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NEAR® (New England Audio Resource) loudspeakers have always performed
well in tests. But the real measure of any loudspeaker is how it sounds to you,
not to a machine. We are confident that when you hear NEAR loudspeakers, you'll
be impressed most of all with their musicality. A variety of speaker types are
included for indoor and outdoor applications, high-ceiling atriums, and in extreme
weather environments … while offering exceptional sound quality.
METAL
DIAPHRAGM TECHNOLOGY (MDT) Featherweight aluminum-alloy cones for speed, clarity,
and musicality
NEAR Speakers feature MDT metal-alloy
drivers for optimum sound quality that eliminates listener fatigue.
Speed:
MDT is lighter, stiffer, faster
MDT is a proprietary metal-alloy diaphragm
about as light as is physically possible—nearly the ideal massless piston. The
gently curved shape provides additional rigidity and good phase response. Each
cone is individually formed and inspected for uniformity. Anodizing transforms
the metal surface into a ceramic compound, making the cone even more rigid and
very well damped. The result is a strong and lightweight sandwich structure with
extremely fast transient response.
Clarity: MDT delivers all the details,
naturally
There's accuracy, and then there's clarity. It is not difficult
to design an accurate loudspeaker. Making it sound great is another thing. MDT
diaphragms reveal the hidden nuances in music. Light and rigid, the metal diaphragms
are also characterized by "breakup" modes (inherent resonances) that are much
higher in frequency and narrower in width. The "tweaking" necessary to deal with
these modes requires far fewer compromises to the smoothness of the frequency
response. Listeners enjoy a clarity of sound refreshingly devoid of stridency
and sizzle.
Musicality: MDT improves the listening experience
"Musicality"
is hard to define—yet you know it when you hear it. It may reveal itself in the
delicate tones of a violin, or in the distinct imaging of an orchestra. But perhaps
the best indication of musicality is when you feel refreshed after listening—even
for hours. NEAR speakers are simply more musical.
Summary of MDT Benefits:
High rigidity and low mass of metal versus the traditional papers and
plastics Extremely stable cone structure over long periods of time Fast
transmission of sound through the diaphragm means low energy storageSpecial
anodizing process creates a ceramic coating for increased stiffness Efficient
heat-sinking of voice coils under long-term, high-power conditions
MAGNETIC
LIQUID SUSPENSION (MLS)
Unique non-mechanical suspension enhances performance
NEAR-patented Magnetic Liquid Suspension (MLS) is a superior method for
guiding a speaker's voice coil assembly through the magnetic field. MLS eliminates
the traditional mechanical "spider" and replaces it with a thick magnetic fluid
that stays permanently suspended in the gap of the magnet, allowing the voice
coil to remain centered and to operate with superior linearity. In fact, the louder
it plays, the more accurate the centering forces become. The results are lower
distortion, greater linearity, more consistent long-term performance, and longer
cone excursions (allowing use of smaller diameter woofers without sacrificing
bass extension). In addition, the fluid is a more efficient heat sink for the
voice coil, preventing heat-related impedance shifts that roughen frequency response.
Summary of MLS Benefits: High rigidity and low mass of metal
versus the traditional papers and plastics Extremely stable cone structure
over long periods of time Fast transmission of sound through the diaphragm
means low energy storageSpecial anodizing process creates a ceramic coating
for increased stiffness Efficient heat-sinking of voice coils under long-term,
high-power conditions
ABOUT NEAR
Since 1988, NEAR technology
has been used to produce truly exceptional loudspeakers at affordable prices.
Chief Engineer Bill Kieltyka could have played it safe by purchasing third-party
speaker components and tweaking them into a good-sounding product. But rather
than settle for another company's idea of high technology, Kieltyka decided NEAR
deserved better.
"My experience with acoustics and speaker design
has reinforced my belief that of all the materials available for creating a dynamic
speaker, rigid (yet responsive) metal cones perform far better than paper, polypropylene,
or composites. Now I see a small number of top-rated speaker companies also using
metal cones, which I consider an affirmation of the superiority of the technology."
Kieltyka believes that the most significant shortcoming of speakers is
cone flex or "break-up" in the audible region of sound. These break-up
modes are, in fact, the natural resonances of the cone material. Where in the
frequency spectrum these resonances occur have a direct effect on the clarity,
or "musicality," of the speaker. The resonances of NEAR's Metal Diaphragm
Technology™ (MDT) metal-alloy cones occur at much higher frequencies and
are narrower in width than those of conventional materials, thus their sonic imprint
can be effectively eliminated in the crossover circuitry. MDT cones are steadier,
clearer, and more accurate than paper or plastic cones.
Yes, there are
fancy spectrum-analysis measurements that bear this out, but you will not likely
see them in a typical audio review. What you will learn, however, is that NEAR
speakers are eminently more listenable and less fatiguing than other speakers
that may measure equally well.
Complementing the superb MDT cone is an
ingenious solution to voice coil guidance. Instead of centering the voice coil
in the magnet using a mechanical "spider" - an age-old technique - NEAR
uses something better: Magnetic Liquid Suspension™ (MLS). This proprietary
technology prevents lateral-motion distortion for true, piston-like performance
and greater cone excursion even under the most demanding conditions.
One listen and you'll hear why music lovers agree that NEAR speakers offer an
ideal combination of performance and value. NEAR speakers are simply more musical.
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