All about the New Models and Improvements to the NZ made Image Loudspeaker range at Totally Wired

The New Zealand made Image Loudspeaker range is unique. Each model has it’s own distinct character but all are designed and made with the passionate aim of providing us with the best possible sound quality and value for money at any level. Chris Ball - the proprietor and designer is one of the most astute listeners you’ll find and he is continuously looking for ways to improve his speakers. So for 2010 we build on all the refinement that has gone before.

All current Studio Reference, 412, 414 and Revelation models now have new constraint-layer mechanical damping fitted on internal cabinet panels to further reduce any cabinet 'signature'. For while Image speaker are noted for the fantastic wood finishes, it's hugely important that you don’t have a cabinet that generates uncontrolled resonance which can only cloud the sound quality.

The floor-standing models are now greatly improved by a 'tapered design' base that increases the footprint of the cabinet and adds visual impact. You can also upgrade any existing Image floor-standers with these bases - (and we could even be cheeky and point out that there are plenty of imported speakers that could also benefit).

All current models now use Mundorf non-inductive resistors in HF circuit crossovers. These resistors give a more open and airy sound to the treble. During 2009, the high frequency drivers in models from the 412 upwards were all improved - the new tweeter flange is reshaped to extend dispersion. It is also slightly more efficient due to this, and so the cross-over values were further refined. Bolts are now used for securing all bass and mid-range drivers giving better mechanical integrity.

So you can see that while the Image range may still have familiar model names and numbers, the speakers we now have are the best yet. A common thread does run through the ‘sound’ of Images. All are reasonably efficient, so you’ll get plenty of music out with even modestly powered amplifiers. This also gives us a dynamic and involving sound. Efficiency also means it doesn’t take much to get everything moving - so at quiet listening levels, you’ll still get a well rounded sound Many other speakers will sound muted by comparison and really don’t 'light up' until you push them hard. With the Images you’ll get a wealth of detail and well balanced bass at any listening level. If pushed hard you’ll really appreciate the 3 inch voice coils in the Morel bass/mid drivers used on many models - these have two critical advantages. The first is near indestructibility. But the most important for us is a lack of thermal compression - most bass drivers start to muddy up as they are pushed and the voice coils heat up - the size, conductive aluminium former and ventilation designed into these drivers stops that happening.

Petite Performa

It would seem a hard thing to improve upon these drivers but that is just what has now happened. The new Morel 6" driver had been tested and compared with the standard Morel 6" Image use. The new one has a carbon fibre/Rohacell sandwich cone, is frighteningly expensive, but the results are amazing. Just to give you an idea of the quality of this driver, it’s at the heart of Morels own Fat Lady loudspeaker system at US$32,000 . The carbon fibre is layered either side of Rohacell to create an ultra-stiff/self damped sandwich cone structure with superb technical parameters and stunning sound quality. Morel describe this driver as their flagship reference and we can hear why. Air around voices never heard before, pinpoint imaging, and finely layered depth of field that is seldom revealed.

To best take advantage of this advanced driver, Chris has chosen to revisit his most detailed and refined design - the compact Petite Performa. The original model is a classic two way speaker system that looks very much like the best selling Studio Reference model, but offers more detail, speed and efficiency by virtue of better components and lower colouration derived from advanced cabinet construction and damping. The improvements are immediately obvious on demonstration. Matching the performance of this new driver, Chris has selected the proven the Morel Supreme 110 tweeter (which is also used in the ultimate Image model - the PARAGON.) It may well be the most accurate and revealing HF unit available from any designer. This tweeter works flawlessly together with the revolutionary new 16cm bass/midrange driver from Morel which is at the heart of the new Petite.

Petite Performa2 has the ‘traditional Image’ appearance but construction is from a time-consuming build up of internal laminated sections with a resulting wall thickness of 31mm. Additional bracing creates a totally inert and sonically dead cabinet. Open-cell acoustic foam and a specific density of NZ wool is placed within the enclosures for critical acoustic damping and energy control.

The crossovers use only the best components to ensure that every piece of music reaches the drivers. Copper foil inductors, polypropylene film capacitors with pure silver leads and Mundorf non-inductive resistors are all hardwired and then connected to the drivers by OFC Supra cable from Sweden for the ultimate signal transfer. As expected of Image, the input terminals are from WBT in Germany.

But if the differences between the Studio Reference and original Petite Performa are easily worthwhile for just $500, what can we expect from the Petite Performa2? The fact is that the new PP2 is in fact the replacement for the Illusions - the combination of new drivers and enhanced construction mean that Chris is getting more out of this compact design that could previously have been extracted from the floor-standing Illusions. Less is more!

This is only part of the story… For those of you with encyclopedic hifi memories, you may recall an Image model from about 12 years ago - the 'Performance en Mass'. This featured physically separate enclosures for bass and mid/treble, that stacked and were at that time, the top of the Image range. Like all good ideas, it has proved worth revisiting and with the Petite Performa2 it allows us some intriguing possibilities.

One thing is certain - the Petite Performa is not a bookshelf speaker. It needs space around it to work it’s magic and if selecting a set, you’d have to be factoring in a high quality stand. They are no different from our favorite Italian audio obsessives - Sonus faber - in this regard. For all of these speakers to perform at their best we recommend that they are positioned in free space and away from side walls and furnishings. This will ensure a well-spread soundstage and layered depth of field.

However, rather than going down the track of a conventional stand, Chris has come up with a much better solution:

He’s made a stand for the Petite Performa2 which is essentially an extension of the cabinet - For NZ$800 you can get THE STAND which has the same footprint as PP2 and has the veneer grain going up and over each PP2 and on the front. Just look at this photo. THE STAND must be ordered with the PP2's though to ensure the grain matches perfectly and the cost is really not much more than basic metal stands. The finish of the stand is clean with no grill studs and it features the same new base that has so greatly improved the performance of the existing floor-standing models.

Now - if you have a stand that it effectively a cabinet, why not insert drivers? Just return THE STAND to Image (customers cost to and return) and Image will convert THE STAND to MASS by adding drivers, ports, crossovers, damping material and input terminals. All for NZ$1200/pr RRP. For that extra bass extension or in larger rooms, we recommend Image MASS, a two driver bass system designed specifically for Petite Performa2. MASS is basically THE STAND with the addition of drivers, ports and inputs, plus the low-pass crossover designed to match the Petites perfectly. This provides a wonderful cost effective upgrade path for Image owners.

So on a purely functional level, the PP2 and Stand replace the Illusion as a model - and sound a lot better. The full PP2 system offers a nice alternative to the Revelations - The PP2/MASS system has the edge in terms of refinement and is physically smaller and more elegant. This new system from Image is designed to take on the worlds best loudspeakers from any country. The fact that they are handmade in New Zealand by a designer with over 30 years of experience and is a nice guy to boot is a bonus. But the real winner is you, the Image owner because you'll enjoy fantastic sound, proven reliability and have a beautifully finished pair of speakers that will last a lifetime. That's unbeatable value for money.

New Petite performa 2 - NZ$3600 the pair including GST
PP2 STAND - NZ$1000 the pair - order with PP2s
MASS Upgrade on STAND - NZ$1200
Complete PP2-MASS system - NZ$5500

SPECIFICATIONS

System type - 2-way, rear ported
HF driver - Morel Supreme 110, 28mm soft dome, frequency matched pairs
Bass/midrange driver - Morel Carbon fibre/Rohacell composite sandwich cone in Uniflow Aluminium
die-cast chassis. 3' Large Hexatech Aluminium voice coil with Copper insulated centre pole.
Room response - 45Hz-22kHz
Averaged sensitivity - 87dB/1 watt
Impedance - 8 ohms nominal
Crossover - 2600Hz
Dimensions(cm) - 42.5 x 19.5 x 29.6 (h x w x d)
Weight - 11.5kg nett each
Facilities - Single WBT gold input terminals

So why choose to buy your Image speakers from Totally Wired?

Totally Wired are an independent, locally owned retail store. We therefore have no financial connection with any import agency. Hence, we have always been strong supporters of the worthy New Zealand manufacturers.

We have a real store and carry stock so you can come in and listen. Failing that we have many years of selling Image speakers and have the expertise to help you choose.

So, even if you are outside of Dunedin, its reassuring to deal with people that you know will answer the phone when you call and will be around next year. Plus, we will deliver to you for free.

And we make a worthwhile donation to the World Wide fund for Nature with every purchase over NZ$ 2,000.

Related links

• Image Loudspeakers
• Image Supreme
• Image Revelation
• Image 400 Series
• Image Home Cinema
• Image On Wall Speakers
• Slinkylinks Cable