Напольная акустика — Ø Audio Icon 12

The Icon 12 is a horn-loaded two-way tower speaker from Ø Audio, a Norwegian maker of high-end speakers based in Drammen that also trades under the name Urr Audio. It follows the original Icon model, and its US price is quoted at USD 23,400 per pair, with a European figure of about EUR 20,000. The current range places it beside the Frigg 02, the Verdande and the newer Ymir.

Key specs that matter

Two drive units share the work. Bass and midrange come from a single 12 inch (30.5 cm) ultra-linear, long-stroke extended-range woofer that uses Linear Motor Technology and Dynamic Fixed Inductance Technology. Above it sits a 3.4 inch (8.6 cm) compression driver with a thin-ply carbon fibre diaphragm. The maker states a range of 28 Hz to 20 kHz, a sensitivity of 92 dB and a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. Each cabinet stands 111 cm tall, 37 cm wide and 51 cm deep at the base, narrowing to 34 cm deep at the top, and the aluminium outrigger feet widen the footprint to 52 cm. One speaker weighs 55 kg.

Engineering and use context

Ø Audio mounts the compression driver in a constant-directivity waveguide that the company calls the Quad Vertex Sound Field horn, abbreviated Q.V.S.T., whose job is to control dispersion so the speaker integrates cleanly with the listening space. The enclosure is asymmetrical and has no parallel walls, a shape chosen to reduce internal resonances and reflections. Bass loading is reflex, through two ports placed toward the side and rear of the cabinet. Two foam plugs come with each speaker, so the ports can be closed partly or fully to trim low-frequency output in a 20 m2 space or a larger one. Each cabinet carries only one pair of binding posts, which rules out bi-amping from the rear panel. Finishes listed by the company are high-gloss Piano Black, White Matte and high-gloss Piano Walnut, with custom colours also offered.

Pairing

According to Ø Audio, the load has no impedance dips below its nominal value, which together with the high efficiency makes it an easy match for valve amplifiers as well as transistor and class D designs. Low-powered single-ended triode amplifiers therefore come into consideration, as do compact integrated amplifiers that would struggle with a 4 ohm tower.

Alternatives

The Ø Audio Frigg 02 opens the Ø Audio floorstanding range, a three-way hybrid design with SEAS drivers rated from 29 Hz to 30 kHz.