Housed in these extraordinary cabinets, is an impressive array
of drivers including Mordaunt-Short's proprietary ATT™ (Aspirated Tweeter
Technology) tweeter.
This elongated metal diffuser – whose form is defined
by complex acoustic principles – floats freely in a discrete enclosure.
Along its length are strategically positioned vents eliminating the colouration
which plagues traditional closed-back designs.
This unique venting system means Performance’s high frequency
drivers literally ‘breathe’, resulting in an open yet detailed sound.
This diffused tweeter is isolated and suspended from the cabinet for huge audible
benefit.
Unconstrained by conventional cabinets, the tweeter floats freely
from the rest of the loudspeaker.
25mm aluminium dome tweeter
The pinnacle of Mordaunt Short's two-decade experience of pioneering
aluminium dome technology, the Performance tweeter offers excellent dynamics
over a wide frequency range.
The whole tweeter assembly is isolated from any residual cabinet
vibration through a rubber jacket. This allows the tweeter assembly to operate
entirely independently from the rest of the speaker while the high mass of the
assembly ensures that it remains at rest while the diaphragm operates without
any external forces. The sense of space and clarity of image is proof that we
have achieved our goal.
Performance 100mm mid-range featuring SDS technology
The midrange driver chassis makes use of Sound Deadening Steel
(SDS), a technology that helps Performance deliver its beautifully clear midrange.
With this treatment, a natural moulded polymer encapsulates
driver chassis, eliminating resonance effects that are particularly prevalent
at this part of the frequency range. The mid-range driver mountings use smaller
Neodymium magnets to limit proximity colouration and also offer higher dynamic
levels.
The unique Performance mid-range features the latest in Neodymium
motor design developed using FEA (Final Element Analysis) techniques. This design
incorporates integral heat sinking to lower thermal compression effects.
Performance 165mm woofer
Latest generation CPC™ technology
The 16.5cm (6.5") Continuous Profile Cone (CPC) woofers
were specifically developed for the Performance Series. Techniques developed
for the Avant Series were extended to accommodate the larger diaphragms used
here. Radial ribbing was furthered and the unique 5-pointed subcone was employed
for this larger diameter voice coil.
CPC™ (Continuous Profile Cone) technology produces precise,
predictable performance by ensuring controlled piston-like movement at low frequencies,
and minimal break-up at higher frequencies.
Aerospace technology viscous coupling
Star formation polymer viscous coupling, provides the most effective
means of coupling the cone to voice coil without hindering its movement.
Variable V-profile roll surround
The cone edge is coupled via Mordaunt-Short’s™ V-Form™
technologies. This employs an innovative mechanical connection increasing radiating
area and aiding structural rigidity. The surround itself varies in thickness,
aiding accurate, pistonic operation and allowing the dish to operate freely,
delivering huge benefits in timing performance.
An all-new group of enhancements were realised under the umbrella
of V-Form technologies. A reverse gradient at the edge of the diaphragm was
perfected, allowing for an ideal impedance differential into the surround.
Bespoke die-cast chassis
A new die-cast chassis was designed for Performance that shows
phenomenal rigidity and resistance to vibration across the bandwidth it used.
Within the magnet assembly itself, the gap has been optimised through extensive
modelling and measurement of linearity and frequency bandwidth. The result is
an assembly constructed of many different materials with a very linear flux
field and minimized third harmonic distortion.
The voice coil therefore sees equal force over a wider range
of excursion and can operate to a higher frequency due to lower inductance.
All woofers use titanium voice coil formers for supreme strength to weight ratio
with good heat dissipation. The voice coil wire itself is copper coated aluminium,
further reducing the moving mass and hence improving dynamics.
Performance crossover
A computer-modelled crossover using ultimate quality components
selected only after rigorous evaluation of all available high-end options.
To reduce distortion to an absolute minimum, an exhaustive project
was conducted with several outcomes implemented. These include a mechanically
isolated crossover with high quality polypropylene capacitors in critical circuit
paths. To further this effect, we included the finest British and German developed
resistors.
These and many other numerous technological additions help make
for a crossover which offers incredibly low levels of distortion and allows
for the purest possible sound.
Completing the elegant cabinets, are matching nickel-plated,
bullet terminals offering flexible connection – via banana plugs, bare
cable or spade terminals.
