Floorstanding loudspeakers — Børresen Acoustics Børresen 02 Silver Supreme Edition

The Børresen 02 Silver Supreme Edition is the top version of the 02 floorstanding loudspeaker, and Børresen Acoustics places its Silver Supreme models at the top of each range. The cabinet and driver count match the standard 02, but the bass/midrange motors receive pole rings of silver instead of copper, and every metal part is also cryogenically treated.

Key specs that matter

Silver conducts 6 to 8 percent better than copper, and swapping the pole rings brings driver inductance to roughly 12 times below that of conventional iron-based drivers, compared with about ten times for the copper version. The maker quotes 0.0035 mH magnet system inductance. The cryogenic step cuts inductance by a further 6 to 8 percent. Published figures give 40 Hz to 50 kHz response, 88 dB sensitivity per watt, an impedance above 4 ohm and an amplifier need above 50 W. Each speaker stands 105.5 cm high, 30.5 cm wide and 51.0 cm deep and weighs 30.5 kg, offered in walnut or black high gloss.

Engineering and use context

The silver rings are manufactured by hand in-house and fitted into the patented iron-free magnet system, where opposing neodymium ring magnets concentrate flux across the rings instead of an iron gap. All other metal components go through the same three-day freeze to about -196 degrees C that defines the Cryo editions. Two 5 inch bass/midrange drivers with carbon and Nomex honeycomb sandwich membranes work below an RP94 ribbon tweeter rated at 94 dB efficiency, which takes over from about 2.5 kHz. The crossover follows the series topology used across the 0-series, built from vacuum-impregnated foil coils, capacitor banks of military-grade stacked foil, and strip-type metal resistors that set the tweeter level. Enclosures are milled from compressed wood, braced internally and veneered, with a vented tweeter compartment and ported bass sections. Ansuz Darkz T2S decouplers are integrated between each cabinet and its cross plate, and the plate feet are adjustable.

Pairing

Børresen lists the Aavik I-580 integrated amplifier, Ansuz Speakz D-TC2 speaker cable and Ansuz Darkz S2T resonance control as its recommended partners for this edition. Any amplifier chosen needs a stated rating into a low impedance load. Ansuz Darkz discs themselves consist of three plates separated by three titanium ball bearings and come in four alloys.

Alternatives

The Børresen 05 Silver Supreme Edition applies the same silver pole ring and cryogenic treatment to a larger floorstanding cabinet.