Floorstanding loudspeakers — Pylon Audio Diamond 28 mkII

The Diamond 28 mkII is a slim floorstanding loudspeaker in the second generation of the Pylon Audio Diamond line from Poland, for which every element from drivers to cabinet and crossover was rethought. The series spans the Diamond 30 mkII, 28 mkII and 25 mkII towers, two stand-mount monitors, a centre channel and a subwoofer, and the 28 mkII is suggested for rooms of 25 to 42 m2.

Key specs that matter

This tower uses three drivers in a 2.5-way configuration. Two 18 cm class mid-bass units are custom versions of Seas cellulose-cone drivers, labelled PSW 18.8.CA/X (Seas CA18RNX custom) for the woofer and PSW 18.8.CA/P (Seas CA18RLY/P custom) for the upper unit. The tweeter is the PST 19.TN, based on the Scan-Speak D2010/852100 textile dome of 19 mm. Pylon gives a frequency response of 34 Hz to 20 kHz, efficiency of 89 dB and an impedance of 4 ohm. Power handling is 120 W nominal and 250 W maximum. The cabinet measures 196 mm wide, 1,038 mm high and 500 mm deep, and each speaker weighs 25 kg.

Engineering and use context

Pylon fits two variants of the Seas driver with different voice coils and magnet systems. The upper unit has a phase plug and a light 25 mm voice coil, while the lower one uses a massive magnetic circuit and a 38 mm voice coil with a wide linear range. Both employ Spider Ring technology for tighter manufacturing control. The tweeter received an updated neodymium magnet system, ferrofluid was removed from its gap, and a dual resonance chamber sits behind the dome to lower the primary resonance and nonlinear distortion. The mkII cabinet has steeper front and rear angles for better time alignment and a completely redesigned, slimmer base. Cabinets are made from solid MDF panels braced internally with additional rings, and they are damped with natural sheep's wool plus a newly chosen soundproofing material. Development used laser vibrometry and the maker's anechoic chamber. The grille attaches magnetically and is included. Finishes cover oiled and waxed natural oak in 11 colours, oak with 25 percent gloss lacquer in 5 colours, American walnut veneer in 2 colours, solid matte and gloss paints and custom RAL options.

Pairing

Any partnering amp should be comfortable with low-impedance towers like this Diamond. The Diamond family includes a centre channel and a subwoofer, so the 28 mkII can form the main left and right channels of a surround setup built from one series with matching finishes.

Alternatives

The Pylon Audio Diamond 30 mkII is the other large tower in the same Diamond mkII series.