Pair Vitavox S2 Compression drivers / Speakers

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Original Pair of the best of the best, Vitavox Ty pe S2 /HF Compression drive units For the conoisseur, they don't need any introduction : These are held by many as one of the finest and best sounding compression drivers ever made. The previous owner had these for 8 years. They were bought from Paul Maccallum at Wembley loudspeakers in West London. I bought them 3 years ago in the UK. They were cleaned and serviced, and served me flawlessly during this time in a state-of-the art 5 way full horn, frontloaded setup. They are in very good external and internal condition. T he DIAPHRAGM'S are in excellent condition, work perfectly and sound wonderful . They have plastic surrounds, which perform sweeter in the higher frequency range, compared to the diaphragm with metal suspension. They sound fantastic on the massive MDF LeCleac'h Fc 400hz horn ( See my other auction ), and specially combined with Coral H104 alnico tweeters ( see my other auction ). Since i like to try out new things, its time now for these to go. Serial number of the first driver is 3483 . At the second driver, the chrome plate with serial number is missing. Of all the amazing quality Vitavox products manufactured probably the most distinguished and prized of them all is the venerable S2 driver. The Vitavox S2 driver was first produced in the early 1950’s for high quality sound reproduction in cinemas. Its use spread to other areas of audio where high-grade sound reproduction was of the highest importance, including; laboratories, recording studios, and in the finest home hi-fidelity systems. The S2 was made in the heart of an era when technology was advanced and companies were producing products to be the best, not just good enough. Today it has been called the greatest mid-range driver by some, and as a personal owner of anything worthy of comparison I feel it is claim that is very hard to dispute. The design of the S2 is remarkable in form-and-function. One look at any part and detail of the driver and it is easy to see, no corners were cut. It utilizes a very large, high-efficiency, Alnico V magnet fashioned to deliver a high flux density directly into the larger-than-normal 3” diameter gap. The magnetic material takes the form of a tubular center pole resulting in a minimum external field and low losses. The lightweight aluminum alloy diaphragm is fitted with a large diameter voice coil so that the maximum displacement is small, enabling the depth of the magnetic gap to be restricted. This concentrates the field and ensures that the coil is operating in a constant flux throughout its movement, thus avoiding non-linear distortion. The width of the voice coil gap is maintained within fine limits by the use of an accurately machined locator registering the top plate with relation to the pole assembly and making it impossible for the dimensions of the gap to be accidentally disturbed. The phase plug of the S2 is extraordinarily unique and very effective in preserving the correct phase relationship between sound waves generated at different points of the diaphragm and avoiding cancelation of high frequencies. The sum of these design aspects directly influence the sound of the S2 driver. When coupled to the appropriate horn the Vitavox S2’s sound is amongst the most refined of any horn driver available, from any era. It is rated to handle frequencies from 200Hz to 16 kHz and can be used in a 2-way configuration, though it is particularly “magical” in the all-important mid-range region from 500Hz-12 kHz. This particular set of S2 drivers were utilized in an elaborate 5-way full frontloaded horn system built by me 3 years ago. The reproduction of this mid band depicts all the desirable qualities of a horn; emotionally involving, unmatched dynamic impact and first-rate transient response, yet with a degree of sonic refinement, naturalness, and aural detail delineation akin to the finest ESL designs. It has tremendously smooth and effortless response with clarity even while it delivers high sound pressure levels. Winner pays shipping costs .... read more

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