I'm looking to learn about Air Motion Transformer technology


I'm curious about Wharfedale's use of Air Motion Transformers in their new Elysian line.  See http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/elysian4/

I'm admittedly in the dark about this technology even though other manufacturers have used it.  I'm curious about its use, potential benefits, sound signature, etc.
128x128jbhiller
Arion, I just came from your web site and I really like a lot of what you are doing. Using the Trinnov for bass management duties is brilliant. I would never use an analog crossover in this position. Crossing at 120 Hz is also great. I cross at 125 Hz from ESL line source speakers to subs. IMHO people tend to cross too low were there are a lot of room problems which makes integration difficult. What I would like to see is Apollo 14's supplied with 4 sub woofers. The Apollo 12 is not quite tall enough to act as a line source down to 100 Hz where it still probably has significant output. So, as you move away from the speaker the mid bass will fall off. Two subs can only act as a point source so the low bass will also drop off as you move away from the speakers. You would need at least 4 sub woofers to create a linear array and balance the output.
With that efficiency rating you should be able to replicate a jet aircraft with 100 watts! I would love to hear them.

Mike
No, I don't need to clutch at the shape of an impedance curve. I clutch at the fact to make an amt, you take ribbon basic design and fold it. I've not argued differences. And once again you turn smart aleck. 
Semantics. IMHO, a ribbon and an AMT are very different. They may both be long and narrow so by some definitions they might be in the same category. They are both part of the light membrane transducer category as are planars and electrostats. Typically, in the audio world, the ribbon membrane is attached to its support structure only at the top and bottom. In AMTs the diaphragm is attached to its support structure at four sides. In this regard they are more like a planar. Some people call long narrow planar drivers ribbons. Some believe that a true ribbon driver uses only one metallic element as the membrane and the composite ribbons are not true ribbons. Others believe both are true ribbons. Features, construction and specs may be shared or be close but AMTs, planars and ribbons are all different.
Mike, Please excuse our old and outdated website. A new one with lots more info is in the works.

We use the Trinnov ST2 to control the AMT towers as well as the woofers. Our systems are designed with full DSP and room correction in mind. All filters and EQ is done by the DSP. The drivers are directly coupled to the amplifiers. The core is our AMT design and its ability to cover an extended range. Our 9 AMT driver Apollo tower can reach 80 Hz and below. Our 12 AMT driver Apollo tower just has more output. We have selected 120 Hz as the default crossover point for a variety of reasons. It can be easily changed through the DSP but we discourage it. Our woofers are designed to be stacked so room height is the limit. With their high sensitivity the Apollos can play to astonishing SPLs but no one should listen to those levels. Where their high SPLs count is with music peaks. Minimal dynamic compression.

Anytime you want to hear them just let us know.
And I would think Arion would know as he makes both types of speakers.
Having owned Apogee Divas I can relate to ribbons. His Analysis Audio speakers are strangely reminiscent of Apogee speakers. Mike, is there any connection to Apogee? I know, Apogee used a quasi ribbon woofer and it appears your speakers are using a design more like Magnepan. Ribbons are not just aluminum foil but aluminum foil traces laminated to a plastic. I think Apogee used very thin Kapton but I am not totally sure. The traces are connected in series which raises the impedance to somewhat reasonable levels. The impedance curve is extremely flat so in realty ribbons are a very easy load for an amp that can tolerate lower impedance's. Magnets run down both sides of the ribbon. A ribbon 6 feet long is very floppy so even though it is firmly connected at it's ends there are usually foam blocks placed at intervals to support the ribbon. You can not tension the ribbon too high or you will damage it. 
The Apogee bass ribbon was very easy to damage so I think the use of a planar magnetic design is smart. It is a much tougher driver.