Transcript
Test Magazin
CAR&HIFI
K86299
12. .Jahrgang
2/2001 March/April
MAC ABSOLUTE
Test: The New 13 and 16 Series Compos from Mac Audio
R E P R I N T
Component Systems 2.13 and 2.16
s“ s a l C „ TVoALpUE FOR MONEY “ t n e l l „exce
R E V I E W
LT U S E R TEST
S P E C I A L
8,50DM · BEF 200,00 · Pts 940,00 · Pts 1.030,00 (can) · Lit 13.500,00 · LUF 200,00 · hfl 10,00 · öS 65,00 · PLZ 24,80 · SEK 59,00 · CHF 8,50 NR L 10920
with both solidly-mounted screw terminals and soldering lugs, these units are ready for
MAC ABSOLUTE Component Systems 2.13 and 2.16
everything. Meticulous workmanship is also evident in many other details, like the gluing of the diaphragm, spider and voice coil former. The coil itself is a sandwich design, with windings on both sides of the former. This doubles the surface area compared to single-sided coils, making for more
Mac Absolute
– as the name suggests, macAudio is aiming for the top with this series. Following successful introduction of the woofers, the company is now launching the component systems in the same line. The main ingredients in their recipe for success are superlative materials and cunning designs …
effective cooling. Lightness, rigidity and good inherent damping are the main requirements for the diaphragm (cone) of a good mid-range/bass driver, and the carbon-fibre-reinforced paper cones used here promise exemplary performance.
QUALITY WITH A LITTLE EXTRA The crossovers in the two systems both have the same layout, but the components are naturally
The family resemblance between the Mac Absolute
specified to match the different requirements. We
2.13 and 2.16 component systems is unmistakab-
were pleased to see that both crossovers feature
le. And the family doesn’t need to be ashamed of
top-quality components in those places where it
its looks. The woofers in particular are a sight for
most affects the sound. They are very versatile,
sore eyes, with their beautifully-designed die-cast
with support for bi-amping and a switch for the
aluminium baskets – they were awarded the
tweeter level. Which brings us to one of the very
editor’s unofficial design prize even before the test
few points where we have something to criticise.
started. The technology of the two systems is
Instead of the 0, +3 and +6 dB provided by the
equally analogous; the only difference is that
level switch, we would have preferred a choice
some components in the 2.13 are a little smaller.
between -3, 0 and +3dB.
Both have exactly the same tweeter: a high-quality 25mm dome with a coated silk membrane and ferro-fluid
»
voice coil cooling.
INNER QUALITIES The compact magnet systems are fully enclosed by the neatly-finished baskets of the two woofers, providing optimum protection for the Neodymium magnets. And since small drivers have less heat-dissipating surface area, the baskets have cooling fins on the sides in the area around the magnets. As a useful side effect, this also increases rigidity. Provision for contact with the outside world is also ideal:
Identical concept: Switches for adjustment, high-quality components and a cunning circuit design set these units apart from cheap crossovers.
TEST REPORT
TEST REPORT
Mac Absolute 2.13
Mac Absolute 2.16
Vendor:
Hotline: Website:
Recoton Lise-Meitner-Straße 9 50259 Pulheim + 22 34/807-0 www.mac-audio.de
Vendor:
Recoton Lise-Meitner-Straße 9 50259 Pulheim + 22 34/807-0 www.mac-audio.de
Hotline: Website:
Weighting
Weighting
Sound
50%
2.2
Sound
50%
2.1
Bass foundation Neutrality Transparency Transparency Dynamics
10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
2.5 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.5
Bass foundation Neutrality Transparency Transparency Dynamics
10% 10% 10% 10% 10%
2.0 2.5 2.0 2.0 2.0
Measurements
30%
1.7
Measurements
30%
1.8
Frequency response Maximum volume Distor tion
10% 10% 10%
1.5 2.0 1.5
Frequency response Maximum volume Verzerrungen
10% 10% 10%
1.5 2.0 2.0
Practical test
20%
1.8
Practical test
20%
1.8
Crossover Workmanship
15% 5%
2.0 1.0
Crossover Workmanship
15% 5%
2.0 1.0
Specifications
30°
The pink cur ve shows the woofer with the below 30° Off-Axis mode activated. The difference to normal mode (30°, green) is enormous.
30°
Just like the 2.13, the 2.16 is a ver y well balanced per former. The low-end bass range of the 16 is sensational.
Woofer basket: Installation cutout: Installation depth: Magnet diameter: Tweeter diaphragm: Tweeter housing: Impedance: Tweeter/woofer roll-of f: Ef ficiency (1 W, 1 m): Tweeter protection circuit: Tweeter level attenuation: Speaker grilles: Cables:
152 mm 123 mm 59 mm 55 mm 25 mm 40 mm 4 Ohm 18/12 dB 85 dB – 0, 3 dB, 6 dB + +
DC resistance Rdc Ef fective cone area Resonance frequency fs Resonance magnification Qts Equivalent acoustic volume Vas Moving mass Mms Rms Cms B*l
3.12 Ohm 81.70 cm2 70.1 Hz 0.49 6.96 l 6.95 g 0.66 kg/s 0.74 mm 4.00 Tm
Installation recommendation: Power recommendation:
universal 30 – 120 W
Score Sound Lab Practical test
Specifications
Woofer basket: Installation cutout: Installation depth: Magnet diameter: Tweeter diaphragm: Tweeter housing: Impedance: Tweeter/woofer roll-of f: Ef ficiency (1 W, 1 m): Tweeter protection circuit: Tweeter level attenuation: Speaker grilles: Cables:
166 mm 142 mm 69 mm 55 mm 25 mm 40 mm 4 Ohm 18/12 dB 86 dB – 0, 3 dB, 6 dB + +
DC resistance Rdc Ef fective cone area Resonance frequency fs Resonance magnification Qts Equivalent acoustic volume Vas Moving mass Mms Rms Cms B*l
3.41 Ohm 124.6 cm2 51.83 Hz 0.71 18.49 l 11.12 g 0.82 kg/s 0.85 mm/N 3.68 Tm
Installation recommendation: Power recommendation:
universal 30 – 120 W
Score 50% 30% 20%
2.2 1.7 1.8
CAR & HIFI Vol. 2/2001 · mac Audio · Mac Absolute 2.13
Top Class Value for money: very good
Sound Lab Practical test
50% 30% 20%
2.1 1.8 1.8
CAR & HIFI Vol. 2/2001 · mac Audio · Mac Absolute 2.16
Top Class Value for money: very good
The high-frequency section uses a conventional third-order filter, but the high-quality low-frequency section uses an additional trick that macAudio calls an “Off-Axis” circuit. This was chosen because car woofers are often installed low down in the doors, which means that the listening position is away from the direct sound’s radiation axis (“off-axis”). In off-axis mode the crossover boosts the middle frequencies to counteract the mid-range sound pressure fall-off encountered with
Good heat dissipation was a top design priority. Generously dimensioned vents for cool coils.
this woofer placement. The effects are very clear A little forward but always controlled and dynamic,
in the frequency response curves.
its rendition of voices and instruments is even superior to its big brother’s. Both systems get a
AND THE RESULT? Both these systems deliver top-class sound , each in its own way, of course. The 2.16 takes full ad-
round of applause for their high-frequency performance.
vantage of its larger cone area. Bass delivery is sensationally deep for a 16cm driver, and the combination with its excellent precision is close to unique. Precision is likewise no problem for the 2.13, but it has to pass much earlier on when the action moves down into the bass ‘cellar’. On the other hand, the physically smaller system is the winner when it comes to the midrange performance.
CONCLUSION There’s no need to mince words on the quality of both these Mac Absolute component systems. Everything is right, from the workmanship of the drivers to the accessories, including the metal “tweeter cups” and the thick, silver-plated cables. What really deserves a mention is the satisfyingly thorough way in which the developers have done their homework. Fascinating technology, easy installation and customisable sound performance combine to deliver a really XXL audio experience. Both the individual details and the package as a whole are right, and that makes the prices seem fair.
Beautiful, solid and effective. There’s nothing about these speaker baskets to criticise.
Your authorised MAC AUDIO dealer:
Mac Audio Electronic GmbH & Co. KG · Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · D-50259 Pulheim Tel. + 22 34/807- 0 · Fax +22 34/80 73 99 · Website: www.mac-audio.de · E-Mail: Info @recoton.de A Recoton Company
