Celestion Debuts Production-Ready Axi2050 Axiperiodic Driver at Prolight+Sound 2017

Following a preview presentation a year ago, at this year’s Prolight+Sound show, Celestion introduced the production-ready Axi2050 wideband axiperiodic driver. Performing the role of two speakers in one, the Axi2050 is a high power, high-output driver which reproduces a frequency range of 300Hz-20,000Hz without the need for a midband crossover. Being just one example of the type of innovation Celestion is bringing to market, the new Axi2050 wideband axiperiodic driver promises to shake things up in the pro audio sector.
 
According to the British manufacturer, the new Celestion Axi2050 not only combines two drivers in one, but it delivers an exceptionally coherent signal, particularly in the critical listening band; and an extended frequency range: enhancing clarity and speech intelligibility, as well as reproducing music more dynamically and with greater coherence.
 
In contrast to most existing high-sensitivity, wideband drivers which are designed with two separate diaphragms, the Axi2050 uses a single, large diameter, sculpted, circumferentially axiperiodic, annular titanium diaphragm. This breakthrough technology enables the device’s remarkable wideband output, as well as providing a number of other significant advantages.
 
The result of more than five years’ research, the Axi2050’s patented diaphragm design consists of many curved, axiperiodically symmetrical elements which adds immense strength to a very thin and light sheet of titanium. Consequently the shape of the mechanical vibration modes are tailored so they do not couple with the acoustic modes; enabling the device to deliver a very uncoloured performance by avoiding resonance peaks.
 
This single diaphragm has a diameter large enough (more than 175mm) to reproduce frequencies as low as 300Hz, while still having a small enough moving mass to facilitate high frequency reproduction. And the diaphragm's large surface area and axial flexibility enables the generation of very high SPL, even at low frequencies.
 
“The R&D team at Celestion worked for several years using mathematical tools and modeling software in optimizing the design of the ultimate, single diaphragm compression driver,” explained Ken Weller, Marketing Manager at Celestion. “As a result, the Axi2050 driver is able to deliver absolutely optimum performance over a very wide frequency range.” 
  Benefits of the Axi2050 include: 
A large, single diaphragm enabling the device to cover a wide frequency range from 300 to 20,000Hz, so a midband crossover isn’t required.
A high sensitivity output: 140dB (measured at 1W on a plane wave tube), with 115dB-120dB (anticipated) on an appropriate large format, 2-inch exit horn.
150Wrms (AES standard) of power handling capability.
A 2-inch exit throat and standard mounting.
Fully scalable technology.
 
More information on the Axi2050 is available here.
www.celestion.com