Peak Speaker Modules

Description

Astounding critics and consumers alike, Quiescent’s multiple award-winning Speaker Modules eliminate microphonic noise generated by the transference of speaker vibration into your system’s sensitive electronic components, all while reducing distortion from unwanted EMI and RFI energy using our patented technology provides for a startlingly accurate and realistic visual feel to the sound.

Quiescent have long known that the mechanical transfer of energy is more efficient through solid conductors than through air. This principle has driven us to find ways of preventing the vibration from being directly transferred into the amplifier and subsequently into other sensitive electronics. This vibration is one of the driving forces behind microphonic generated signals that lead to the perception of distortion or harshness in the music.

The Peak Speaker Modules are constructed in ultra-low resonant high-grade solid block aluminium casework. WBT nextgen™ silver pole terminals connect the speaker module to a cable, and the lead-outs are fitted with either solid silver 8mm spades or 4mm banana plugs.

Technology

Loudspeaker manufacturers have spent considerable time and effort in ensuring that the vibration from the drive units is channelled forward to the listener and not propagated through the speaker cabinet where is lost or transferred to sensitive crossover electronics. Despite their best efforts, one path of mechanical energy transfer still exists in the form of wiring from the drive units to the crossover boards which, in turn, is transmitted down the speaker cables into the power amplifiers. This vibration agitates the internal electronics to produce microphonic noise that is modulated with the musical signal we want to hear.

Quiescent have long known that the mechanical transfer of energy is more efficient through solid conductors than through air. It is this principle that has driven them to find ways of preventing the vibration from being transferred directly into the amplifier and subsequently into other sensitive electronics. The Vertex Moncayo was the first product to address this problem and it, and its derivatives have received many plaudits and are installed in many systems around the world.

Whilst the Moncayo cables with associated absorption modules are very good at their job, there were three main issues we felt we needed to solve. The first of these was supportability. The Moncayo is an integrated speaker cable product where the absorption modules are hard-wired and so needed to be built to custom orders of speaker cable lengths. This led to customers waiting for their cables to be built which often led to delays due to high demand. The second issue was flexibility. We received many customer enquiries asking whether we could produce a custom order using their preferred speaker cables. A

To address these issues, Quiescent developed the Peak Speaker Connection System which uses a modular solution to the problem. They can either be used with existing speaker cables or the Apex or Peak speaker cables. Should a system re-configuration or relocation be required, it is only the cable that requires adjustment with the Peak Speaker Module requiring no changes. The modules can be neatly stack on top of each for use in bi-wire or tri-wire systems allowing for a much tidier arrangement than the Moncayo.

Of course, Quiescent do not feel that the Moncayo should be replaced without a significant performance improvement. As well as vibration, the speaker cable is a perfect transmission path for unwanted EMI and RFI energy and our breakthrough has been absorbing more of this inside the module using a patented technology developed for all their new products. Using a complex high carbon polymer absorption matrix, the module is a highly efficient grounding device that absorbs the high frequency mechanical and RFI energy. These standing waves amplify the signal being received by the loudspeakers at certain frequency leading to harshness or exaggeration of certain instrumental sounds. By ensuring that the Peak has an exceptional return loss across a wideband in the high frequency domain, the module prevents these waves reflecting backwards and forward along the cable. This results in a significant reduction in noise being modulated with the musical signal.

Using a pair of modules directly connected to your loudspeakers will transform your audio experience to something that feels much more like the artist intended. The modular approach is also key to finding upgrade paths. By separating the high-frequency from mid and low-frequency signal paths and using a pair of speaker links on the Peak’s binding posts, the modules act as intervention devices preventing cross-pollution between the drive units.

So, for a loudspeaker that has two or three sets of input terminals, these modules are stacked by the loudspeaker using the unique stacking system and connected directly to each terminal isolating the low, medium, and high-frequency drivers on the signal line. Placing another set directly behind the amplifier is the ultimate in the Peak Speaker Connection System configuration allowing the speakers and electronics to do what their designers had intended; uninterrupted, flowing and truly realistic reproduction of the music where it is possible to perceive where the performers are not only left and right but also high/low and front/back in the imaging. This is thanks to the restoration of vital phase information that is usually the first part of the musical signal that is lost when standing wave modulation takes place.

The MK-I version of the module has been given high praise achieving the Audio Excellence status from HiFi Critic. The MK-II is an impressive technology leap forward and will leave you reaching for music in your collection that had been previously discarded because it seemingly sounded poorly recorded.