09/12/2024
Proof is emerging (after a long hiatus)...!
DEQX steals the shows!
DEQX at StereoNet show October 2024 … “how is that even possible?” (show visitor)
At Melbourne's Annual StereoNet show in October, we showcased our Gen-4 products. In our active room, we had the Pre-8 running DEQX-HD-Active, while in our passive room, the Pre-4 and LS-200 drove passive VAF speakers. The show was exceptional, featuring systems priced from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
See previous post - "The DEQX room for passive speakers"
The DEQX HD-Active room
The Pre-8 running DEQX-HD-Active in a 3-way, DIY-built isobaric box, each driven by our prototype Purifi tri-amp AMPY3 ‘active’ tower amps. Our setup, costing around $35k, including two REL subwoofers and DIY speakers, stood out. The enthusiastic responses from most visitors confirmed our impression that our sound was unmatched.
Our success is rooted in the Pre-8's ‘HD-Active’ mode, representing the third generation of active speaker architecture we introduced in the late '90s. Unlike traditional passive Hi-Fi speakers, active speakers—commonly used in professional audio—feature a dedicated amplifier for each transducer (woofer, midrange, tweeter), allowing for precise, steep active crossover filters at pre-amp signal levels. This avoids the limitations and compromises of passive crossovers that handle hundreds of watts post-amplification.
Even six-figure passive speakers at the show couldn't escape these inherent limitations. While many sounded good, even great, they lacked that sense of astonishment. Active setups consistently improve resolution and frequency response, but timing coherence—essential for that “being there” experience—remains a challenge. Our ‘HD-Active’ architecture solves this, elevating active speakers, or upgraded passive speakers, to new heights.
DEQX HD-Active uses steep linear-phase crossovers to eliminate distortion and mitigate midrange ‘on-axis beaming,’ creating a natural, omnidirectional sound dispersion that significantly widens and deepens the soundstage.
We also calibrate the impulse response of each driver to restore original timing coherence and precise frequency-response accuracy.
AMPY2 and AMPY3 are available as either floor standing (shown) or as “bolt on” which is mounted directly to the back of the speaker cabinet.
Despite the rushed setup and testing in less-than-ideal hotel rooms, the speakers, measured close to the baffle to reduce room reflections, performed exceptionally well. The entire setup process, connecting to DEQX-Cloud in unfamiliar conditions, took just a couple of hours with our Pre-8’s software still in Beta. Many attendees told us ours was the best sound at the show, affirming our efforts. StereoNet reviewer said:
“DEQX had put their engineering to work in the Pre-8 to measure the room and speakers and then perform their digital filtering and compensation – in a world-first linear phase filter with 70dB/dec filter slope. Sonically, the room was set up with a near-field listening position. Behind the speaker stand was a neat tall chassis containing Class D amplifiers to drive the speakers. The amplification chassis is designed to fit onto the rear panel of almost any 3-way speaker cabinet.
In the front row of seats, about 1.6m back from the speakers, it was a sonic revelation. The speakers disappeared, the soundstage was out past the box edge and the vocals floating between the boxes. All this is also at low to mid-volume levels - the imaging was very, very good. DEQX has been re-engineering their solution, and this new chassis, electronics, and software presented a superb sonic image for all listeners.” 2024 StereoNET Melbourne Hi-Fi & AV Show Report, Posted on 23rd October 2024.
