The challenge was to create a reasonably small but
sccurate speaker system that would not be so inefficient as to
require an inordinately large amplifier to drive it, and yet be
capable of delivering clean, high output sound pressure levels when
used with powerful program equipment.
The BIC Venturi Formula 2 more than fulfills that objective .
It is the most sensitive, highest power handling speaker system of
its size ever offered.
It is result of not one, but several technical inventions and
innovations carefully calculated to bring a new standard of
performance to the home comparable to theater and concert hall
requirements. And this is achieved with an accuracy of reproduction
and economy of power that should satisfy the most critical musical
tastes and limited budgets.
The enclosure is sturdily constructed to grade 1 furniture
standards and finished in scuff-resistant, walnut polymer-coated
wood. It is free of resonances and other spurious vibrations which
add unnatural colaration (''tubbiness'', ''ringing'' or
''tunnel-like'' sounds), often mistaken as ''bas''.
A new type sonicall transparent atractive foam grille is
available in a choice of black, brown, beige, burnt orange, blue
and red. The grille can be resprayed to any other desired
color.
An optional base, model VB-2, enhances the appearance of the
Formula 2 when placed on the floor.
Musical Dynamic Range
As music increases in sound level, the loudspeaker should
remain faithfully in step at both the lowest and loudest passage,
in many systems the speaker doen's "take off" until it is driven
fairly hard and then at same maximum point is unable to produce
more output sound to match the greater musical modulations. Some
systems at this point exhibit "cone beakup" and other forms of
distortion, or incur physical damage to voice coils,cones, etc.
System with these problems (usually greater as the efficiency
decreases) are not capable of wide 'dynamic range".
Since the Formula 2 is extremely efficient and can also handle
high electrical input power with aplomb, its dynamic range will
satisfy the critical listener, on all kinds of music and program
sources.
Super tweeter
Although the "midrange" Biconex™ horn reproduces frequencies
to actually well beyond 15,000 Hz, where most modest-sized speaker
systems end, our investigations into psychoacoustic phenomena
reveal a need to extend aurally perceptive response to at least
20,000 Hz or beyond, in order to preserve original sonic balance
and hence musical timbre of instruments originating in the lower
frequency ranges. This is particularly so in the Formula 2 because
of its extended low frequency response and high energy levels.
Although covering less than one musical octave (15,000 to beyond
23,000 Hz), a newly designed high efficiency high power capability
super dome tweeter completes the system, and accurately handles the
complex musical waveforms which contain harmonics extending into
this ultra sonic range.
Dynamic Tonal Compensation™ (D.T.C.)
The ability to hear different frequencies changes with sound
level. At "discotheque" levels, most frequencies are heard equally.
As the level decreases, less of the treble range and still less of
the bass range is discerned. At moderate home listening levels and
especially at "background" music levels, mostly the midrange is
heard. Amplifier "loudness" or "contour" switches employ a fixed
rate of compensation, but this is severely compromised by the
efficiency of different speakers and further upset by amplifier
volume control settings.
The Dynamic Tonal Compensation circuit (patents pending)
automatically adjust the relationship of the midrange to the bass
and treble ranges, in conformity with the Fletcher-Munson curves
which have measured this human trait. Thus, as the amplifier volume
control is changed the speaker alters its response to provide the
ear with aurally flat response. All the music can now be heard all
the time, regardless of how soft or loud it is being played. A
defeat switch and continuously variable "Brightness" control on the
speaker's front panel, enables the conventional use of the speaker
if desired. Amplifier tone controls can still be used in the normal
manner. The D.T.C. control board is located behind the removeable
grille, for easy accessibility.
Midrange
To provide a proper match to the exceptional efficiency of the
bass section, the Biconex™ Pyramidal horn/compression driver unit
(patents pending) was developed. To eliminate the need, as in other
speakers, to interrupt the critical. Ear-sensitive midrange
spectrum with a distortion producing crossover network, the
operating range of this unit is 1500 to 15,000 Hz. The wide-angle
deispersion pattern is uniform in all directions, permiting the
cabinet to be used horizontally or vertically, as decor and
physical needs dictate. A new inert material used in the horn
totally eliminates metallic coloration of sound. The specially
designed driver unit provides both an exceptionally smooth response
throughout its assigned frequency range and an unusually high power
handling capability to match the BIC Venturi bass section.
Bass
The principle of the BIC Venturi systems (patents pending) is
now applied for the first time to speaker enclosure design.
Briefly, it operates as an acoustic transformer in the bass range,
converting low magnitudes of energy to levels many times greater
and, additionaly, purer than would otherwise be possible from a
woofer used in enclosures of other types. Utilizing a specially
designed 8" woofer, bass notes as low as 30 Hz are solidly
reproduced with thattight, clean sound which denotes excelent
transient response and freedom from audible harmonic
distortion.
Power
The sensitivity of the BIC Venturi Formula 2 is so high, that
amplifiers or receivers legitimately rated at as low as 15 watts
RMS per channel will produce more than adequate sound levels for
normal home listening. The Formula 2 is from 100 to 400% more
efficient than "acoustic suspension" type systems, therefore
requiring much less amplifier power.
On the other hand, the Formula 2 can handle amplifiers and
receivers rated as high as 75 watts RMS per channel, with ease and
reliability, providing sound pressure levels rivaling the loudest
concert hall passages and the noisiest discotheques. Actually, the
Formula 2 is capable of even greater electrical input power, but
its maximum rating is intentionally given as 75 watts since such an
amplifier is capable of producing 150 watts when driven to
"clipping" … a form of amplifier distortion. Even under such
conditionas, the Formula 2 can take it.
Specifications
Maximum Power RMS Rated
Amplifier: 75 watts per channel
Effective Response: 30 -
23,000 Hz
Dispersion: 120° x
120°
Impedance: at no time
under 4 Ω
Controls
Manual : Continuously Variable
"Brightness" Control
D.T.C. : "Automatic" with
defeat switch
Driver Components:
Woofer : 8" heavy
Duty
Midrange : Biconex™
Horn/Compression Driver
Super Tweeter :
Dome
Front Grille: Removable
reticulated foam
Dimensions (H x W x D):
19 ¾" x 12" x 11 ½"
Weight: 30 lbs
(shipping)
Optional Base: Model VB-2