Напольная акустика — Tekton Design POLYCELL 15

The Polycell 15 is a three-way Tekton Design tower that sells for USD 4,670 per pair. It pairs two 15-inch woofers with a high-frequency array based on compression radiators, which gives it an unusually high sensitivity for a home loudspeaker. Tekton produces it in Utah, where founder Eric Alexander runs the company.

Key specs that matter

Two 15-inch woofers work with a polygon-oriented compression-radiator array for the upper frequencies, and the array waveguides are offered in red, blue, green, yellow or gold, black, white, purple or custom colours. Frequency response is 30 Hz to 30 kHz, sensitivity is 103 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, nominal impedance is 4 ohms and power handling is 1,500 W. The cabinet measures about 1,448 x 514 x 356 mm and weighs about 61.2 kg. Tekton gives no count for the compression drivers.

Engineering and use context

A compression driver loads a small diaphragm through a narrow throat into a waveguide, which raises efficiency compared with a direct-radiating dome, and this explains much of the sensitivity of the Polycell 15. Tekton arranges them in its patented polygon-oriented pattern, US Patent 9247339, adapted here to compression radiators instead of soft or metal domes. The two 15-inch woofers provide a large cone area for bass and lower midrange, about twice that of the single 15-inch driver in the Epic 15. The low impedance and high power rating mean the speaker accepts very high amplifier power. The coloured waveguides are a visible design choice, and the buyer can match them to the paint of the cabinet. An upgrade package with Cardas inputs, military-specification wiring and upgraded capacitors and inductors is offered, and both bi-wiring and bi-amping cost USD 75 extra.

Pairing

Into this load, 2.83 V corresponds to about 2 W, so single-ended triode and other low-power amplifiers can drive the Polycell 15 to high levels, provided they handle a 4 ohm load. Large solid-state amplifiers can use the power reserve for very high output in big rooms. The wide cabinet needs space, and the speaker suits rooms of well over 20 m2. No subwoofer is needed with twin 15-inch woofers.

Alternatives

The Tekton Design PMD Control Monitor is another large floor-standing model, with four 10-inch woofers in a sealed Bessel-aligned cabinet, 96 dB sensitivity and 900 W handling.