Напольная акустика — Pbn Audio STUDIO REFERENCE 10

Designed by PBN Audio as a three-way tower, the Studio Reference 10 completes the two-model Studio Reference Series alongside the larger SR14. The series follows PBN's practice of restoring vintage drivers and combining them with current components. In this model the bass units are rebuilt woofers originally designed in California in the 1970s, paired with a modern dome midrange and a ring dome tweeter.

Key specs that matter

Two LE10H1 woofers of 10 inch diameter with AQP coated cones are mounted on the front baffle. The midrange is a 2.5 inch Satori textile dome, and treble is handled by a 1 inch SB ring dome. Crossover points are set at 850 Hz and 3,000 Hz. PBN quotes a frequency response of 35 Hz to 30 kHz and a nominal impedance of 4 ohm, with system sensitivity rated at 92 dB for 2.83 V at 1 m. The cabinet measures roughly 30 cm wide, 43 cm deep and 107 cm high, and each speaker weighs close to 50 kg.

Engineering and use context

The woofer rebuild is the core of the design. PBN takes original vintage units apart, sandblasts and powder coats the baskets and cleans the magnet systems. New AQP coated cones sourced from Japan are then fitted together with new voice coils, spiders and surrounds, so the old motor structure works with fresh moving parts. The midrange dome uses dynamic stabilisation and has a driver sensitivity of 95 dB on its own, while the 4-ring tweeter dome is chosen for a low resonance frequency and raised efficiency. Using a dome for the midrange band means the woofer pair hands over fairly low, keeping the woofer cones out of the upper midrange. Cabinets are built to order with a choice of wood veneers.

Pairing

The low nominal impedance means choosing an amplifier specified into such loads, while the rated efficiency keeps power demands moderate in a room of around 20 m2. PBN's own Olympia EB-SA amplifiers and Olympia preamplifiers form a same-brand chain, and the company also builds GrooveMaster turntables for a complete analogue front end. A tube amplifier with a low-impedance output tap is a workable option given the sensitivity, whereas one built only around 8 ohm taps would be a less suitable choice.

Alternatives

The PBN Audio Studio Reference 14 is the bigger sibling in this line, with two 14 inch AQP coated woofers, a 3 inch midrange, a beryllium dome tweeter and a cabinet of about 84 kg.