Floorstanding loudspeakers — Tekton Design 1812 MODEL V12

The 1812 Model V12 is a large three-way floorstanding loudspeaker from Tekton Design, the company founded by Eric Alexander in 2003 and based in Orem, Utah. It sells for USD 14,000 per pair and appears in the Flagship category of the Tekton range, although the Bonneville costs more. Tekton assembles it by hand in the USA and sells it directly from its own website.

Key specs that matter

Each speaker combines an 18-inch driver in what Tekton calls a subwoofer capsule, twelve 6.5-inch midrange drivers and twelve 30 mm high-frequency drivers. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 30 kHz, sensitivity is 100 dB at 1 W and 1 m, and nominal impedance is 8 ohms. Tekton rates power handling at 2,500 W and maximum output at 140 dB per speaker. The cabinet measures about 1,803 x 584 x 660 mm and weighs about 136 kg.

Engineering and use context

The high-frequency section uses Tekton's polygon-oriented array of low-mass tweeters, a layout covered by US Patent 9247339, in which several small domes share the treble instead of a single tweeter. In the V12, the tweeter array works with the midrange drivers, so the midrange and treble are spread across a large radiating area. The 18-inch driver in its own capsule handles the bass. The high sensitivity lets the speaker reach high levels with modest amplifier power, and it can also take large amplifiers. Tekton offers bi-wire and bi-amp terminals for USD 75 each, a wide choice of paint colours and gloss levels, grilles shipped separately, several footer styles and tweeter upgrades that include beryllium domes. Tekton's parts warranty runs for up to five years and does not cover misuse, accidents, modified speakers or burnt voice coils.

Pairing

Its efficiency and benign nominal rating allow low-power tube amplifiers to drive the V12, while high-power solid-state amplifiers can use its full power handling in very large rooms. Given its weight and height, the speaker needs a large room of well over 20 m2 and a strong floor.

Alternatives

The Tekton Design Moab is a smaller tower listed in the same Flagship category, with dual 12-inch woofers, a 15-dome array and 98 dB sensitivity at USD 4,500 per pair.