Epoque Reference

The flagship product Epoque Reference sets the ultimate benchmark for loudspeakers.

The core of our flagship Epoque Reference represents the “Carbon Excellence” bending wave driver that is based on the patented bending wave technology by Göbel. This “Carbon Excellence” bending wave driver is based on the principals of instrumental sound reproduction and is the result of over 15 years of development that we invested in order to achieve the most natural sound possible.

In order to also achieve an absolute homogeneous sound dispersion and stimulation of the room modes within the low frequency range the Epoque Reference is additionally equipped with 12 custom built 7 inch long throw bass drivers. These symmetrically arranged bass drivers are specifically located on the front and the back and are impulse compensated to create an absolute smooth transition of the „Carbon Excellence“ bending wave driver`s broad frequency range to the low frequencies of the custom built bass drivers.

The purely functional design with well-defined shaping`s and the use of specific aluminum alloys together with our special high density composite materials eliminate any diffractions, resonances and energy saving effects.

Carbon Excellence Bending Wave Driver Front Dispersion

The world wide unique Göbel Carbon Excellence bending wave driver covers the enormous bandwidth from 170 Hz to 31.000 Hz with a constantly frontside dispersion of nearly 180 degrees. Through this the Epoque Reference is the most coherent speaker that completely avoids time and phase problems from the outset. Additionally the phase velocity on the membrane is always faster than in air. Through this the sound is unbelievable fast with the highest in resolution and without any indication of efforts even at high volumes. In addition to that the almost non existing mass of the GÖBEL bending wave membrane completely avoids problems caused by mass inertia such as impulse deadening which always occurs in conventional loudspeaker systems.

Carbon Excellence Bending Wave Driver Rear Dispersion

In the Epoque Reference the patented Göbel Carbon Excellence bending wave driver also has a rear side dispersion of nearly 180 degrees constantly through the bandwidth from 170 Hz to around 4.000 Hz, which actually enables a realistic soundstage and an uncolorationed sound even if your are not sitting in the sweet spot. In addition to this, the Carbon Excellence bending wave driver has no rear enclosure. This avoids any compression or coloration from the outset, which were caused by reflections of enclosures within this most important frequency range. You will experience this in an absolute natural, free and uncolorationed sound reproduction without any resonances.

Lossless Bass Drivers

In order to get a perfectly smooth transition of the patented Göbel Carbon Excellence bending wave driver to the low frequency drivers we had to develop incredibly fast and absolutely linear bass drivers for the Epoque series. The motor systems are optimized to the maximum linearisation of the magnet field in both directions of the extremely high excursion area in order to get the lowest and smoothest possible harmonic distorsion spectrum. Additionally all materials we use here are second to none in order to get the minimum possible loss factors and the fastest impulse behavior. Only to sum a few: Glasfiber voice coils, extremely lossless spiders and gaskets, extensive ventilation, extremely rigid aluminum membranes, …

Multiple Bass Array

In order to get an even more accurate and fast bass response we use a multiple array of bass drivers. These special bass drivers are mounted in a particular array on the front and the rear-side of the enclosure in order to activate the room modes completely uniformly. Also we of course had to adapt the outstanding dispersion behavior of the Carbon Excellence bending wave driver to the low frequencies. Additionally in terms of maximum sound pressure level you have to move a lot of air when the frequency goes down. Therefore the surface area sum of the bass drivers for a pair of Epoque Reference is greater than the surface area of 4 pcs 12 inch woofers but with much more coherency and speed.

Ultra rigid Sandwich Enclosure

The enclosure of the Epoque Reference is an absolute non-compromise design, where all our knowledge about material resonances where applied. Based on our bending wave technology, we certainly know exactly how to manage surface waves on enclosure materials so they doesn’t even start to arise. For the Epoque Reference we only use our proprietary multilayered composite material in combination with a special aluminum alloy in order to prevent any resonances in the working areas of each driver. Through this ultra rigid combination of materials we also avoid any energy saving effects. You will experience this in an unbelievable uncolorationed sound reproduction with tremendous attack and speed in front of an absolute silent background.

Totally Isolated Crossover

The meticulous selected crossover network parts are housed totally isolated in the resonance optimized bottom plate in order to protect them against air pressure differences and resonance patterns, which always happens in loudspeaker enclosures. Additionally the crossover-path for the bending wave loudspeaker and the crossover-path for the bass drivers are located in completely separated chambers to avoid any crosstalk, electro-magnetic couplings, or any other interferences between them. Herein each network component is hand wired point-to-point to avoid parasitic effects of pc-board type construction. Finally all crossover parts are moulded with a special damping epoxy to avoid any microphonic effects. You will experience all these efforts in an unbelievable natural sound reproduction which must be heard to believe.

Impulse Compensation

Additionally these ultra lossless bass drivers are mounted impulse compensated in the enclosure of the Epoque Reference. Through this additional technology and based on the usage of our proprietary ultra rigid sandwich enclosure materials, the harmonic distorsions and material resonances are once again reduce to nearly one tenth part. You will experience this in an even higher resolution, effortlessness and even quicker transient response in the bass and sub-bass area.

Principle

Bending wave loudspeaker with impulse compensated bass section

Drivers

Patented Göbel Carbon Excellence bending wave driver
4 massive 7 inch aluminum longthrow bass drivers
8 massive 7 inch aluminum longthrow passive drivers

Housing

Acoustical optimized multilayered composite material
massive aluminum acoustical baffles
middle element completely made out of massive aluminum

Standard finishes

High glossy brilliant white with aluminum parts
lacquer anodized in natural semi gloss
High glossy brilliant black with aluminum parts lacquer
anodized in space grey semi gloss

Impedance

nominal 4 Ohm
Impedance minimum in single-wiring 1,5 ohm at 170 Hz
Impedance minimum in bi-amping 2,1 ohm at 170 Hz

Efficiency

86 dB / 1 W / 1 m

Crossover frequency

170 Hz

Frequency response

28 Hz – 31.0000 Hz

Dispersion range

about 180° front side: 28 Hz – 31.000 Hz
about 180° rear side: 28 Hz – 4.000 Hz

Dimensions

base plate: 43,6 cm width x 55,7 cm depth
total height: 203 cm

Weight

180 Kg without packaging
220 Kg including flight case packaging