GGNTKT audio (the name stands for "Gegentakt" or push-pull), a brand of Roland Schäfer Elektroakustik und Audiotechnik, is an interesting new loudspeaker company with a refreshing attitude towards high-end audio. The story of the M family began in 2019 with the iconic Model M1, a compact 2.5-way active loudspeaker for short to medium listening distances that can be used in all listening environments. The new Model M3 was developed as an evolution to make it available for larger rooms and listening distances.
Detailing the new loudspeaker design, GGNTKT promises "an exceptional listening experience in any environment," with high reproduction neutrality, and extremely low distortion even at high sound levels. The Model M3 is a 4-way active speaker that can be used as a floorstanding speaker and full-range system, meeting the most demanding requirements for high-end audio rooms, studio/cinema productions and mastering. Those requirements included the need to achieve high SPL while maintaining a neutral, precise spatial imaging and deep bass.
The shallow cabinet makes the Model M3 stand out compared to conventional loudspeakers. An elaborate 5-axis CNC-milled structure made of Valchromat wood composite forms the housing and offers 30% greater stability than standard MDF. Like all GGNTKT designs, every aspect of the enclosure was optimized for acoustic quality, with its unique proportions carefully modeled and simulated to validate the overall design. An opposing arrangement of front and rear drivers reduces housing vibrations, as the kinetic forces cancel each other out, even with the strongest bass impulses. This also resulted in an enclosure that can easily be positioned very close to a wall, perfectly integrated into any room.
The unique design generates a cardioid radiation behavior down to 40Hz for easier room integration and wall mounting, thanks also to the fully digital signal processing. Rated to achieve 125dB peak levels without compromising the low distortion specs (THD <0.3% @90dB/1m), the GGNTKT Model 3 delivers 140° x 100° constant directivity for an enlarged sweet-spot and higher spatiality. The vertical dispersion is shaped asymmetrically 60° upwards and 40° downwards in order to reduce ground reflections and thus create better spatial localization.
At the heart of the M3, the comprehensive modeling of the radiation behavior resulted in its high frequency section and recessed waveguide, seamlessly integrated into the milled baffle. This features a 2.57" custom ring diaphragm compression driver with 1.75" voice coil, delivering extended bandwidth and the highest level peaks of up to 125dB completely effortlessly with the lowest distortion and no coloration, in contrast to dome diaphragms. The patented design, GGNTKT says, sounds extremely transparent and reproduces even the most complex music signals without generating fatigue, even after long periods of listening.
The midrange is reproduced by a high-efficiency 210mm (8") driver with a light paper fiber cone and demodulated drive. The unusually low and steep separation between the tweeter and midrange driver also enables an acoustic point source of sound and thus good spatial imaging at short listening distances. Here too, the radiation behavior is specifically modeled by the chamfered edge around the driver and the wide baffle, with curved edges.
The bass range is generated by two 260mm (10") subwoofers. The long-throw design allows a linear excursion (xmax) of +/- 13.5mm and the 2.9" voice coil can handle up to 1000W peak levels. Both drivers are installed in opposite sides and separate chambers as a bass reflex system with flow-optimized and resonance-free tube guides, enabling peak levels of up to 120dB even in the deep bass range. The arrangement is chosen so that one driver points towards the listener and the second towards the rear wall, with both being controlled separately and thus forming a 2-way subwoofer. This creates the cardioid directional characteristic in the bass with the zero point at 180° (exactly behind the loudspeaker) and with a coherent response down to 35Hz. As a result, the Model M3 delivers a constant radiation behavior (“constant directivity”) across all frequencies.
All electronics are completely integrated into the loudspeaker and hermetically sealed. The large aluminum back panel that also serves as a passive heat sink combines all connections and features a touch display. The Model M3 is available in two variants, M3 and M3 S, with different amplifier configurations. Four efficient Class-D amplifier channels are provided by two PASCAL pro audio modules, providing a total of 1000W (Model M3) or 1500W (Model M3 S) per speaker. A SHARC DSP with 32-bit floating point precision handles the digital crossover duties for this 4-way design, with forward-looking limiters and linear-phase equalization using FIR filters. Various settings can be accessed via USB and the system software, and room measurements can also be carried out in this way.
"After the success of our Model M1 in its compact size class, the demand for a larger and even more level-resistant solution was evident. Therefore, with Model M3 we scaled the dynamic qualities and standards set by the Model M1 design," says Roland Schäfer, owner of GGNTKT Audio. "Thanks to the cardioid bass and the mechanical waveguides, we were able to optimize the radiation behavior to achieve a very even sound distribution and thus a natural spatiality, even in difficult listening rooms. This means a consistent and accurate reproduction in all spaces for studio engineers, while audiophile listeners can experience every nuance of a musical performance as the creator intended."
In addition to graphite black (RAL 9011) and pure white (RAL 9010) finishes as standard, the Model M3 can also be ordered in special steel blue (RAL 5011) and anthracite grey (RAL 7016), as well as luxurious automotive metallic paint finishes. GGNTKT also customizes the speakers with wood finishes and other options.
Model M3 – (2x 1000 W) €24,950.00
Model M3 S – (2x 1500 W) €29,950.00
(Prices include 19% VAT without freight)
Typical delivery times for stock are 14 days, and 60 - 90 days for new production. Units are currently available for demonstration at Max Schlundt in Berlin, and other dealers on request.
www.ggntkt.de/model-m3
