15-inch ferrite bass drivers with paper cones
Dual planar midrange drivers
Dual planar tweeter
Three-way design with LR12 crossover at 300Hz and LR24 crossover at 1250Hz
Frequency response: 38Hz-20,000Hz ±3dB
2x 125W + 1x 100W amplification per channel as standard,
upgradeable to 2x 250W + 1x 100W (+ £300 per pair)
Digital (SPDIF and AES/EBU) and analog (RCA and XLR) inputs
Dimensions: W: 300mm | H: 1100mm | D: 380mm
Weight: 30kg per speaker (net)
Varys 1884.P | £4,200
The Planar version of the Varys 1884 deploys the same dual 15-inch bass drivers, but sounds entirely different: extremely transparent, with pinpoint imaging thanks to its 2×2 array of planar midrange drivers and tweeters positioned precisely at ear height. This true dipole offers the sound of high end electrostatic speakers and headphones, with one similar drawback: the optimal listening area is relatively localised. Although the sound is natural and room-filling, occupants of the two-seater sofa in the sweet spot enjoy shockingly holographic experiences.
Specification:
H-frame plywood construction (constrained layer damped)
Dual 15-inch ferrite bass drivers with paper cones
Single 8-inch ferrite midrange driver with paper cone
Single 1-inch compression driver mated to 80×60° constant directivity horn
Three-way design with LR12 crossover at 300Hz and LR24 crossover at 1250Hz
Frequency response: 38Hz-20,000Hz ±3dB
2x 125W + 1x 100W amplification per channel as standard,
upgradeable to 2x 250W + 1x 100W (+ £300 per pair)
Digital (SPDIF and AES/EBU) and analog (RCA and XLR) inputs
Dimensions: W: 300mm | H: 1100mm | D: 380mm
Weight: 32kg per speaker (net)
Varys 2771.H | £4,400
The Varys 2771 models – as the name indicates – have a bass driver displacement approximately 50% larger than the 1884 versions. The driver credited with the upgrade not only delivers more palpable and energising bass, but it’s also more linear and detailed in its upper registers – with significantly lower inductance, higher sensitivity and a more powerful motor. This unlocks another 2-3dB of headroom on the 2771 models. However, apart from the improved engineering of its bass drivers and corollary improvements, Varys 2771.H is identical to Varys 1884.H – even better for large rooms and big drama.
Specification:
H-frame plywood construction (constrained layer damped)
Dual 15-inch ferrite bass drivers with paper cones
Single 8-inch ferrite midrange driver with paper cone
Single 1-inch compression driver mated to 80×60° constant directivity horn
Three-way design with LR12 crossover at 300Hz and LR24 crossover at 1250Hz
Frequency response: 38Hz-20,000Hz ±3dB
2x 250W + 1x 100W amplification per channel
Digital (SPDIF and AES/EBU) and analog (RCA and XLR) inputs
Dimensions: W: 300mm | H: 1100mm | D: 380mm
Weight: 32kg per speaker (net)
Varys 2771.P | £5,300
Varys 2771.P is specified identically to Varys 1884.P with one crucial detail: 50% more bass driver replacement courtesy of upgraded, higher-sensitivity 15-inch woofers. Total output is the same as Varys 1884.P but the 2771.P is tuned to dig 3dB lower and sounds better controlled and more palpable.
Specification:
H-frame plywood construction (constrained layer damped)
Dual 15-inch ferrite bass drivers with paper cones
Single 8-inch ferrite midrange driver with paper cone
Single 1-inch compression driver mated to 80×60° constant directivity horn
Three-way design with LR12 crossover at 300Hz and LR24 crossover at 1250Hz
Frequency response: 38Hz-20,000Hz ±3dB
2x 250W + 1x 100W amplification per channel
Digital (SPDIF and AES/EBU) and analog (RCA and XLR) inputs
Dimensions: W: 300mm | H: 1100mm | D: 380mm
Weight: 32kg per speaker (net)