JORDAN SYSTEMS

Many of the problems associated with loudspeaker system design stem from the need to overcome the intrinsic limitations of conventional drivers. Given, however, a range of drivers each of which alone can provide a very acceptable sound quality within its power range limits, system design can be incredibly simple, with very few, if any, crossover components and non critical enclosure design. While this is of tremendous value to the D.I.Y. enthusiast who wants to get to his music with as little hassle as possible, the options are wide open for the knowledgeable speaker builder to explore every conceivable crossover type and box alignment where the accuracy of computer modelling is greatly improved by the stability of the JORDAN suspension.

Whilst we accept the value of computer modelling we do so with caution, preferring to actually build systems and assess them aurally against our live sound experience. We feel that modelling alone can produce the sonic equivalent of 'painting by numbers'. We naturally accept that some aspects of the JORDAN approach may not always be in accordance with conventional thinking.

 

SYSTEM DESIGNS

All of the systems described have been built and judged for their ability to recreate the living presence of naturally produced music and may be used as aural benchmarks against which the sound quality of more esoteric designs may be judged. The enclosure designs show the basic requirements only. Box proportions and shape may be varied provided the enclosed volume is maintained.

Medium Density Fibreboard (M.D.F.) of the shown thickness is a minimum requirement. Other materials may be use with propriety damping panels if necessary to avoid panel resonances but the box should be resized to maintain the chosen volume.

All closed box systems should be well filled with an appropriate fibre material to avoid internal reflections. NOTE: This will tend to slightly lower the system resonance and Qs. Vented systems should be lined with fibre material to a depth of 30-40 mm. Vents must be unlined and bevelled or flared at each end.

 

DIY SYSTEMS

There have been a number of innovative designs for our drivers posted on the web. We have brought together the best of these onto our DIY page. This also features basic parameters for some of our legacy systems with matching enclosure designs. Whilst we have not tested all of these, there have been very good reports online.