Напольная акустика — Davis Acoustics Ariane 9

The Ariane 9 is a three-way floorstanding speaker from Davis Acoustics of Troyes, France, and the tallest tower in the Ariane range, which the company introduced in 1994 when it moved from the Paris suburbs to Troyes. Davis describes the line as its entry into high fidelity. Alongside the 9 it currently lists the Ariane 5 and 7 towers, the compact Ariane 1 and 2, the Ariane C and C2 center models and the Ariane A. The maker aims the 9 at rooms of 40 m2 and larger.

Key specs that matter

Each tower carries four drive units. Two 21 cm woofers with cellulose pulp cones handle the bass, a 17 cm fibreglass cone takes the midrange, and a 20 mm soft dome tweeter with foam suspension handles the top. Crossover points sit at 300 Hz and 3,000 Hz. The frequency range is 33 Hz to 20,000 Hz within 3 dB, and Davis quotes sensitivity at 94 dB. Impedance does not fall below 4 ohm, and the power rating is 120 W nominal with a 200 W maximum. The cabinet measures 108.5 cm high, 23.5 cm wide and 33 cm deep, and the weight listed for one parcel is 20.5 kg. Light oak, black and dark walnut finishes are available.

Engineering and use context

Compared with the smaller Ariane towers, the 9 gains a second bass unit, which Davis credits with deeper extension, and a newly developed tweeter. The woofer cones use a cellulose pulp that receives a hardening treatment, and the yellow fibreglass midrange cone is a trademark of the range. Across the series Davis uses gentle crossover slopes of 6 and 12 dB per octave, and the tweeter has a voice coil that is partly copper. The MDF enclosure is reflex loaded and vents from the front baffle, which makes placement close to a rear wall easier than with a rear-venting box. Accessories supplied with the range tilt the speaker slightly backward. A single pair of binding posts accepts heavy-gauge bare cable, banana plugs and spade lugs. Davis states that the model is suited both to stereo music systems and to multichannel home cinema.

Pairing

The high sensitivity allows high levels from modest power, so a 30 to 50 W integrated amplifier or an AV receiver can drive a pair in most rooms. Given the modest minimum impedance, the amplifier should be rated for such a load and able to supply current. For a surround system the Ariane C or C2 center keeps the same driver family across the front channels.

Alternatives

The Davis Ariane 7 is a narrower Ariane tower, with two 17 cm woofers, 93 dB sensitivity and a 103 x 19 x 31 cm cabinet for rooms from 30 m2.