Features
| Brand | PS Audio |
|---|
Product Description
PS Audio FR20 speakers are a more compact alternative to the FR30 speakers in the Aspen series culminating fifty years of knowhow in audio. They have been designed to set new standards in audio reproduction and this more compact FR20 allows more people to experience the artistry of a high-end speaker.
The FR20 was designed from the ground up with PS audio designed, woofers, radiators, midrange units and tweeters. This reference speaker also features a no compromise, phase correct crossover and a cabinet that does not colour the sound.
The tweeters and midrange are a planar magnetic design. As a result, they provide low distortion and great dynamics. Notably, Bass is handled by two 8” woofers, that have carbon fibre cones. There are also two 10” passive radiators, that extend the bass down to 28Hz.
Stunning Design
Designing a loudspeaker that is transparent to the user needs years of experience. The most difficult job is creating a seamless, phase-correct, output from a set of different driver technologies. Few models have ever achieved a true flat and wide frequency response. However, the FR20 has a genuine, 28Hz to Beyond 20kHz, response, with no peaks and troughs. The result is a speaker with grace, dynamics and slam. What is on the disc is exactly what you hear. Moreover, placement of a speaker is important and the FR20 comes with a setup guide and CD, that will help you to get the best out of it.
The drivers
Over the years many different technologies have been used in loudspeaker design. Electrostatics for detail, conventional drivers for dynamics and ribbon tweeters for dispersion. PS audio have used the strategy of utilising the best of all possible driver and crossover technologies, to make the perfect speaker.
Planar magnetic tweeters and midrange
Tweeters need to move air at high frequencies, without colouration or distortion. As a result, PS Audio designed a set of planar magnetic drivers. These have the speed of an electrostatic, with the dynamics of a cone. They work by having front and rear magnetic structures, that have inherent linearity, through symmetrical push-pull neodymium magnets. Moreover, the low mass diaphragms do not suffer from cone breakup. The result is less distortion as well as no inductance modulation.
Two 8” woofers
For the bass frequencies, two 8” long throw high excursion woofers are provided. They have massive 20Kg motor structures that drive the cones with the same effortlessness as the planar magnetic tweeter and midrange.
Distortion is lowered by having a unique split magnetic gap, and a double Faraday ring, for low inductance and a wide bandwidth. Moreover, the spider is made of Nomex with stitched-in lead wires. Finally, the woofer cones are made of a low-mass PMI foam core with a carbon fibre skin. To extend the bass even more there are two high compliance 10” passive radiators, that fire to the sides.
The enclosure
The FR20 enclosure is a stunning piece of design, with the internal structure needed for a great sound. Moreover, the design is by the famed Studio 63. The FR20 stands proud as a modern speaker that will fit in with any décor. The outside of the cabinet is lovingly finished with 20 coats of hand-rubbed, high grade piano gloss Lacquer. Internally, the FR20 has extensive bracing, that minimises vibration. Furthermore, the sculpted front baffle is made of a dense, and well damped thermoset fibreglass resin. This also has built in high frequency acoustic waveguides.
The design seems to be floating on the curved and sturdy aluminium base. The base features large milled brass spikes that have removable tips. They also have integrated plastic feet for hard surfaces.
