Two new pairs of Børresen Acoustics speakers were on demo: a top-tier stand-mounted M-1 (above) and the company's first entry-point model, the X-3 floorstander (bottom photo). Their cabinets' form factors closely resemble the maker's current models but drivers and materials differ. The X-3's newly designed "low-noise" drivers have diaphragms made of spread-tow carbon fiber in a checkerboard-like lattice pattern. Evidently the lattice work helps with uniform (low) mass. It's also very stiff—Børresen asked me to try to bend a sample cone; I couldn't. These cones are labor-intensive to make. For now, they're manufactured in-house in the company's Denmark factory but this cone production will move to Germany soon, Børresen said. A quick impression: Sound seemed precise, clean and clear, but not thin.
At the other extreme, the M-1 is "the best we can do" I was told—their bleeding edge. The M-1's silver driver is housed in "a topology-optimized basket made from zirconium," Børresen told me. A quick listen to those stand-mounts showed remarkable low-end extension with solid definition and control. And by "showed" I also mean literally: It was cool to see the drivers' excursions pumping out the deep beats and heavy pulses on an EDM digital track.
Exact MSRPs for these new speakers are TBD but the X-3 floorstander could retail in the $11,000/pair range; the M-1 around $100,000/pair (including stands). The company anticipates shipping to begin in the Fall, probably in October.
Aavik Acoustics introduced a line of three new amplification components at the show. A new Aavik I-880 integrated amplifier (above) rested on a stand between the two active demo rooms. Its heatsinks dipped slightly in a shallow curve in the center of the chassis. The new amp is said to put out 200 watts (into 8 ohms) of class-A power. The output devices are never switching, Børresen said, though he called the design "different" class-A. It's still linear, but his approach is reported to produce less heat and operate more efficiently. Of course it's more complicated than this, but essentially he increased the bias current, allowing more current headroom, to make sure the bias spread stays stable across all (dynamic) conditions.
Two designers' signatures graced a plate on top—one belonging to Flemming Rasmussen, best known as Gryphon's designer and founder (though he no longer owns that company), the other to Børresen.
A second room showed new separates: a C-880 preamplifier and an P-880 power amplifier (above) alongside a couple of 580 series componentsseen at AXPONA 2022. The Aavik P-880 outputs 250Wpc of class-A power and can deliver up to 62A of instant current to handle dynamic swings, Børresen said. Lars Kristensen of Aavik (and Børresen and Ansuz) was on-hand presenting demos. Various Ansuz Acoustics cables joined the setups' components. This quick unexpected stop on Sunday was a worthwhile one.
Log in or register to post comments COMMENTS That top photo is awesome. Submitted by Anton on June 6, 2022 - 10:39am It's very Escher-like! Log in or register to post comments Thanks! Submitted by Julie Mullins on June 10, 2022 - 9:42am It did turn out a bit odd. But in a good way I suppose. Log in or register to post comments
It did turn out a bit odd. But in a good way I suppose.