TECHNOLOGY
Technology alone does not a good speaker make. BUT, without it you’ll never get there.
EVOKE begins with solid engineering. Drawings. Design. CAD. Several prototypes that are improved with each pass. From there, testing and more testing.
Once we believe we have a good speaker, we have two different groups listen to about 20 music clips and rate each clip on a scale of 1 to 10.
Now it may not surprise you that one group is “golden ears”. But, the other group are non-audiophiles. Strangely they both provide exceptional input. In the case of two unique crossover designs, both groups picked the more accurate, and analytical one – which happened to be the most expensive!
In the end, while technology and experience developed a good product, the human element is equally important.
You see, we don’t want you to hear a speaker. We want you to hear the music.
DEFINED BASS
PLANAR ACCURACY
ARTICULATE MID-BASS
TIME & PHASE
Time and phase are affected by the baffle and driver placement. Each driver has its own phase parameters that change with frequency. Crossover components introduce their own phase and delay issues. Then imagine three drivers interacting with each other!
That should give you an idea of the complexity presented by time and phase. Then add in things a loudspeaker can’t control – the position of your speakers, where you sit and the acoustics of your room.
So what does EVOKE do? We takes an overall approach called T-Phase System Integration. Why? Because without this music won’t sound like music!
Key Technologies
At EVOKE, we consider every aspect of a speaker in an organic sense. These include the influence of different layers of cabinet materials, hybrid insulation and so much more. It’s not one thing – it’s the entire effort that makes it all work. We’re equally proud of what’s inside as we are of the music.
The Strat series of planar drivers are at the center of our extreme dynamics and transparency. These planars are designed in Germany specifically for EVOKE. We have four models currently in use.
They include a tweeter, extended range tweeter, an extended range mid-bass. and a bass panel. Together, they give us the ability to build a full range of speakers.
Planars are inherently better than other types of drivers. They are driven over the entire surface. The tension of the diaphragm is within less than 5% tolerance of every production unit.
By contrast a dome tweeter is slower and driven unevenly. A ribbon tweeter, while lighter, must use a transformer and is prone to damage. These tweeters are also more fragile. Finally, the electrostatic tweeter is wondrous but power is constricted and it also uses a transformer.
It’s no small feat to match a dynamic driver to a planar device. Reviewers of EVOKE speakers have been in awe that they can’t hear when one driver takes over for the other. And there’s a reason for that.
We build some of the best woofers available anywhere in the world. To match the planar, the cone must weigh under 20 grams. Both our mid and mid-bass drivers weigh less with the 5.5” weighing in at a measly 7.9 grams!
From there a transition to deep, musical bass is no easy task. An audiophile woofer will extend deep and be suitable for music or film. Unlike a regular subwoofer however it will have a low MMS (or weight). Typical subwoofers can weigh 350 grams or more. Our high-performance woofer weighs less than 150 grams – simply unheard of.
Of course, we do offer a subwoofer dedicated to the demands of a film LFE channel. It moves air. Lots of it. For concert video or movies – buckle up!
At EVOKE we spend a lot of money on crossovers. We have a set of parameters and demands that must be met. We build multiple boxes for diffraction testing. We try different crossover points. We do two focus groups – one with audiophiles and one with regular people.
We have built two exceptional crossover versions. Both sounded great with one of them being a bit warmer. In the end, the entire group picked the more analytical one. And it just so happened to be the more expensive. (Our capacitors cost a minimum of 5 to 10 times that of our competitors.)
From final approval, we use the best silver wire, hand wound air core inductors, Mundorf Supreme capacitors or better and more. Each design can survive ten times it’s maximum current. Why? If a capacitor is saturated, it changes value and so does the sound. At full power our crossovers aren’t even breaking a sweat.
Evoke CMCA
Mid-Woofers
Matching a planar driver with a cone is a challenge. EVOKE is known for achieving this seamlessly. Our exclusive Carbon Mica Ceramic Aluminum drivers are fast, have a low MMS and exceptional damping. We dare you to hear the crossover point.
EVOKE ROHACELL
Subwoofers
Bass extension is easy. Articulate and defined bass into the nether regions – well that’s a different story! Our custom subwoofer drivers feature Rohacell cones and Carbon Fiber for strength and low mass. The result is deep bass with authority that meets the demands of reference level audiophile sound.
