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New Joseph Audio Pulsar Graphene 2

Just wanted to update my prior thread where this topic may have gotten lost.  As many of you may know by now, Joseph Audio has come out with the new Pulsar Graphene 2. This new iteration of the venerable Pulsars has a graphene coated magnesium midrange-woofer cone, and the drive motor, suspension system, etc., have been revamped. From what I have been told, the upgrade is pretty significant ... the sound is fuller and has greater ease, yet is very resolved. Jeff Joseph advises that an upgrade path will be available for existing owners of the Pulsars, too. Also, note that the price quoted in the Soundstage piece was in Canadian dollars ... Jeff informs me that the price in USD is $8,999 per pair. I am eager to hear the new Pulsars.
rlb61
erik_squires
16,009 posts
 
Predicting changes in sound based on specs is hard to do. Have you heard these speakers?


I make no claim to. I'm only stating that several improvements in the motor structure have occurred, and that I would guess these improvements are probably more important than the graphene coating. 



Best,


E
markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
638 posts
 
You may be right. 
erik_squires
16,009 posts
 
Reading the Seas graphene white paper, I noticed that while they go into some detail about manufacturing, and oxidation inhibition I didn't see any major claims for it affecting the sound of the drivers. 


Being a serious driver manufacturer, I'm sure they would not make claims they could not back up, or fail to mention benefits if there were any. 


On the other hand, the paper on the 6" or so Magnesium/Graphene driver lists a number of improvements to the motor. 


I'm in no way disparaging Seas or Joseph. I'm sure they make excellent products, and as I read it, the new driver is improved, and will be less likely to oxidize. All good things. 


prof
3,468 posts
 

I appreciate the experience and knowledge you bring to this, erik.

I personally am downplaying my own expectations of what I'll hear with the new graphene version.

As to inferring the sonic significance of the new drivers, it seems to me that we'd have to consider both whatever alterations have been made to the drivers AND whatever alterations Jeff Joseph may have made to the design in redoing his crossovers etc.  A number of people reporting conversations with Jeff say Jeff talked about significant work on the new design, so perhaps it includes some alterations that re-voice slightly, or further optimize the design.

Does that make sense?
erik_squires
16,009 posts
 
I appreciate the experience and knowledge you bring to this, erik.

I personally am downplaying my own expectations of what I’ll hear with the new graphene version.



Thank you for your kind words!

I’m not saying it’s not a better driver. I’m just saying Seas did a lot of work in the motor. Let’s not get twinkly eyed over the word "graphene" as being the cause. :)


While I cannot tell you how well the new version sounds, I can tell you with some certainty based on specs that the old and new driver require different crossovers, so the idea that they would require a great deal of rework and possibly ending with a different sound is not surprising to me at all. From what I saw of the previous version, his crossover was impeccably designed, with attention to detail and a nod to tube fans. I would expect JJ to take the same level of care with this one.


Best,


E
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