The coaxial speakers all feature Mica Reinforced Cellular (MRC) Aramid Fibre Matrix cones on the woofer, which is Sony’s original speaker diaphragm material, engineered for high rigidity and good internal loss (low resonant distortion), with a lightweight design. This third-generation compound has been further optimized with mechanical driver improvements to deliver an even wider frequency response and smoother, more natural sound characteristics. Embedding MRC in a unique matrix with aramid fibers suppresses diaphragm resonance and minimizes distortion — not only in the lows, but also in the mid and higher frequencies. The result is sound is powerful at all frequencies and uncommonly clean — even at high volumes, Sony claims.
The woofer design also features another proprietary Sony technology, using an edge surround with distinctive curved notches improving the vertical amplitude symmetry for dramatically reduced distortion and enhanced clarity.
Compatible with High-Resolution Audio, a soft dome tweeter diaphragm is directly attached on the voice coil, designed to cover the music's ultra-high ends, with a frequency range extending up to 40kHz. This is complemented with a five-beam frame design that disperses resonance while the integrated Dynamic Air Diffuser ensures efficient air circulation for smooth cone travel and cooling of the voice coil. The acoustically optimized Progressive Height Rate Spider allows for higher power handling and airflow, with a profile designed for more rapid and precise cushioning of the speaker cone.
The resonance damping phase plug on the XS-162ES woofer helps realize ideal frequency response, right up to the crossover point with the matched tweeters. A rigid aluminum bobbin and Dynamic Air Diffuser further support the speaker's wide frequency response, for controlled and dynamic bass delivery.
Also exclusive to the XS-162ES model is the audiophile-grade crossover, featuring an optimal, metalized polypropylene film capacitor with lower dissipation for a smoother high-end. It features a bi-amp capable design to mitigate current distortion to the tweeter when running the woofer with high input levels. A dedicated gain selector balances the woofer and tweeter signal levels and enables tweeter level adjustment even when driving the components from a single amplifier.
As for the new Sony XS-W104ES Subwoofer, the new driver also features a new MRC Honeycomb Woofer, specially designed for subwoofers. The core of the diaphragm is a foam-like material with a honeycomb shaped fibre base, which ensures extra rigidity for a more precise response and low distortion. Optimized for the newly developed mechanical approaches, this third-generation subwoofer diaphragm offers enhanced frequency response and smooth sound characteristics.
The Sony XS-W104ES Subwoofer also benefits from similar design improvements as the rest of the series, including a Separated Notch Edge Surround, Five-Beam Frame Structure and Dynamic Air Diffuser, combined with a Progressive Height Rate Spider.
The new Sony XS-162ES will have a suggested retail price of $299.99 (€250 EUR). The XS-160ES ($249.99 USD / €210 EUR), XS-690ES ($299.99 USD / €320 EUR), XS-680ES ($249.99 USD / €200 EUR) and the XS-W104ES sub ($219.99 USD / Є220 EUR) are all available for purchase from May 2021 at authorized dealers.
The new Sony Mobile ES car audio drivers are launched short after the company announced its latest XAV-AX8100, XAV-AX5600 and XAV-AX150 car AV receivers for the aftermarket, all with an additional HDMI input, new adjustable display mounts and Sound Optimization technologies. All three receivers feature Bluetooth, dual USB ports, Apple CarPlay3, Android Auto4 and WebLink Cast. The new XAV-AX150 Car AV Receiver also offers FLAC audio file compatibility, among other new advanced features.
www.electronics.sony.com
