Subwoofers — Nime Audio Design Black Diamond

The Black Diamond is the first subwoofer from Nime Audio Design, an Italian loudspeaker brand with roots in Viareggio and its base in Massarosa, near Lucca. Nime says the local tradition of yacht building shaped the way its speakers are handcrafted. The subwoofer was released as home theatre demand grew and to give the brand's Elite, Mya and Poetica loudspeakers deeper low frequency extension. Instead of a box meant to be hidden, the crystal-like shape was drawn to be placed in plain view, and the list price has been close to EUR 7,000.

Key specs that matter

The single 10 inch woofer has an aluminium cone and works into a vented enclosure. Nime quotes a frequency response of 30 Hz to 180 Hz and a power rating of 200 W maximum. The cabinet measures 500 mm high, 650 mm wide and 440 mm deep, and the subwoofer weighs 35 kg. Standard finishes are glossy white, lacquered black and matt black, and a personalised lacquer colour can be ordered at extra cost.

Engineering and use context

The 40 mm thick wood composite walls form 23 faces of different shapes and angles. Nime states that this faceted geometry gives the cabinet maximum structural rigidity and helps to cancel spurious internal resonances. The woofer is mounted on the bottom panel and fires toward the floor, so the manual asks for the area under the cabinet to be kept free of objects that could obstruct or damage the cone. As on other Nime models, stainless steel details are part of the design, and aluminium rims frame the driver and the reflex port. The owner's manual gives an operating temperature range of minus 20 to 55 degrees Celsius and warns against damp or dusty locations, and Nime allows 8 to 12 weeks of use before the driver reaches full capability.

Pairing

The Black Diamond takes the subwoofer signal from an AV processor or surround receiver in a home theatre system, and it can also extend the brand's stereo loudspeakers.

Alternatives

Nime Audio Design lists no other subwoofer beside the Black Diamond.