Previous coaxial designs, while promising, have had problems. The compression driver diaphragm and woofer voice coil are widely separated, resulting in significant distance/time anomalies. The excursion of the woofer modulates the high frequencies, resulting in sonic artifacts that get worse as the driver gets louder (and the woofer cone excursion increases). The sound character changes dramatically with output level.
In contrast, the CoActual driver employed in StudioLive AI-series loudspeakers uses a single magnet structure, shared by the woofer and compression driver. This results in a much more compact, lightweight assembly. This magnet structure also keeps the compression-driver diaphragm located in close proximity to the woofer voice coil. With CoActual transducers, a purpose-built high-frequency horn is used for high frequency pattern control and to keep the HF energy off of the woofer cone.
The woofer’s larger radiating surface works in conjunction with the HF horn to improve directional control at the bottom of the horn’s operating range. This increases directional control beyond what can be accomplished by the horn alone.
At the low-frequency end of its range, a coaxial horn “leaks” sound back onto the woofer cone. This reflects forward, out of time, and produces tonal colorations that don’t respond to conventional EQ. That’s where Fulcrum Acoustic’s ingenious (but extremely processor-intensive) DSP algorithms come in. TQ™ eliminates horn reflections, and therefore eliminates these colorations and spatial variability, removing one of the primary shortcomings of competitors’ designs. It allows high-efficiency bass transducers to cover the vocal range.
PreSonus’ cutting edge Active Integration DSP allows StudioLive AI loudspeakers to reap the benefits of TQ algorithms. It’s what enables AI loudspeakers to deliver clarity and coherence that has previously only been available in ultra-high-end systems.
