RAVEN and other ribbon drivers.



Some audiophiles are very much charmed by the ribbon drivers.
Technical merit seems to offer some scientific support here.You know - ribbons are low mass / low distortion transducers able to offer very detailed and dynamic sound, without some time domain distortions associated with heavier, traditional dynamic dome or cone, drivers.

Impresive! Really so?

There are some audiophiles who fell in love with ribbons at first sight & sound. But equally fast they let their love down mumbling something about "unlasting impression", "immateriality" and kind of unnatural "thinness" to the sound. Some others told stories about fragile, low power, nature of this kind of drivers.

Ribbons are traditionally associated with high frequency reproduction. In fact a modern ribbon driver can cover more then the high frequency range. Leading designs from RAVEN (Orca Design) or a Dutch company called Stage Accompany could cover a range starting from 500-1000Hz up to the 30-40 kHz from a single driver.

I wonder what is your expeience with latest ribbons? Was the first impression favorable and long lasting?
Have you heard (or even better owned) speaker systems utilizing wide range ribbons like RAVEN R3 drive unit?

And RAVENS themselves - they seem to be a favorite brand among DIYs trying to build the absolute speaker.
Do you have any experience with it?
mrgigi
Mrgigi I found the Raven by giog to Cabasse then from the Cabasse list of dist. in the USA i hit the ORCA DESIGN and MGF. in Atlanta. They are the ones that make the Raven ribbon and the drivers for Cabasse. This Raven really looks awesome, and the new Raven 3 has a MSRP. of $1400. The Raven 2 is only like $300. BIG difference?? Both are midrage/tweeter frequencies. I wonder how this sounds compared to the Cabasse's TC21 mid/tweeter in their speaker called Pacific 600 (new $13K!! right now someone is selling a pr. for $6K started today) Anyway ORCA calls this TC21 "THE HOLY GRAIL" of their research. However this new Raven 3 could prove a challenge. I am not sure how one uses the Raven, does it work in with a sub or what? I mean If anybody out there can help me with the line of Cabasse called MT352 or the ARTIS line, thanks. As well lets keep the VMPS reviews rolling.
this thread proves (no responces)that the "comercials" with their ads have a grip-hold on peoples ears...the new high tech drivers will NOT be found in the comercials...have a nice day