Напольная акустика — Børresen Acoustics Børresen Z2

The Z2 is the standard, untreated version of the 2½-way floorstander within the Danish Z-series by Børresen Acoustics. The series was conceived to bring parts first developed for the costlier 0-series into a more attainable price bracket, and the Z2 is the entry tower of that range, positioned under the Z3 and Z5. Canadian list pricing for a pair runs from CAD 27,000 to 34,000 depending on finish, and a cryogenically treated edition is sold as a separate, dearer option.

Key specs that matter

The Z2 splits the band across three drivers. A planar ribbon tweeter takes over from roughly 2.5 kHz, a 4.5 inch bass/midrange unit sits below it, and an 8 inch bass/midrange unit fills in the low end. Børresen rates the tower at 40 Hz to 50 kHz, 86 dB for 1 W, and a nominal 4 ohm load, with more than 50 W of amplifier power recommended. The cabinet stands 102.5 cm tall, 22.5 cm wide and 40.0 cm deep, and each speaker weighs 34.0 kg. Buyers choose between black satin and white satin paint.

Engineering and use context

The ribbon itself is rated at 94 dB efficiency and has a moving mass of only 0.01 grams, well above the sensitivity of the complete system, so the crossover has headroom to pad it down to match the cone drivers. Both cones use a sandwich membrane in which two very thin carbon skins are bonded to either face of a 4 mm Nomex honeycomb core, giving a diaphragm weight of 5.5 grams. Behind each cone is a motor built on an 8 mm voice coil whose inductance measures just 0.06 mH, about ten times lower than a conventional system according to the maker, achieved by linearising the magnetic field so the driver is less affected by its own excursion. The filter network is wired in a parallel configuration with the same exclusive parts used in the 0-series, a layout Børresen chose because it keeps the board rigid and limits its own resonances. Adjustable cross-plate feet at the base accept Ansuz Darkz resonance control pieces, which use three titanium balls for separation.

Pairing

Given the low nominal load and moderate efficiency, this untreated Z2 favours transistor amplification with real current reserves instead of a low-output tube amplifier. The narrow front makes it practical for a living space of about 20 m2 where a bigger Z-series cabinet would dominate.

Alternatives

The Børresen Z3 keeps the same cabinet footprint but swaps in two bass units of that size for a 35 Hz lower limit and 89 dB sensitivity.