Jadis JPL MkII/SE300B & DeVore Fidelity O/96 Tube Amp/Speaker System Lab Report: DeVore Orangutan O/96

Lab Report: DeVore Orangutan O/96

DeVore rates the O/96's sensitivity at a high 96dB/W/m but also its nominal impedance as 10ohm which brings the specification closer to 95dB at the more usual 2.83V/1m – this was nearly met on test at 93.8dB/1kHz although the mean from 500Hz-8kHz is a lower 91.5dB. The latter reflects the O/96's strong lower midrange but mild depression through presence and lower treble [see Graph 1]. Importantly, this high sensitivity is not achieved at the expense of a punishing load, and a genuine 8ohm nominal is warranted here.

Optimum response is achieved some 6in above the tweeter axis – or head height for the 'average' listening position – where the errors amount to a moderate ±4.8dB (200Hz-20kHz). Pair matching is excellent at ±0.4dB (aside from a short-lived blip of 0.75dB/4.2kHz) but the magnetically-attached, fabric-wrapped frame grille brings its own influence, including the –3.6dB dip also at 4.2kHz and further loss through the presence and treble [blue trace, Graph 1]. Some minor resonances were detected on the impedance/phase spectra at 130-650Hz and two linked to the 10in pulp bass/mid cone at 1.7kHz and 2.4kHz (crossover) are visible on both the forward response and the CSD waterfall [Graph 2] although THD through this critical region is exceptionally low at <0.1% (re. 90dB SPL). Aside from a –3dB dip at 450Hz – visible on both corrected nearfield and farfield responses and as a 'bump' on both impedance/phase plots – the bass unit has a flat and extended output, augmented by the clean 43Hz tuning of its two rear-firing ports to yield a steeply rolled-off but deep bass extension of 37Hz (–6dB re. 200Hz). PM

521system.labsp1

Response inc. nearfield summed driver/port [green], freefield corrected to 1m at 2.83V [yellow], ultrasonic [pink]. Left, black; right, red; w. grille, blue

521system.labsp2

Modes associated with the bass/mid cone are present at 1.7kHz and 2.4kHz but treble is very clean

Sensitivity (SPL/1m/2.83V – 1kHz/Mean/IEC) 93.8dB / 91.5dB / 89.3dB
Impedance modulus: minimum & maximum (20Hz–20kHz) 7.15ohm @ 190Hz, 108ohm @ 20Hz
Impedance phase: minimum & maximum (20Hz–20kHz) –63° @ 73Hz, +52° @ 53Hz
Pair matching/Resp. error (200Hz–20kHz) 0.75dB/ ±4.9dB/±4.7dB
LF/HF extension (–6dB ref 200Hz/10kHz) 37Hz / 19.3kHz/19.7kHz
THD 100Hz/1kHz/10kHz (for 90dB SPL/1m) 0.5% / 0.08% / 0.5%
Dimensions (HWD inc stand) / Weight (each) 902x457x254mm / 25kg
Price £13,500 (speakers)

COMPANY INFO
Jadis, Villedubert, Fr. and DeVore Fidelity, NY, USA
Supplied by: Absolute Sounds Ltd
0208 971 3909
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