SongTower QWT
a price/performance breakthrough -
a
transmission line MTM 2-way floor-standing speaker under $2000!
Normally we approach speaker design as a collaborative
process. But in this case, Dennis Murphy approached us with a design he worked
up and asked us if we would be interested in bringing it to market. Since
Dennis is a consummate crossover artist, we knew it would be a fabulous
speaker. Given the fact that it was a small-footprint, quarter-wave
transmission line design, our interest was really piqued!
Here is Dennis' description of the design...
The SongTower QWT is an MTM design using a
mass-loaded quarter wave transmission line cabinet designed by Paul Kittinger
and based on the pioneering work of Martin King. This transmission line cabinet
allows the floor-standing speaker to exhibit greater bass extension than a
ported design would normally allow.
This design is the end result of a
year-long project to develop a very affordable (under $2000) speaker that
- 1) is wide range, with useful bass response to at least 40 Hz;
- 2) has a
small enough footprint to allow cabinet dimensions with high SAF; and,
- 3)
is sensitive enough to be compatible with a wide range of amplifiers.
Traditional 3-ways would almost certainly fail at least one of the last
two requirements. Traditional 2-way bookshelf designs would require a large
woofer that might not produce the best possible performance in the upper
midrange, and would also require stand-mounting (low SAF).
The solution
was to use two high quality 5" drivers optimally suited to Martin King's MLQW
transmission line cabinet design, mated to a high quality tweeter. The Seas
CA15 woofers were an obvious choice to perform bass duties, due to their
appropriate electrical and mechanical parameters and extremely smooth and
extended response at higher frequencies. The Hiquphon 0WII was perfectly suited
for the design, since it is sensitive enough to keep up with twin CA15 woofers
and provides almost ruler-flat response and extremely broad dispersion. In
addition, this tweeter is rugged enough to allow a fairly low crossover
frequency with room to spare.
The sensitivity of the MTM is
conservatively rated at 88 dB, and can play a 38 Hz tone at high enough drive
levels to set off rattles from loose objects in a typical room.
SongTower transmission line cabinets are a sleek 8"
wide, 11.25" deep and 44.5" tall (not counting plinths and spikes).
The combination of the drivers selected, the
transmission line cabinet and Dennis' crossover design results in a formidable
speaker indeed.
As
indicated in this plot, the frequency response is very flat - even
off-axis! The SongTower's frequency response is 42Hz to 20,000Hz +/- 3db.
Check out the SongTower's
specifications/cost.
 the sound
So, how do they sound?
- The top end is lush and detailed - just what you'd
expect from the exceptional Hiquphon QWII
- The driver dispersion and the slim cabinet combine to
offer superb imaging
- The soundstage is deep and wide with instruments and
vocals precisely located.
- Midrange is detailed and accurate. Voices are
rendered with realism
- The TL cabinet results in very impressive bass
extension considering the design uses 5" midwoofers.
In short, we feel the SongTower QWT's represent a new
performance standard in a speaker system priced under $2000. Hearing them, we
think you'll agree.
SongTower QWT options/pricing
The SongTower QWT's are now available in three versions:
black satin version, "standard" veneered version and a "custom" version.
All versions feature the same cabinet bracing and
construction techniques, the same drivers and the same crossovers . So there is
no difference in terms of performance between these versions. It is simply a
matter of finish. See a selection of SongSeries
veneer samples.
 black
satin SongTower cabinets
As the name implies, the black satin lacquer cabinet
version features black satin (other colors optional) MDF cabinets. Grills and
plinths are included.
Black satin lacquer SongTower QWT's are priced at
$1695.00 per pair.
 "standard" veneered SongTower cabinets
For those wishing for the look of natural wood, veneered
cabinets are also available. This version features your choice of a wide
variety of standard veneers including curly cherry, curly walnut, mahogany,
curly maple and oak. All veneers can be finished natural, or aniline dye
(superior to a more traditional stain) can be used to modify natural colors to
suit your taste. These are finished in our standard fine-furniture-grade satin
lacquer finish.
SongTower QWT's in "standard" veneered cabinets are
priced at $1795 per pair.
 "custom"
SongTower cabinets
Since we are a custom shop, you can order your SongTower
QWT's in virtually any veneer and finish combination you desire. This includes
exotic veneers such as burls, crotch veneers and the like, to guitar "burst"
finishes and custom paint jobs. Your imagination is our only limit.
"Custom" SongTower QWT's start at $1995. Since many of the
veneers/finishes you can choose from will also involve "premium" charges,
contact us for exact pricing for the veneer/finish of your dreams.
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