Floorstanding loudspeakers — Volti Audio RAZZ Limited Edition

The Razz-LE is a limited edition version of the Razz, a three-way floorstanding horn loudspeaker built by Volti Audio, an American workshop led by founder Greg Roberts that sells its speakers directly to customers. Volti describes the Razz-LE as using the same components and the same cabinet construction as the original Razz, with a new look, finished veneer on the front and back and a new port screen. Its launch was announced around the AXPONA show in 2023.

Key specs that matter

Volti quotes a sensitivity of 97 dB and a bandwidth of 35 Hz to 20 kHz. Impedance is 6 ohm, and the maker advises connecting it to the 8 ohm taps of an amplifier that offers output taps. Recommended amplification is at least 8 W per channel, with 80 W per channel continuous as the maximum. Each speaker is about 1016 mm tall, 381 mm wide and 305 mm deep, and weighs about 41 kg. The launch price was USD 6,500 per pair, matching the original Razz at that time.

Engineering and use context

Volti's layout here is a hybrid of horn loading and a bass reflex cabinet. A 12 inch high-sensitivity woofer works in the ported lower enclosure. Midrange comes from a large-format horn with a 2 inch throat, driven by a 2 inch exit compression driver that has a composite diaphragm and a neodymium motor. Treble is handled by a neodymium horn tweeter. The crossover is hand-wired from custom parts, with one network for the woofer and a separate one for the horn drivers. Cabinets are made of 25 mm Baltic Birch plywood, fully braced and damped, with real wood veneer applied under vacuum and finished in catalyzed lacquer. The Razz-LE comes in four dyed veneers - Crimson Red, Deep Blue, Drift Gray Oak and Sage Green - and most natural veneers from the Volti range are offered at extra cost. The speakers stand on 25 mm black feet with felt bottoms.

Pairing

The high sensitivity and low minimum power put low-powered valve amplifiers inside the window Volti recommends, while the continuous upper limit caps the output of any amplifier used with it. Grille cloth in black stretch is standard, and several woven cloths in black, dark gray, tan, beige and gray are available as an upgrade.

Alternatives

The Volti Audio Rival is the larger floorstanding horn model in the range, built around a 15 inch woofer.