The press release: "The new research programme with the Onera Aerospace Acoustics Laboratory focuses on the study of plane-wave propagation with the aim of further understanding the physical characteristics of the company's isodynamic dipole loudspeaker technology. The partnership will use advanced measurement and modelling tools including laser vibrometers and dedicated software to investigate the way sound behaves in relation to Diptyque Audio's designs. This research is intended to identify potential avenues for optimising performance in future loudspeaker development."
6moons alum Edgar Kramer's recent interview with Siltech's founder for SoundStage explained how to continue their ongoing research into cable behaviours now relies on the type of measuring kit which is used at Switzerland's famous CERN laboratory. Now we learn of a French speaker boutique leveraging the brain power of a major domestic aerospace laboratory and their resident measuring tools to further their own speaker R&D. It's a reminder that we can only improve things strategically rather than by chance if we understand exactly how they work. Understanding becomes virtually synonymous with seeing. If we can't see, how to chart where we're going? The obvious challenge for small hifi boutiques is how to access the latest in hi-tech laboratory equipment and the specialized personnel that's trained in its use. Hiring a university lab to conduct specialized research as Nur did for their Harmonia planar headphone with a Rome university costs money. A small atelier intent on pursuing such a path needs serious resources unless they can avail themselves of a government grant because the intended research subject has applications well beyond their own. Otherwise, pony up or opt out. Without such granular investigations, there's little true furtherance of the hifi arts, just filling more old wine into new bottles. Today's bunch of wily French mélomanes set out to build a better Magnepan. By all accounts, they've succeeded already. To be sure that they left no stone unturned, now they're roping in the intellectual and hardware resources of a hi-tech acoustics lab known to collaborate with NASA. That deserves a moment of reflection, acknowledgment and gratitude. It's people who this passionately care about improving things that make a difference on this planet no matter their field of endeavour. Applause!
Diptyque Audio's website
