Напольная акустика — Final Audio Model 12

The Model 12 is a full-range electrostatic floorstanding loudspeaker from Final Audio, the Dutch company started as Final Sound in 1989 by brothers Maarten and Michiel Smits. The brand showed its first electrostatic speakers in 1991, was bought by Philips in 2004 and was revived by the founders in 2015 with a fully redesigned line. Speakers are built to order in the Netherlands in the customer's choice of frame and panel colour, with delivery taking four to six weeks, and the Model 12 was introduced in the US at USD 8,000 per pair and in Europe at EUR 12,999.

Key specs that matter

This version is rated from 48 Hz to 23 kHz within 3 dB, with a sensitivity of 88 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, a nominal impedance of 4 ohm falling to 3 ohm, and horizontal dispersion of 20 degrees. The recommended amplifier range is 30 to 200 W. The panel stands close to 180 cm tall and 36.6 cm wide, and each speaker weighs 17 kg, so it is light enough to move without help. The current Model 12+ is rated by Final at 42 Hz to 23 kHz, 6 ohm nominal and 18 kg, with a suggested 50 to 150 W amplifier.

Engineering and use context

There is no cone driver in the Model 12. A single large diaphragm covers the whole range, working as a dipole, so equal energy leaves the front and back of the panel. The diaphragm film is Teonex, stronger and lighter than Mylar, coated with indium tin oxide for conductivity. Instead of perforated metal, Final makes the stators from Perspex acrylic and prints conductive coatings onto defined areas, which allows narrow high-frequency sections. Its audio transformers are divided into multiple sections serving the different areas of the panel, so each band receives a signal tailored to it. Final names UI48 high resolution transformers as part of the parts list, alongside film capacitors of audio grade and air-core coils chosen for low loss. Gold plated terminals accept banana plugs and spades, and PMMA is among the plastics used in its construction.

Pairing

According to Final, valve amplifiers from about 20 W can drive the Model 12, and stable solid-state designs work well because they double output as the load impedance falls. Since the panel is a dipole, it needs space behind it rather than placement against a wall. Owners who want more low bass than the panel provides can add a subwoofer.

Alternatives

The taller Final Model 15 uses the same full-range electrostatic principle in a panel of more than 2 m that reaches down to 45 Hz.