1. 3-way 7 units Floor Standing Loudspeaker
Equipment Review
Specification:
By TAO, CHUNG-HAO ³³©¾»¨, from Audio Art µÅT½×¾Â No. 269
I first saw the brand-new mz-L3 Speakers about half a year ago when I was listening to the mini-Zenith mz-L2/mz-L2w Speaker System developed by Doctor JEN-YIE CHEN from mini-Zenith in Kaohsiung. Though the system was not ready for playing at that time, I was totally amazed by the size of the mini-Zenith mz-L3 --- huge loudspeaker cabinet. To be honest, I had more doubts to the speaker than the surprises the huge cabinet brings to me.
mini-Zenith Hi-End Acoustic Suspension Full-Range Speaker
mz-L3 ¡§Phantom of Music¡¨
Technical Specification of Phantom of Music:
2. Frequency response: 28 Hz ¡ã40KHz (-3db) 20Hz¡ã40KHz (-6db)
3. Crossover: 7.2KHz, 130Hz
4. Sensitivity: 90 db
5. Nominal impedance: 4 Ohm
6. Rated power: 350 W
7. Dimension(WHD): 400 x 1760 x 850 mm
8. Weight: 200 kg( one speaker )
9. Suggested retail price in Taiwan NT dollar: 1,180,000 NT dollars
Mini Zenith mz-L3
Embodiment of Angel & Demon
Floor-stand Loudspeakers
Three-way, Seven-unit, Floor-stand, Enclosed-cabinet Loudspeakers.
Time to market: December 2010.
Frequency Response: 28Hz∼40kHz(-3dB), 20Hz∼40kHz (-6dB);
Crossover Frequencies: 7.2kHz, 130Hz;
Sensitivity: 90dB;
Average Impedance: 4£[;
Power Rating: 350W:
Size (WHD): 400¡Ñ1,760¡Ñ850mm;
Weight: 200KG(one unit);
Reference Price: New Taiwan Dollar(NT$) 1,180,000;
Manufacturer: mini-Zenith High-End Audio, Taiwan (+886-936-450272).
Out of the Traditional Version
What I doubted was what was the purpose of Doctor Chen¡¦s design of mz-L2/mz-L2w loudspeakers ¡V to gain the lowest LOS and natural and exquisite tone of the Diatone P-610S Full-range One Driver Speaker, but the cabinet of mz-L3 is expended in large scale this time and each channel has 4 P-610S speakers, which heightens the design difficulties and risks, plus the design of three-way crossover,
Diatone P-610s
how many of the characteristics can be retained? Besides, the front baffle is so wide, so won¡¦t this cause diffraction? However, based on the previous experience on testing and appraising mini-Zenith products, I know these doubts are quite normal, because Doctor Chen always comes out with incredible yet convincing ideas and innovations. Therefore, there must be some rational explanations to the unusual design of mz-L3.
Super Complicated Cabinet Structure
Super Complicated Internal Structure of mz-L3
First, let¡¦s look at the speaker cabinet. There are seven independent chambers in the huge cabinet, of which four enclosed pyramid type chambers are designed for the 4 Diatone P-610S speakers.
Enclosed Pyramid Type Chambers for Diatone P-610s
This design not only decreases the stationary wave with the help of non-parallel surface, but also eliminates the energy of back wave. Besides, the sharp-nose high driver of the Scan-Speak R2904/70000 also has its own independent chamber.
Scan-Speak R-2904
The rest of the cabinet space are designed for the two 10-inch Scan-Speak 26W8861 low drivers.
Scan-Speak 26W8861T
However, the real reason why mz-L3 is so huge is because Doctor Chen adopts the enclosed cabinet that he all along holds fast to, which has the advantages of good control of frequency response linearity and low frequency, quick transient response , however, the volume of cabinet must be enlarged if to gain more sufficient low frequency energy and lower low-frequency extension. Therefore, according to Doctor Chen¡¦s calculation, mz-L3 is at the lowest limit of volume though it looks pretty big. Now let¡¦s come to the diffraction. For the high driver, the front baffle of mz-L3 is wide enough to close to the state of plane source vocalization without baffle, so the diffraction does not exist at all. For the MF driver, the four P-610S speakers arranged in parallel have formed the line source vocalization, which is also not subject to the influence of diffraction. Apparently, the parts that are most likely subject to the influence of diffraction are the frequency bands of middle frequency and above, which has been under control of Doctor¡¦s calculation.
Motivate Full Potential of P-610S
Let¡¦s look at the configuration of mz-L3 speaker. All the speaker models of mz-L3 are the same as mz-L2/mz-L2w, so people may misunderstand that mz-L3 is the magnified version of mz-L2/mz-L2w. But the design concepts of these two are absolutely different. Doctor Chen clearly states that mz-L2/mz-L2w pursues the individuality with every design tries to reveal the unique charms of P-610S Full-range Speaker, while mz-L3 are designed towards the direction of mainstream, complete and excellent acoustic performance. The biggest difference of the two is that this time P-610S is not designed to display its full-range, but its playback frequency is restricted between 130Hz and 7.2kHz in order to give full play to the best working frequency range of P-610S.
In order to stimulate the full potential of P-610S, Doctor Chen takes the following actions:
1st, selection of crossovers ¡V the high-pass crossover is set at 7.2kHz to deactivate the work frequency of the high tone ring (a ring type diaphragm that playbacks the high frequency range with mechanistic partials) built in the meshed dust-proof cover thus making the speaker operate more dedicatedly; the low-pass crossover is set at 130Hz, which is the lower extension limit of the best work frequency range of P-610S. Obviously, Doctor Chen hopes that P-610S can cover as much of the performance frequency range of most instruments as possible, though he restricts its working range.
2nd, mz-L3 uses 4 P-610S speakers connected in parallel for each channel ¡V the workload of one speaker is shared by 4 speakers, in order to release the burden of P-610S. The result for doing so is that the piston motion of P-610S is too small to be seen when mz-L3 is working, which not only effectively reduces the distortion, but also resolves the inborn restraint that P-610S cannot bear too much power.
3rd, Doctor Chen thinks a lot at the design of partial circuit. In order to make P-610S work dedicatedly within the frequency range set by Doctor Chen, he sets two partials at 130Hz and 60Hz respectively, which release the playback burden at the lowest frequency range. As for the materials, he adopts the most advanced M-cap gold and silver foil capacitance and Solen inductance.
Exquisite Voice and String Music
But what a wonderful sound can this unique design bring us? Let¡¦s listen to the ¡§Yiskor¡¨ from the album ¡§Hebraic Legacies¡¨. I really can¡¦t believe my ears, because what flows out from the huge body of mz-L3 which weighs 200KG is the delighting, exquisite and comfortable violin sound. The performance details and slight trends can be clearly reproduced even at small volume. Actually, I¡¦m pretty familiar with the sound of such exquisite and natural sound of violin, because I have a pair of old Diatone P-610. I know it¡¦s just the playback characteristic of this classical full-range speaker. However, mz-L3 realizes it in a more relaxed way and this sense of relaxation is built upon a completely stable feeling. I can¡¦t believe that the design which seems to complicate the playback way of the full-range speaker, on the contrary, strengthens the original characteristic of P-610S. The facts proves that Doctor Chen¡¦s intention of releasing the workload of P-610S is correct and successful.However, the surprises that mz-L3 brings to me are still not over yet. The more albums I listen with it, the more obviously I feel the sensibility of mz-L3 in identifying different types of recordings. The recording of violin is from distance or nearby, the tone quality is hard or soft ¡V I can tell them all clearly. And, it¡¦s not only with the high frequency. For any recordings that are reinforced in the low frequency, mz-L3 can also reveal the elements without any conservation.
Powerful Low-frequency Performance
I took the bursting period of ¡§Angels and Demons¡¨ to test the low-frequency performance. Out of my expectation, the once soft and graceful mz-L3 gave out powerful low frequency like the volcanic eruption, sufficient low-frequency dynamics fill every corner of the half-open space of 20 square meters. Doctor Chen turned up the volume without the slightest hesitancy. The powerful and profound low-frequency waves strike one after another, shocking every inch of air in the listening room with the overwhelming sense of authoritativeness. Despite of the powerfulness, the low frequency can be released and withdrawn freely and the low-frequency extends solidly with clear levels. There was any slightest mess even with the most complicated period. This, on one hand, shows great control power of mz-L3, and on the other hand, is ascribed to the shocking Class-A post drive strength of mz-P3 designed by Doctor Chen. We turned to Marcus Miller¡¦s album ¡§Marcus¡¨. The low frequency of electronic bass was firm and definite, full of sense of weight. Though the sense of speed is not fast, the display way was pretty stable. If allow me to take car as a metaphor, mz-L3 is not a small sports car that is hard to drive, but a high-emission luxury car, full of power, providing passengers with great sense of stable and comfortable. When it came to the bursting period again, I found that though mz-L3 performed quite enthusiastically, it was still very conservative in high and middle frequency. Therefore, I could rarely hear any harsh and blurt high frequency.Irreplaceable
mz-L3 is a pair of loudspeakers with different qualities ¡V the preciousness and exquisiteness of small speakers, the grand and wide sound field display of large speakers as well as the unique charms of P-610S Full-range Speaker. It can be gentle and soft, delight and elegant, like an lovely angel; but it can also be like the violent storm that swallows everything ¡V the low frequency is powerful enough to make people burn with passions and completely satisfied. When listening to mz-L3, please do remember to play more CDs, because mz-L3 would show you different charms with different recordings. Though Doctor Chen tried to draw close to the mainstream, obviously he created another unique and irreplaceable loudspeaker. The real genius is always uncommon, and so is the loudspeaker he designs.
器材外燴
mini-Zenith mz-L3
天使與魔鬼的化身
落地式喇叭
三音路七單體密閉式落地喇叭。推出時間：2010年12月。頻率響應：28Hz ~ 40Hz(-3dB)，分頻點：7.2Hz、130Hz，靈敏度：90dB。平均阻抗4Ω。承受必v：350W。外觀尺寸 (WHD)：400×1,760×850mm，重量：200公斤。參考售價：1,180,000元。製造商：征宇科技(0936-450272)。 文︱陶忠豪 本文章摘自音響論壇第269期
大約半年前，我在高雄試聽征宇科技陳醫師的mini Zenith mz-L2/mz-L2w喇叭系統時，第一次見到了開發中的全新mz-L3喇叭，那時這款喇叭尚未開聲，表現如何無從得知，但是 「大到嚇人的喇叭箱體」，卻令我印象非常深刻。不過老實說，當時我對這款喇叭的疑惑其實遠大於巨大體積所帶給我的驚訝。
再次跳脫傳統框架
我的疑惑是，陳醫師之前設計mz-L2/mz-L2w喇叭的目的，是為了擷取Diatone P-610S全音域單體最低訊號耗損與自然細膩的音質特色。但是這次mz-L3的箱體大幅膨脹，而且每聲 道一口氣採用了四只P-610S，設計難度更高、變數更多，加上改採三路分音設計，P-610S的特質如今還能保留幾分？此外前障板如此寬闊，難道不會造成繞射干擾嗎？不過，多次 評論mini Zenith產品的經驗告訴我，這些疑惑完全是正常反應，因為陳醫師每次出手總有令人驚奇卻又不得不信服的創意巧思，這次mz-L3再度跳脫傳統設計框架，也絕對有其合 理的解釋。
箱體結構超複雜
就讓我們先從喇叭箱體開始看起。mz-L3的龐大箱體內部共有七個獨立箱室，其中四只Diatone P-610S各有一個前寬後窄的金字塔尖錐型密閉腔室，一方面藉由非平行面降低箱內 駐波，一方面也可藉此化解單體背波能量。除此之外，Scan-Speak R2904/70000尖鼻子高音單體與分音器也有自己的獨立隔間。箱內其於空間則全部讓給兩只十吋Scan-Speak 26W8861低音單體使用。不過mz-L3體積龐大的真正原因，是陳醫師採用了他一貫堅持的密閉式箱體。這種設計具有頻率響應線性、低頻控制良好、暫態反應快速的優點，不過如果 要求取更充足的低頻量感與更低沉的低頻延伸，唯有加大箱體容積一途。所以mz-L3雖然看似龐大，但是依照陳醫師的計算，這其實已經是小到不能再小的體積下限了。再探討聲 波繞射問題。對高音單體而言，mz-L3的前障板已經寬到接近無限障板的面音源發聲狀態，所以繞射干擾並不存在。對中音單體而言，四只P-610S並列已經構成線音源發聲，同樣 不受繞射影響。顯然最容易產生繞射問題的中高音以上頻段，早在陳醫師的計算掌握之中。 激發P-610S的全部潛能再看到mz-L3的單體配置。mz-L3的所有單體型號全部與前作mz-L2/mz-L2w喇叭相同，很容易讓人誤以為是mz-L2/mz-L2w的放大版，不過這兩者的設計概念其實完全不相同。陳醫師 清楚表示，mz-L2/mz-L2w走個性化路線，一切設計都以展現P-610S全音域單體的獨特韻味為前提。而mz-L3則朝更主流、更全面、音響性更優異的方向邁進。兩者最大的不同是這 次選擇不讓P-610S以全音域狀態發聲，而是用分音線路將P-610S的重播頻域限制在130Hz到7.2kHz之間，擷取P-610S的最佳工作頻段。為了激發出P-610S的全部潛能，陳醫師這次 採取了幾項措施：第一是分頻點的選擇，高通分頻點設在7.2kHz的目的，是為了避開P-610S網狀防塵誘甄簸狎答M(以機械分音重播高頻音域的杯狀振膜)的工作頻域，讓單體運作 更單純。將低通分頻點設在130Hz，則是P-610S最佳工作範圍的延伸下限。顯然陳醫師這次雖然限制了P-610S的工作範圍，但仍希望它能盡可能的涵誘j多數樂器的演奏頻域。第 二，mz-L3每聲道並聯四只P-610S同時發聲，也是為了減輕P-610S的負擔，將一只單體所需負責的工作量，平均分散給四只單體處理。成果是當mz-L3發生時，P-610S的活塞運動小 到幾乎無法察覺，不但有效降低失真，也從根本解決了P-610S無法承受太大必v的先天限制。第三，陳醫師在分音線路的設計上也煞費苦心，為了讓P-610S專注在陳醫師設定的頻 域內工作，他除了在130Hz處設置了一階分音線路，另外在60Hz處又削了一次分音，完全濾除了P-610S在低頻最下段的重播負擔。至於用料部分，則使用了最高及的M-cap金銀箔電 容與Solen電感。
人聲、弦樂細膩微妙
到底陳醫師的獨創設計，可以發出什麼樣的聲音？聆聽「希伯萊遺產」專輯中的晚禱，我簡直不敢相信我的耳朵，因為從mz-L3重達兩百公斤的龐大身軀中飄逸而出的，竟然是如 此輕盈、細膩而輕鬆的小提琴音，即使小音量聆聽，演奏細節與微弱動態依然清晰分明、絲絲入扣。我對這種細膩自然的小提琴質感並不陌生，因為我自己有一對老Diatone P- 610，我知道這正是這款經典全音域單體的重播特徵。只不過mz-L3的表現更輕鬆，而且這種輕鬆感是建基在一種聞風不動的穩定感之上。我無法相信的是，陳醫師看似將全音域單 體重播方式複雜化了的設計，竟然反而更加突顯了P-610S本有的特質。事實證明，陳醫師企圖減輕P-610S工作負擔的作法是正確而成左滿Cmz-L3帶給我的驚奇還沒有結束，聆聽 的唱片越多，我越明顯的感受到mz-L3辨別不同錄音的能力特敏銳。小提琴錄音是遠是近，琴音質感是軟是硬，我全部都聽得一清二楚。而且不只高音如此，任何錄音只要低頻加 了料mz-L3也能毫不隱瞞的讓這些「味精」露出原形。
低頻氣勢猛爆強悍
以「天使與魔鬼」原聲帶的爆棚樂段測試低頻表現，沒想到原本溫柔婉約的mz-L3，此時竟然搖身一變，洶湧強悍的低頻像是火山爆發一般湧現，充沛的低頻量感完全充塞在約十 二坪的半開放空間中。此時陳醫師豪不顧忌的開大音量，強勁而渾厚的低頻衝擊一波波襲來，撼動著聆聽室中的每一吋空氣，充滿了壓倒性的權威感，但是低頻依然收放自如，極 低頻延伸確實而且層次清晰，複雜樂段的場面也豪不混亂。這一方面顯示mz-L3控制力絕佳，另一方面陳醫師設計的mz-P3純A類後級驅動力驚人，也是幕後它琚C再聽Marcus Miller的「Marcus」專輯，電貝斯低頻紮實明確、重量感十足，速度感雖然不慢，但是表現方式較為沉穩。以汽車來比喻，mz-L3不是操控刁鑽的小跑車，而是大排氣量的豪華房 車，動力雖然充沛，重踩油門依然不乏貼背快感，但是乘坐感受卻是沉穩而舒適的。重播到激昂樂段，我還發現mz-L3的表現雖然不失熱烈氛圍，但是中高頻仍較為收斂，很難出 現令人刺耳難耐的生硬高頻。
無可取代
Mz-L3是依對面貌多樣的喇叭，它有小喇叭的精確與細膩感，也能展現大喇叭的龐大氣勢與寬闊音場，同時又保留了P-610S全音域單體的迷人韻味。它可以溫柔婉約、輕盈飄逸， 彷彿天使一般親切可人；它也可以狂風暴雨、氣吞山河，低頻強悍到讓人血脈賁張、大呼過癮。聆聽mz-L3時，請千萬記得多聽幾張唱片，因為錄音不同，mz-L3就會展現出不同風 貌。陳醫師這次雖然希望mz-L3向主流靠攏，但是顯然他又再度創造了一款獨一無二、無可取代的喇叭。天才總是不凡，他所設計的喇叭也是如此。
焦點
1.輕鬆、細膩、自然的人聲與弦樂表現。2.無須開大音量即可展現豐富自然的細節與微動態變化。
3.敏銳的錄音差異分辨能力。
4.低頻控制力一流，極低頻延伸確實，量感充沛，衝擊力強悍。
建議
擴大機驅動力必須要有一定實力，才能充分驅動密閉式箱體設計的mz-L3。
內部
箱體內部結構複雜，兼具補強框架作用，前障板更厚達60mm，所以體積雖大，但卻堅固異常。
背板
分音器箱室位居箱體正中央，以便讓所有單體配線距離最短而且等長。切換喇叭端子可以調整高、低頻量感，提升mz-L3在不同空間中的適應能力。
mini-Zenith以追求完美為目標－
運用最有效的方法 以最精簡的元件結合精緻藝術與精密工藝
再現傳奇錄音的優質美聲。
征宇科技 高雄市80776大昌二路187號.NO 187 Da-Chang 2Road, Kaohsiung 80776, Taiwan Telephone: (886)7-3987132 Facsimile: (886)7-3701842E-mail:chenjenyie@seed.net.tw Web:www.mini-zenith.com
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