|
MONTANA XPS
MONTANA XPS - THE DEFINITION OF MUSICAL REALISM
NEW 2006 !
After almost 3 years of development work PBN Audio has launched the all new ultra high-end loudspeaker MONTANA XPS. The MONTANA XPS replaces the highly acclaimed MONTANA XP, which for many years has been regarded as one of the most brilliant loudspeakers in the ultra high-end market segment. Nevertheless, the XPS brings perfection to a new level. The manufacturer has taken advantage of exclusive components, materials and cutting-edge technology and engineering in order to create a true world class loudspeaker. The MONTANA XPS will stir the interest among music lovers who share our devotion to music and who seek the highest attainable level of musical realism. The MONTANA XPS presents the music so realistically that it practically wipes out existing boundaries between reproduced sound and music performed live. On crucial parameters like natural dynamics, resolution and definition, the MONTANA XPS and its larger siblings are literally in a league of their own. The MONTANA XPS is available for demonstration via HighEnd.
The MONTANA XPS and the larger models MONTANA KAS and WAS, offer a performance and quality standard that really deserves to be characterized as "non-compromise". The XPS is a true four-way design with an extraordinarily sophisticated design, which delivers a wall-shaking, rapid and defined bass response, a soulful and utterly articulated and realistic mid-range presentation and an atmospheric high-frequency reproduction. The MONTANA XPS combines ultra-high resolution, multi-dimensionality and dynamics in an unparalleled and realistic way, much due to the physical size and rigidity of the cabinet, the "floor-to-roof" driver configuration and the carefully selected exclusive materials utilized. 14 state-of-the-art drivers a pair ensures the exceptionally high efficiency of 92,5 dB / 2.83 V / 1 m. The soundstage is so well reproduced that you get the fascinating sense of beeing present where the music is performed. Genuine music lovers will highly appreciate the MONTANA XPS' convincing ability to recreate the most subtle neuance and emotion that lives within the music. The MONTANA XPS and the even bigger MONTANA Loudspeakers are simply the ultimate transducers of the musical truth.
The MONTANA XPS is equipped with a total of 14 exclusive SEAS/Montana drivers. No standard drivers are used. The drivers are developed or technically modified for the MONTANA XPS only in order to cope with the extremely tight tolerances and stunning dynamic capabilities that make the MONTANA XPS a world class loudspeaker. Only the very best components and technical solutions are implemented in the MONTANA XPS.
Each cabinet is equipped with 2 ea. 10" woofers, 2 ea. 7" mid-bass drivers, 2 ea. 4" mid-range drivers and a high-efficiency, ultra-transparent 1" textile soft dome tweeter. Speaking of overall performance, the materials and technology utilized in the XPS design have proven their sonic superiority to other types of current driver materials, components and technologies. Choice of components, materials and technology is entirely based upon excessive real life testing and measurements. Only the best sonic solutions are applied in this advanced design. Only the best there is is good enough for the MONTANA XPS and for critical music lovers.
The tweeter section offers an astonishing degree of resolution, airiness, transparency and perspective that does not stand back for the most costly loudspeakers in the market, regardless of construction principle and materials utilized. When it comes to unstrained dynamics and transient handling, the custom modified 1" SEAS/MONTANA soft dome tweeter is in a league of its own. Tremendous dynamic capabilities and good dispersion characteristics are often under-estimated features, even among the most expensive loudspeakers available. In fact, unstrained dynamics are absolutely necessary to achieve musical fidelity and sonic balance and avoid audible compression, not only at extremely high output levels, but at moderate and low volumes, as well.
The unique glass fiber mid-range drivers offer a level of articulation, speed and transient response which practically transmits real sound just like it was recorded. The mid-range presentation is stunningly realistic, regardless of music style. Presence, clarity, balance and detail characterize the mid-range presentation. Upscaled classical works are beeing presented with grandeur, power and finesse. Few loudspeakers, regardless of price, are capable of presenting the true energy of a live rock concert or blues event. The MONTANA XPS will handle it with ease and resolution, no matter the dynamic potensial in the recorded material. The XPS will bring the intimacy of any brilliantly recorded jazz music directly into your listening room. Opera and choir music lovers will particularily enjoy the XPS' rare ability to reproduce voices with a realistic size, its unparalleled imaging features and its ability to differ between layer upon layer of voices and classical instruments.
The twin 7" mid-bass drivers ensure a truly extraordinary tightness and slam factor, which also contributes to the XPS' astonishing linearity in the upper bass region. The upper bass definition is nothing but formidable.
A total of 4 ea. 10" woofers offer the deepest and most powerful, yet ultra-defined, sub bass reproduction from a pair of MONTANA XPS.
The MONTANA XPS utilizes an advanced 24 dB/octave cross-over with cost-no-object components. Perfect linearity and phase integration is a result of PBN Audio's advanced cross-over topology and the exquisite components and component matching. The frequency response is extremely linear, and measures flat within a margin of +/- 1,5 dB from 25 Hz - 25000 Hz. The interval from 25 Hz down to somewhat below 20 Hz lies within +/- 3 dB. Of course, this feauture provides magnificent imaging and an ultra-precise perspective. If there are any loudspeakers in the market that really live up to the full-range ideal, it definately is the bigger models in the MONTANA line-up.
The above mentioned specifications are truly impressive, but with a 92,5 dB linear efficiency from 20 Hz to above the audible frequency spectrum, combined with a superb resolution at any output level, the MONTANA XPS lives up to the ambition of beeing a true state-of-the-art, world-class loudspeaker.
The precision cut and hand assembled cabinets are extremely heavy and rock solid. Separate internal chambers for the mid-bass, mid-range and tweeter sections efficiently eliminate interference between the drivers and ensure perfect operating conditions for the drivers.
Choose between about 50 exclusive real wood veneers from Africa, Asia, North-America, South-America and Europe or practically any colour you may desire in glossy piano laquer. The finish of a MONTANA loudspeaker is a result of true craftmanship. Interior matching is a breeze.
MONTANA XPS is designed for bi-wire application. The clever spikes system makes set up very easy.
HighEnd has the exclusive privelige of offering the public such a breathtaking level of refined performance from a true ultra high-end loudspeaker in the current price level and far above.
The musical truth is at times incredibly dynamic, touching and emotionally involving. Come and experience it for yourself today!
Specifications:
Frequency range: 20 - 25000 Hz
+/- 1,5 dB: 25 - 25000 Hz
+/- 3 dB: 20 - 25 Hz
Sensitivity: 93 dB / 2,83 V / 1 m
Power handling: 300W
Cross-over frequencies: 80/500/4000 Hz
Bass drivers: 2 ea. 10" SEAS / Montana Custom
Mid-bass drivers: 2 ea. 7" SEAS / Montana Custom
Mid-range drivers: 2 ea. 4" glass-fiber SEAS / Montana Custom
Tweeter: 1 ea. 1" soft dome SEAS / Montana Custom
Dimensions: H=165 cm B=41 cm D=46 cm
Weight: 114 kg
Finish: Custom order (exclusive real wood veneers or piano laquer)
MONTANA XPS Review, 6 moons, November 2006 (Wayne Zufall):
"One of the superb things the XPS do is throw a huge and layered soundstage. At the 300-hour mark as I listened to Linda Ronstadt and "Straighten Up and Fly Right", I found that the backup singer was audible but not the least bit defined within the soundstage. At 450 hours, I could not only clearly locate him to the left of Linda but his voice was now clearly defined, clear and not so blurred as before. The soundstage was now more layered and much more specific as to instrument placement. I could move the speakers closer together, which seemed to only slightly move the sweet spot from where I was sitting but I never lost the layering effect or the detailed placement of the instruments and voices. This suggests to me that these speakers will work very well in moderate to small-sized rooms without giving up any of their sonic attributes.
The XPS seemed to like tube amps as well as transistors, although I personally preferred them on my Canary tube amps. I used a small 60wpc Rotel, the Canary Reference Ones and the Canary CA-160s, with the XPS doing a grand job with any of the pairings. The XPS and the CA-160s were an excellent match even though the EL34 monos did not seem to elicit the same warm or lush tube sound they get from the B&Ws. The Reference Ones with their huge transformers seemed to be the best match. Bass that was strong and with a large presence over the CA-160s became powerful and in your face with the Ones. Detail, clarity and soundstage layering became even more palpable. The XPS are very well rounded speakers that will perform with nearly any amplifier; however higher-current tube or transistor amps seem to get the most from them.
I listened to my 8 test CDs on the XPS with three different amplifiers and found that the XPS excelled with all of the amps and all types of music. My wife's organ music with its low bass registers was no problem. The speakers remained controlled and without introducing bass bloat. One of my favorite piano test CDs is from Willie Nelson's Super Hits, track 8 titled "Always on My Mind" [Columbia CK 64184]. The XPS produced the piano notes with crystalline clarity and held onto the notes, keeping them detailed until they faded away. A piano can be quite a challenge for a speaker, especially in classical music when the music's volume levels can soften and the listener is trying to hear what is being played. The XPS handle soft passages with verve, letting one hear the detail of every note. While the XPS does a very good job of remaining dynamic at low levels, they also like to be pushed at high sound levels, where they do not lose their composure, clarity or detail - something I am sure your neighbors would be able to comment on with ease.
At this stage in the break-in process, the XPS had nearly 485 hours on them. I decided to listen to a few select CDs and see how they were sounding before it was time to slip them back into their cocoons for their return trip to San Diego. So next up was Keely Smith's Be My Love [Jasmine Records, JASCD 321] and track 11 "My Reverie". I played this particular track to see how Keely and the violins were presented. Keely's voice was clean, warm and lush, really giving me the feeling she was center stage. The XPS adds a level of transparency that was lightly noticeable at the 400 hour mark but now in full bloom, with increased dynamic attack and a better layered soundstage. It was apparent that the butterfly had finally emerged from within.
The midbass was a little tighter too, having progressed from lean to articulate. Keely's voice in prior sessions was never as warm or seductive as I knew she could be. Now her voice was passionate and clearly seductive. The violin passages were articulate, clear and seamless in their presentation. While the XPS do not totally disappear in my room, I would expect that in a different space, they just might. The speakers were very well balanced now. From the bass through the high frequencies, they did slip into a presentation that was, as Peter promised it would be, seamless. The XPS are not a speaker even on tubes that I would consider to be overly warm or lush. They are focused, revealing and exude authority with a transparency that is dynamic and coherent.
Fresh out of their crates, my first impression of the XPS was that it would never be a speaker I'd enjoy. I literally could not imagine that the XPS could go from the lean, dry and banal presentation it started out with to the superb loudspeaker it is today.
Peter has fulfilled his promise to build a quality, accurate and coherent speaker. You only have to have the patience to uncrate them and wait for the caterpillar to complete its metamorphosis. Then these are speakers you will be enjoying over the long haul."
|
|
