![]() The drivers' flat shape causes sound to radiate forward into the listening area and less up or down. The best planar speakers produce sound that is light, airy, and all the other adjectives you use when you want to say a speaker's sound detail and imaging are kick-butt. Whereas previous planar drivers were typically limited in output volume and frequency range, BG's designs compete very well with traditional high-frequency transducers. Planar-ribbon drivers reproduce high and some midrange frequencies by rapidly moving a thin, very light ribbon of material with attached conductors using small but very powerful magnets. You'll find a version of this driver in both the R-17i (LCR) and the R-18i (surround) on-wall speakers that BG sent my way, along with a BG 210i subwoofer, for this review.īG developed the initial design for their planar magnetic-ribbon drivers in the early 1990s. The use of planar-ribbon drivers for mid- and high-frequency reproduction is the BG speakers' primary not-like-the-others feature. But, other than a select few, no one knows about this engineering émigré working assiduously behind the scenes. Although this imaginary vodka-infused conversation might get a little fuzzy and slurred, nothing but clarity comes from BG's planar-ribbon drivers-and much of that is due to Levitsky's refinements and innovations. I can easily envision myself sitting down and slamming vodka shots with him while discussing the merits of planar-ribbon-driver technology. He's an extremely likeable, highly focused guy. One way is due to the company's VP of engineering, Igor Levitsky. Differentiation is definitely different now-it's a heck of a lot harder to do.īG sets their speakers apart in a couple of ways. They're everywhere, including in some HTIB systems. (Imagine that.) But on-wall speakers are no longer unusual. In some cases, these speakers were even voiced to sound their best when mounted on a wall. They were slim, contemporary in style, and loosely matched the flatness of plasma TVs, plus, until recently, only a handful were on the market. Maybe I should say, "thingamajig." On-wall speakers used to stand out from the crowd by their ability not to stand out. "Unique element of differentiation" is too clinical but more on the mark. "Gimmick" is too harsh of a word, really. To stand out from the crowd, a speaker (or any product) needs to have a gimmick. Mate it with powerful, well-designed electronics and source components, and you'll be engrossed in music and film.Hang a blue ribbon on the wall for these planar-driver speakers. These make music sound realistic and should be considered by the audiophile who loves home theater. Requires powerful, state-of-the-art electronics to maximize playbackĭemands much room to breathe and is quite inflexible regarding setup requirements The black anodized aluminum is attractive but shows fingerprints This system is pricey, so insist on auditioning before you buy Large, steel crossmember plinth with spikes provides stability The above listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.īohlender-Graebener Radia Series Speaker SystemĪ 59-pound tower, a 51-pound tower, and a 52-pound center channel Tweeter (size in inches, type):Ĕ0, planar ribbonĭimensions (H x W x D, inches): 58.875 x 9.25 x 13.25 Midrange (size in inches, type): 8, planar ribbon (2)ĭimensions (H x W x D, inches):Ę.25 x 41 x 12 ![]() Tweeter (size in inches, type): 3, planar ribbon Woofer (size in inches, type):Ė.5, paper cone (2)ĭimensions (H x W x D, inches):ė0.25 x 9.25 x 13.25 Tweeter (size in inches, type):ĕ0, planar ribbon Woofer (size in inches, type):đ0, Kevlar cones in a reaction-canceling design (2)ĭimensions (H x W x D, inches):đ4.5 x 13.5 x 17.8 At A Glance: Bohlender-Graebener Radia Series Speaker System
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