Напольная акустика — BAYZ audio Counterpoint

The Counterpoint is an omnidirectional floorstanding loudspeaker from BAYZ Audio, the Hungarian maker founded in 1997 by Zoltán Bay, who is its designer, CEO and chief engineer and holds a patent for a sliding biasing amplifier circuit. BAYZ makes two speakers, the smaller Courante 2.0 and the larger Counterpoint 2.0. The Counterpoint was announced on 3 April 2019 and shown at AXPONA 2019 in Chicago, and the current 2.0 version costs EUR 144,000 including VAT. Each speaker is made by hand in Hungary.

Key specs that matter

BAYZ covers the high frequencies with its Bay Radial Speaker, internationally patented in 2011, which in version 2.0 is the upgraded BRS-HR reaching beyond 50 kHz under a laser-cut aluminium cover. Two custom 240 mm woofers with Egyptian papyrus cones handle the bass, developed with Frank Nielsen of Danesian Audio. For version 2.0 the frequency response is 24 Hz to 50 kHz, sensitivity is 94 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and impedance is 4 ohm, with a minimum amplifier power of 50 W. The speaker stands about 160 cm tall and weighs 85 kg, and its solid granite base adds another 55 kg.

Engineering and use context

The BRS tweeter uses a cylindrical membrane of an ultra-light material inside a carbon-fibre enclosure, which radiates through 360 degrees and, according to BAYZ, has no break-up modes in its range. Because the radiator is a cylinder, high frequencies spread all round the cabinet rather than being concentrated forward as with a dome. The woofers are oriented so that their mechanical forces cancel, which limits the vibration passed into the cabinet. The cabinet is a carbon-fibre composite monocoque, built with András Voloscsuk and Composite Project Kft, a firm known for carbon work in Formula 1 and the Red Bull Air Race, and it is filled with a proprietary damping compound. A solid mahogany backplate and the granite base complete the structure. The crossover is a low-energy-storage design with proprietary capacitors and air-core coils. Version 2.0 added the BRS-HR tweeter, improved internal wiring, stronger mechanical coupling to the base and a hard cover that protects the tweeter. Finishes include matt black, any matt or high-gloss RAL colour, piano black, metallic paint, matt carbon fibre and Ferrari Red.

Pairing

The high sensitivity lets modest amplifiers above the stated minimum drive the Counterpoint, valve designs included, provided they handle the low impedance. The omnidirectional tweeter calls for free space around the speaker.

Alternatives

The BAYZ Audio Courante 2.0 is the smaller floorstander with two 7.5 inch SB Acoustics mid-woofers and a radial tweeter.