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Gilmore Audio planars revealed

The Gilmore Audio speaker have finally been photographed for the world to see: Gilmore Audio

Disclaimer - I'm a dealer for the Gilmores, though at this point I'm still awaiting my first pair, as they haven't begun shipping yet.

The Gilmores push the edge of the envelope for planar technology in several areas. Innovations include an extremely thin (3 mil) Kapton diaphragm; bass extension to below 20 Hz; easy 8-ohm load combined with 92 dB efficiency (you can drive 'em with Atma-Sphere M-60's!); and maximum output level in the mid to upper 120's.

Designer Mark Gilmore is the webmaster of the Atma-Sphere Owner's Group website, as well as of the Sound Lab Owner's Group site. He's been around for a while, but this is his first commercial loudspeaker design (to the best of my knowledge).

I haven't heard 'em yet so can't comment on the sound (I know, that's all that really matters after all). I'm expecting a pair before the end of the year, and will post comments then.

Duke
audiokinesis
sellerwithintegrity
23 posts
 
This is not a sensitivity measurement. I am sorry that you are having difficulty believing this claim, but very simply it is true -- compression has to do with when, despite the fact that you are adding power, the speaker doesn't get any louder. This "compression point" on the Gilmore AUdio speakers is 127dB.
sellerwithintegrity
23 posts
 
Neat stuff. We'll see what the future brings. Roger West's M1's membrane is .1 mil (point one mil) thick. A very reasonable target to shoot for. But you do agree that the membrane can be lighter than the total mass of the air it moves. You agree with this, correct? Also, it would take a lot of helium to get those 180 lb a piece Model 2's to liftoff.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
OK how much do they cost (L&Rs, I KNOW how much the center channel goes for and I can't afford it...the divorce that is ;~).
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Sellerwithintegrity,

No, I don't agree with your lame conclusion. By that same logic your furnace is lighter than air too. Read your first post where you state that this particular ribbon isn't actually lighter than air but the next one will be. High end audio is filled with this type of marketing hype. Call it what you want but to me it's snake oil sales tactics. Again, these may be great speakers (we'll see) but this is an over the top claim which promises to bring snickers from anyone with a small amount of scientific knowledge. My guess is that you'll get beat up pretty badly in your own showroom if you stick with this pitch.
metralla
945 posts
 
But you do agree that the membrane can be lighter than the total mass of the air it moves.

A confusing statement. In a longitudinal wave (such as a sound wave), molecules of "air" are displaced from a median position by varying amounts producing regions of compression (as the membrane moves forward) and rarefaction (as the membrane moves backwards) along the axis of propagation. The molecules end up where they started once the wave has passed. The wave moves - the air does not.

The very basis of a wave is the transmission of energy without the transport of matter.

I agree that it is desirable to have a membrane with as low a mass as possible without sacrificing stiffness. The thickness achieved in the design you are referring to is amazing.

Regards,
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