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JAF Bombard + Leben CS-300X [custom version]. In addition to the regular test with my reference amplifier which I use with all loudspeaker reviews, I tried the Bombard with an amplifier that had a chance of actually being used in a real-world system (the reference amplifiers shows the loudspeakers in a maximally objective albeit abstract context if price enters the equation). Now I am talking about my heavily modified Leben integrated. Connecting a tube amplifier usually brings a certain set of sonic changes.
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The output of the amplifier is heavily modified by the impedance curve of the loudspeaker, the peak of the signal is compressed by limited power etc. yet usually the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. That was the case here. With the Leben the extraordinary resolution disappeared, the soundstage became less distinctive and the bass did not reach as low. But everything grew more saturated and the midband a lot more so.
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The sound also came a bit closer. Most of all it seemed more coherent. It seemed that there were less sounds for sure but those which made it had more in common. Earlier the sound was very transparent but a bit lightweight. With the Leben the bass was shallower and not as tight but the mid and upper bass were stronger and fleshier. In general this combination proved to be fantastic. Although the manufacturer of the Bombard suggests amplifier with a power output of more than 20 watts, my Leben’s 7wpc had no problems driving these loudspeakers. The volume knob was at 15:00 but this did not disturb me at all. Besides the factory version of the amplifier is twice as powerful so there's no issue proposing this combination.
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Description. The JAF Bombard loudspeaker is a floorstanding five-driver 2-way in a proprietary version of a folded baffle dubbed Smooth Frequency Response or SFR. This means that the speakers look similar to classic lute-shaped boxes like prominent members of the Sonus Faber clan, especially their Amati Futura. Yet the cabinet is actually open in the back. There is quite a wide gap running across the entire length of the speaker. Meanwhile the cabinet is closed above and below with thick MDF plates.
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The cabinet is crafted from wood and MDF. The sides are wooden and available in various species while the front, top and bottom are MDF finished in black matte varnish. The back spike bolts to the bottom plinth whilst the front two screw into the wooden cheeks. Single-wire terminals mount vertically to the plinth’s back. The top plate features recessed company logo and model name metal inserts. The whole looks fantastic and is exceptionally well made. Bravo!
In the front we see four full-range drivers and a chamfered longitudinal oval covered by black cloth with a ribbon tweeter behind it. All drive units attach from the back so we see no bolts. There is no grille either. The widebanders are sourced from the HempTone company and this 8-inch model is called their FR 8. Despite the fact that those drivers have good treble extension from their bicone whizzers, the designer here augments them with an RT2PRO ribbon tweeter from Swans Speaker Systems. This unit is slightly modified by removing its front and bolting it directly to the baffle.
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The crossover is a first-order filter but I couldn’t divine the exact parts because I couldn’t get at them. Looking through the rear gap we only see that the bass coil is wound on a toroidal core (probably from Jantzen) and covered with damping material. The high-frequency section uses a Jantzen polypropylene capacitor. The main internal cabling is a silver-plated copper braid with a 4mm square cross section. A different wire was used for the ribbon.
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The loudspeaker will also be available in a slightly hotrodded version. The changes to the basic version as reviewed are as follows: "The model Bombard is available in a version with different parts. Usually those can be a different capacitor for the ribbon, different internal cabling, different terminals—for example WBT-0763, WBT 0702, Furutech FP-805—and the main toroidal choke can be of higher inductance than the standard one. One can also order different side panels than the standard Merbau. For exotics like Acajou, Iroko, Nyatoh andTauari, the kind of wood choices depend on market availability. The front baffle varnish can be different from the stock structural matte. Each change from stock carries a surcharge. The details are agreed upon individually depending on availability of a given option in the Polish market."
Technical data according to the manufacturer:
Recommended amplifier power: > 20W
Frequency response (-1dB): 38Hz – 22kHz
Frequency response (-3dB): 31Hz – 30kHz
Nominal impedance: 8Ω
Efficiency: 92dB
Baffle width equivalent: 840cm
Dimensions: 1096 x 295 x 356mm
Weight: 34kg (piece) |
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opinia @ highfidelity.pl
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