Perfected over decades of original research by Josef W. Manger (1929-2016), and launched originally in 1969, the Manger transducer is highly appreciated and recognized in professional and audiophile circles alike. Renowned recording studios and universities trust in the precision and incorruptible neutrality of Manger loudspeakers. The University of Music and Theater in Munich, the Institute for Musicology at the University of Vienna, and the State Opera in Baku, are just a few unique references.
The secret behind the design lies strongly in the efficient material of the sandwich diaphragm, originally developed by Josef W. Manger, manufactured in the company's own laboratories to a closely guarded formula. Unlike the piston movement of a traditional a cone loudspeaker, the Manger diaphragm vibrates on its own axis, generating bending waves from the middle outwards, comparable to the wave movement on a water surface after throwing in a stone.
As the company states, "A precondition on the path to authentic reproduction is time correct and integral rendition." And due to its design the Manger transducer provides this "impulse fidelity," in other words an ability to rapidly track short signals, that is far superior to conventional drivers.
Produced in series since 1990, the Manger driver evolved significantly in the last 30 years, with the company already under the direction of Daniela Manger as CEO. One of the major contributors to the driver's improved performance was the introduction of neodymium magnets. In its most recent iteration, the Manger driver uses as many as 15 neodymium magnets to generate the highest energy density that gives it its improved efficiency and higher sound pressure level.
Another distinct aspect is the unique moving coil design. The Manger transducer works with two voice coils which are electrically connected in parallel. These 2 coils lie adjacent to one another on a supporting frame. When one moves out, the second voice coil moves simultaneously into the magnetic field, the energy forces are neutralized, and the opposing force is cancelled out. This improves timing response in line with the music signal, with an extremely fast rise time of 13µs. For lower frequencies, these two adjacent coils act as one long voice coil and achieve a maximum excursion of +/-3.5mm.
The star shaped absorber, a hallmark of the Manger transducer is another example of form following function. Because the outward moving waves must be dampened at the edge of the diaphragm, the star absorber acts like a reed belt along a river bank, which prevents the waves bouncing back to add to the oncoming waves - a necessity of a true point-source.
Over the years, the Manger driver has been repeatedly improved in detail. With the W06, however, after an intensive development and testing phase, as well as countless listening tests, Manger says that a "significant step forward has now been achieved."
Finally, the company reports updates on its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mellrichstadt, under clean room conditions, enabling maximum durability and production consistency since the new generation of the Manger driver was introduced. All Manger loudspeakers have been delivered with the W06 transducer since the beginning of the 2024. The company also confirms that all Manger owners can have their loudspeakers upgraded; the Manger transducer upgrade costs €685.00 per driver plus shipping costs.
Apart from manufacturing the individual drivers, Manger designs and manufactures a complete range of finished speaker models, active and passive. Each individual chassis is precisely measured and subjected to rigorous tests before it is assembled. The manufacturing tolerances are less than +/- 0.5dB, in a process where 2 decibels is already considered very good. All loudspeaker models can be manufactured in all RAL colors, satin matt or high gloss, and also in high-quality real wood veneers.
After working in the production lines, winding voice coils and assembling connectors in her spare time, Daniela Manger has now been running the family business for more than 30 years. Many renowned manufacturers equipped their loudspeakers with the Manger transducer until Manger Audio decided at the end of the 1990s to only produce exclusively for its own use.
www.mangeraudio.com
