Untitled Document

Review: Ambience Reference 1800:
Hybrid Ribbon Loudspeakers
There's a new slant to Ambience hybrid ribbon Reference Series

Things may have seemed a bit quiet from Ambience of late, not since its bandpass subwoofer have we seen any new products from the Gippsland, Victoria based manufacturer. There's a simple reason, Tony Moore's been busy designing the new Reference Series, and those who have been fortunate enough to have heard them, are reporting the wait's been well worth it.With so many loudspeakers passing through my system and ears, it can at times feel as though not a lot has changed. But when you have the opportunity to live with a loudspeaker such as these new Ambience designs, it's obvious from the word go that these are a very special pair of loudspeakers.

It's always an anticipating time plugging in a new pair of speakers, but whether you're familiar or not with the Ambience designs, its new Reference models are the sort of speaker you eagerly want to get hooked up and running. And with the new father of them all, the Reference 1800s, there are physical concerns to address before you're able to sit back and take stock. They are very large and heavy and are the sort of loudspeaker that need plenty of room in which to function to their best. However, unlike many physically imposing loudspeakers, the References do not need a muscle amplifier to drive them. These are incredibly efficient loudspeakers, with a measured sensitivity of 95dB. To put it in some sort of perspective, in order to increase output by 3dB requires a doubling of amplifier power. Thus, a speaker operating at a sensitivity of 88 dB with a 200 watt amplifier would put out the same sound level as a speaker with a sensitivity of 91 dB being driven by a 100 watt amplifier.

So at 95dB sensitivity, these new Ambiences are particularly easy to drive. Allied to this, both the ribbon and bass sections are rated at 4 ohms impedance, with the figure constant for the ribbon and nominal for the twin 170 mm longthrow bass/mid drivers that comprise the 46 litre bass section. The fundamental design philosophy of the new References remains the same as previous Ambience hybrids, in that a crimped metal ribbon runs a large part of the length of the front baffle and there's a separate bass section box mounted behind the front panel. But there are some substantial differences with the new Reference models and it's far more than purely cosmetic. admittedly, it's the shape of these new designs that you notice first. The pyramid, tapered angles make the References appear far more substantial and that extra width at the speakers' base has allowed a lot more to go into the bass section. It is trin ported on the 1800s, both rear firing vents located just above the five 4mm cable binding posts. No, it's not a typographical error, the fifth terminal is there for a couple of reasons. It's a common positive connection and is advisable to use if you have particularly bright sounding partnering electronics, or if the room is acoustically on the 'live' side i.e. if there's little furniture or lots of reflective surfaces. If not, then Ambience recommends standard biwire connection. Unlike the company's SuperSlim models, the References' bass section has no removable grille revealing an upwards firing single bass driver.

Instead the enclosure on the Reference 1800 houses two 170mm drivers that radiate forwards from behind the front panel's cloth grille. The twin drivers are wired in a parallel push pull fashion and are once again, specifically manufactured by Norwegian driver manufacturer SEAS to Ambience's design specifications.
The upper midrange and treble is supplied by the long ribbon section and it is this that makes the References so remarkably efficient. With a constant 4 ohm impedance the Reference models use new rare earth super magnets along the length of the ribbon. Other expensive components that have been used are Hovland capacitors in the third order crossover network and as with all Ambience loudspeakers, the whole thing is topped off with some very nice woodwork. In the case of the Reference models, the solid timber side trims are finished with Tung oil, an extract from the Chinese nut tree. As the literature points out, this natural product is extremely durable and gives a satin look with a eucalyptus gum odour. The wood's finish can be replenished over time by a gentle rub with some more Tung oil or a bit of beeswax. The finish not only looks good, it also protects the wood from the elements.

Even though I'm very familiar with the Ambience designs, I wasn't expecting the Reference 1800s to sound quite as instantly involving as they do. The sheer scale these speakers convey is staggering, making music pulse and flow in jaw-dropping style. Bass reaches down to levels that never leave you wanting for more and there low-end speed and definition that are beyond doubt. The ribbons take over with a midrange that bursts with characteristic exuberance while treble detail sparkles and shimmers in gloriously vivid fashion. Overall, tonal quality is superlative throughout the frequency range, with treble and midrange singing beside fast, weighty bass. This is precisely what many designers have attempted to achieve with a hybrid cone driver/ribbon marriage, but few have ever achieved.

With all sorts of music, the Reference 1800s display their revealing nature, with a smooth flowing sound presentation is one of a wonderfully refined whole that's more than the sum of its parts. Beck, Underworld, Prince, Coldplay, Miles Davis or Gershwin, it doesn't matter what you're into, all are equally at home on these loudspeakers. Instruments sound superbly genuine, and voices have real character and timbre. Over a wide range of music, the References simply sound sublime

By avoiding a single really large bass driver and using two smaller ones instead, the References are able to preserve an attacking sense of bass rhythm and timing without any hint of flabbiness. Even with the bass-heavy cool of Leftfield's Dusted the 1800s are unfazed; rich in presence and substance, and delightfully low geared for this style of dance music.

The specs suggest that your ears will give out long before the loudspeakers do and to this end the literature also states a warning to this effect. It's true you don't need oodles of watts to drive them, but as with many a capable loudspeaker, the quality of those watts definitely counts. With 120-watts per channel and a current capacity of around 40 amps, my ME 55011 proved more than ample and without too much wick turning the Reference 1800s deliver plenty of decibels. A nice valve amp with modest power output would be another amplifier possibility with this very friendly load.

Ambience has already released a matching high sensitivity centre channel model and the smaller Reference 1600s are in final testing. I can only imagine what a complete Ambience AV speaker system would sound like after replacing the main fronts in mine. The extra scale and breadth the Reference 1800s bring to movie soundtrack soundstaging is huge. With these up front, Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel audio is given immense room in which to perform with an abundance of dynamic headroom.The new Ambience Reference designs may not suit all, needing a large room to accommodate them, not to mention the available funds. On a global scale, they represent fantastic value though and for sheer musical delicacy, scale and intimacy are a rare treat indeed.

AVL Ancillary Equipment: ME 55011 power amplifier, Onkyo TX-SR700 AV receiver, Onkyo DX-SP800 universal DVD player, Toshiba 38D9UXA LCD rear projection TV, QED Silver Anniversary Biwire loudspeaker cable.

(Review supplied by courtesy of the AVL.magazine)....

Nic Tatham.
Audio & Video Lifestyle Magazine

	So at 95dB sensitivity, these new Ambiences are particularly easy to drive. Allied to this, both the ribbon and bass sections are rated at 4 ohms impedance, with the figure constant for the ribbon and nominal for the twin 170 mm longthrow bass/mid drivers that comprise the 46 litre bass section. The fundamental design philosophy of the new References remains the same as previous Ambience hybrids, in that a crimped metal ribbon runs a large part of the length of the front baffle and there's a separate bass section box mounted behind the front panel. But there are some substantial differences with the new Reference models and it's far more than purely cosmetic. admittedly, it's the shape of these new designs that you notice first. The pyramid, tapered angles make the References appear far more substantial and that extra width at the speakers' base has allowed a lot more to go into the bass section. It is trin ported on the 1800s, both rear firing vents located just above the five 4mm cable binding posts. No, it's not a typographical error, the fifth terminal is there for a couple of reasons. It's a common positive connection and is advisable to use if you have particularly bright sounding partnering electronics, or if the room is acoustically on the 'live' side i.e. if there's little furniture or lots of reflective surfaces. If not, then Ambience recommends standard biwire connection. Unlike the company's SuperSlim models, the References' bass section has no removable grille revealing an upwards firing single bass driver.
Instead the enclosure on the Reference 1800 houses two 170mm drivers that radiate forwards from behind the front panel's cloth grille. The twin drivers are wired in a parallel push pull fashion and are once again, specifically manufactured by Norwegian driver manufacturer SEAS to Ambience's design specifications. The upper midrange and treble is supplied by the long ribbon section and it is this that makes the References so remarkably efficient. With a constant 4 ohm impedance the Reference models use new rare earth super magnets along the length of the ribbon. Other expensive components that have been used are Hovland capacitors in the third order crossover network and as with all Ambience loudspeakers, the whole thing is topped off with some very nice woodwork. In the case of the Reference models, the solid timber side trims are finished with Tung oil, an extract from the Chinese nut tree. As the literature points out, this natural product is extremely durable and gives a satin look with a eucalyptus gum odour. The wood's finish can be replenished over time by a gentle rub with some more Tung oil or a bit of beeswax. The finish not only looks good, it also protects the wood from the elements. Even though I'm very familiar with the Ambience designs, I wasn't expecting the Reference 1800s to sound quite as instantly involving as they do. The sheer scale these speakers convey is staggering, making music pulse and flow in jaw-dropping style. Bass reaches down to levels that never leave you wanting for more and there low-end speed and definition that are beyond doubt. The ribbons take over with a midrange that bursts with characteristic exuberance while treble detail sparkles and shimmers in gloriously vivid fashion. Overall, tonal quality is superlative throughout the frequency range, with treble and midrange singing beside fast, weighty bass. This is precisely what many designers have attempted to achieve with a hybrid cone driver/ribbon marriage, but few have ever achieved.
	With all sorts of music, the Reference 1800s display their revealing nature, with a smooth flowing sound presentation is one of a wonderfully refined whole that's more than the sum of its parts. Beck, Underworld, Prince, Coldplay, Miles Davis or Gershwin, it doesn't matter what you're into, all are equally at home on these loudspeakers. Instruments sound superbly genuine, and voices have real character and timbre. Over a wide range of music, the References simply sound sublime By avoiding a single really large bass driver and using two smaller ones instead, the References are able to preserve an attacking sense of bass rhythm and timing without any hint of flabbiness. Even with the bass-heavy cool of Leftfield's Dusted the 1800s are unfazed; rich in presence and substance, and delightfully low geared for this style of dance music. The specs suggest that your ears will give out long before the loudspeakers do and to this end the literature also states a warning to this effect. It's true you don't need oodles of watts to drive them, but as with many a capable loudspeaker, the quality of those watts definitely counts. With 120-watts per channel and a current capacity of around 40 amps, my ME 55011 proved more than ample and without too much wick turning the Reference 1800s deliver plenty of decibels. A nice valve amp with modest power output would be another amplifier possibility with this very friendly load.
Ambience has already released a matching high sensitivity centre channel model and the smaller Reference 1600s are in final testing. I can only imagine what a complete Ambience AV speaker system would sound like after replacing the main fronts in mine. The extra scale and breadth the Reference 1800s bring to movie soundtrack soundstaging is huge. With these up front, Dolby Digital and DTS multichannel audio is given immense room in which to perform with an abundance of dynamic headroom.The new Ambience Reference designs may not suit all, needing a large room to accommodate them, not to mention the available funds. On a global scale, they represent fantastic value though and for sheer musical delicacy, scale and intimacy are a rare treat indeed.