Loudspeakers

ELAC’s VXe ‘ring radiator’ of six ultra-compact A-XR (Aluminium – eXtended Range) midrange drivers, surrounding its latest JET 6c AMT tweeter, underpins a concept already trialled in a few high-end speaker solutions. For example, Monitor Audio’s Hyphn flagship [HFN Jun ’23] showcases its ‘M-Array’ where six 50mm RDT III midrange drivers are positioned around a bespoke implementation of its third-generation Micro Pleated Diaphragm (MPD) tweeter. Similarly, both ELAC and MA designs also bear comparison with the ‘nest’ of carbon-ply domes and central beryllium tweeter of Perlisten’s DPC (Directivity Pattern Control) waveguide [HFN Apr ’22].

While none of these driver clusters are true coaxial/single-point arrays like KEF’s famous Uni-Q driver – they are better described as co-planar – the symmetry of the layout [see picture below] does hold out the promise of consistent horizontal and vertical dispersion. However, compared with the symmetrical dome tweeter used by Perlisten, the AMT drivers at the core of both MA’s M-Array and ELAC’s VXe array typically have a wider horizontal than vertical dispersion, but that’s a trade-off for improved HF power handling and lower distortion.

Unlike with the MA Hyphn and KEF Blade One Meta [HFN May ’22], ELAC makes no specific claims for its VXe technology being a ‘point source’. Neither does it place its force-cancelling bass drivers up close to the acoustic centre of the mid/treble array. Instead, ELAC has another trick up its sleeve – the ability to tailor the speaker’s direct and off-axis output to optimise performance where the M 807s are placed close to side walls or in rooms with an irregular shape. A five-position switch on the rear of the cabinet [see p49] invokes alternate crossover arms to shift the relative output of the A-XR mid drivers on the left and right sides of the baffle, respectively. But while ELAC’s directivity control was designed to increase or reduce off-axis output to suit room boundary conditions, it is also perfectly suited to optimise the M 807’s subjective sound quality in more ideal situations [see PM's Lab Report]. PM