Vivid B1
A serious rethinking of dynamic loudspeaker design
Manufacturer Web site
The Vivid Audio B1 sits approximately in the middle of their product lineup. It is a mid size floor stander utilizing 4 drivers in a 3 1/2 way design. They are a standout both visually and sonically from today's standard cones in a wood box design. The technology implemented in the design of the B-1 is equally, if not more impressive than the stunning aesthetics. To offer a quick overview of the design:
Monocoque carbon fiber loaded polyester compound enclosure
Reaction canceling mounted Bass drivers
Simply put, the bass drivers are mouned on the front and back of the enclosure. They are not mounted directly to the enclosure, rather they are joined rigidly together at the magnet structure by a tensioning rod. This serves to keep the drivers in the cabinet, and since the drivers receive an identical signal below 100hz, the vibrational forces normally transmitted to the enclosure cancel each other. No motion below 100 Hz is transmitted to the enclosure, resulting in extremely clean bass output.
In addition, the drivers are further decoupled by rubber O-rings that sit under each driver mounting rim.
Reaction Cancelling ports
Two symmetrical identical ports cancel cabinet reactions much like the opposite mounting of the bass drivers.
Tapered tube loaded chambers for Midrange and High Frequency drivers
Replacing the standard magnet in the midrange and tweeter with an external ring, leaving a "hole" behind the driver diaphragm, and allowing back wave pressure from the motion of the driver to flow throw this hole into a long tapered tube filled with damping material eliminates resonance issues and allows for the sound to eminate from the front surface of the driver unhindered.
Vivid Audio White Papers
|
B1 Specifications |
|
|
| Configuration |
 |
|
|
3 & 1/2 way vented cabinet |
| Cabinet material |
Complex loaded carbon fibre filled polymer |
| Finish |
High gloss automotive |
| Drive units |
26mm metal dome hf unit |
|
50mm metal dome mf unit |
|
158mm metal coned lf unit (two of coupled) |
| Sensitivity |
89dB/1w @1m |
| Nominal Impedance (?) |
4 |
| Frequency range (hz) |
6dB points 35 - 44,000 |
| Frequency response (hz) |
39 to 41,000 +/- 2dB on reference axis |
| Harmonic distortion (2nd and 3 rd harmonics) |
< .0.5% over frequency range |
| Cross over frequencies (hz) |
100, 900, 4000 |
| Power handling (music program) watts rms |
300 |
| Loudspeaker dimensions (H, W, D cabinet, D base) mm |
1095, 265, 375, 420 |
| Net mass (kg) |
38 |
| Shipping dimensions (H, W, D) mm |
1220, 410, 510 |
| Shipping mass (kg) |
110 lbs (50) |
