Detailed Info about the Apogee Mini Grand
Above: with bass cabinet covers on
Above: Studio Grand and Mini Grand
Above: bass cabinet without cover
Official Info
The ‘Grand Series’ is the culmination of twelve years of research and development that significantly advances Apogee’s patented Full Range Ribbon technology. A major technical achievement is Apogee’s newly patented conductors that follow ‘sine wave’ paths. This snake-like pattern stiffens the critical junctures between conductors and reduces hinging or bending that can alter the signal. The rear wave of the midrange ribbon is free of mechanical intrusions, thus there is nothing to obstruct the signal between it and the listener.
Our smallest and least expensive model in the ‘Grand Series’ is the ‘Mini Grand’. Able to provide the utmost of musicality and dynamics in a compact package, the Mini Grand consists of Apogee’s highly acclaimed ‘Stage’ Full Range Ribbon Speakers mounted on their own dedicated stereo subwoofer stands and the DAX electronic crossover. The Mini Grand subscribes to Apogee’s modular building system as the ‘Stage’ and their subwoofer modules can be purchased separately.
The Apogee Mini-Grand system is a three way speaker. Two patented ribbon drivers reproduce frequencies above 80Hz. Frequencies below 80Hz are handled by the Mini-Grand subwoofer system which utilizes two Apogee custom made 8″ woofers per cabinet. The sub-woofers also function as rigid stands for the Stage. Though the Mini-Grand’s cosmetics are new, its heart remains the Apogee Stage. The Stage sits atop the subwoofer on brackets that allow for variable tilt-back—an important feature for proper setup. For those unfamiliar with the Stage, it is a two-way, inherently full-range design. The midrange/tweeter is a 26″ ribbon which handles the range above 600Hz. A dipolar, electrodynamic driver takes over below that frequency. Apogee calls this driver a ribbon, but this is not quite correct—it’s a large film panel with embedded conductors, located near a large array of permanent magnets on one side. The drive-unit is loosely analogous to a planar electrostatic driver, but the operating principle is electromagnetic rather than electrostatic—no external polarizing voltage is required. The current in the conductors reacts to the fixed, permanent magnetic field, causing the panel to move.
The Stage can be bi-amped via two sets of terminals on the rear. A two-position switch selects between two level settings for the midrange/tweeter—Normal and High—altering the overall balance.
Specifications
1992-1998
Original Retail $6500
Height (Stage) 98cm
Height (Subwoofer) 29cm
Width 67cm
Depth (Stage): 7cm
Depth (Subwoofer): 50cm
Impedance 3.25-4 ohms
Subwoofer drivers: 2 x 8″ Vifa dynamic cones
Ribbon Bass (Stage): Dual sandwich Aluminium/Mylar (etched)
Midrange/Tweeter: 6 segment Aluminium/Kapton panel (etched)
Frequency response: 25Hz (-3dB) to over 25kHz
Crossover frequencies: Sub to panel 70Hz / bass panel to mid 700kHz
DAX (optional)
A DAX is a two channel Dedicated Active Crossover designed specifically to be coupled with the Diva, Duetta Signature and Caliper Signature, or Mini Grand and Studio Grand speakers. A DAX provides exceptional tuning flexibility which enables users to sculpt a tonal balance to meet their listening requirements whilst skipping part of the passive crossover components. The DAX will accomodate a wide range of preamplifier and amplifier characteristics.
More DAX photos and detailed info
More Apogee
