Step Bookshelf Speaker
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STEP
The Step 35 are high-end bookshelf speakers.
Excellent sound is not a question of size, but certainly one of stature. And the STEP loudspeakers have exhibited stature since AUDIO PHYSIC was founded. Over the last 35 years, we have tirelessly continued to further develop the model. The strong reception of these loudspeakers among music aficionados, not to mention numerous national and international awards, underscore the high class of these units.
Now with the new STEP , the most mature STEP model of all time is entering the stage, and the STEP gives the term compact loudspeaker a whole new dimension.
Not all rooms offer sufficient space for positioning standing loudspeakers. Close to the wall or even pushed off into the corner, most of the time they play far below their sound capabilities. On the other hand, large loudspeakers in small rooms are not always to be recommended, because at low frequencies – more than compact loudspeakers – they tend to produce room modes and thus highly disturbing resonance which can be audible as droning effects. What’s more, there are many music lovers who have a purist approach, and they appreciate compact loudspeakers not only because they take up a smaller footprint.
In terms of styling, the STEP is true to the tradition of its predecessors, but we re-engineered it from the inside out with the same passion that we dedicate to the AUDIO PHYSIC top models. The STEP s benefit from technological insights that we gathered during the development of the top models. Thus, they also feature the exclusive HHCT IIII tweeters and now brandnew for the jubilee STEP the HHCM III midrange drivers, the fidelity of which extend far beyond the audible range. Best prerequisites for excellent pulse fidelity.
The suspension system and the chassis basket are mechanically decoupled from one another in a radical design involving the hyper-holographic cone chassis. Resonance detrimental to sound due to micro-vibrations is thus combated where it originates and effectively reduced. The forward-looking HHCM III chassis also makes a difference on the low medium tones. The result is a dramatic gain in precision and attention to detail. The most intricate flutters in a vibrato or the gentle shimmer of a fading harp string are real challenges for any loudspeaker. The STEP peel away the most intricate details from the musical thicket like child’s play, without sounding technically artificial. They reproduce complex music material in a calm, collected and uncompromising manner – acoustic magnifying glasses in a true sense.
The special cabinet shape lends the STEP not only a modern, timeless appearance, it also reduces standing waves in the interior of the loudspeakers. Standing waves jeopardise crisp midrange reproduction in particular. Moreover, ceramic foam reduces resonance in the interior of the STEP . The extremely stiff and open-pore material figuratively takes on the function of a labyrinth. The acoustic noise inevitably emitted from the chassis into the cabinet interior essentially gets lost in the pores, thereby undergoing a massive reduction in power, and can no longer affect the sound. Traditional insulation materials do not even come close to achieving this effect.
The slight rear tilt of the cabinet body balances out phase differences between the mid and high range. Low mid-range drivers and tweeters are placed flush with the front panel. Deformation effects that can lead to a nervous sound don’t have a chance.
An additional essential contribution to natural sound is provided by the re-engineered crossover with its painstakingly selected components. The interior wiring, as well as the high-quality WBT™ control terminal, mechanically decoupled from the cabinet, are also part of the tonal coordination. The sum of all these details leads to a stunning attention to detail and homogeneity that will thrill the discerning audiophile. Not least thanks to their tonal balance and impressive dynamic capabilities, the STEP also makes a fine seamless addition as rear speakers in an AUDIO PHYSIC surround system.
On the elegant loudspeaker feet from our line of accessories, the STEP will have ideal operating conditions. The feet guarantee optimal height and a sturdy stance.
Technical Specs
The 2-way speaker features two different drivers that share reproduction of the entire frequency range – one mid-woofer (in the case of center speakers, often two of them) and a tweeter. Usually the crossover frequency is set between 2,000Hz and 3,000Hz.
Many AUDIO PHYSIC Core Technologies have been combined to build the HHCM-III tweeter. Together, they serve a single purpose: To guarantee an authentic rendition of the music, unaffected by any unwanted vibrations.
Ceramic Foam is a high-tech material used for internal bracing in many of our speakers. It is much stiffer than MDF although it consists of 85% air. This means, the room taken up by the internal bracing is also part of the effective volume of air the drivers need to work. By using Ceramic Foam, we can build loudspeakers that match and out-perform much bulkier speakers.
AUDIO PHYSIC’S unique DUAL BASKET DESIGN is a true break-through innovation and the most important part of the HHCM-III technology. Instead of the tradition single basket, our HHCM-III features two separate baskets to prevent and subdue unwanted vibrations already at the source.
ACTIVE CONE DAMPING is a unique design to reduce resonances in metal diaphragms, developed exclusively by AUDIO PHYSIC.
All midrange drivers used in AUDIO PHYSIC speakers feature an aluminium phase plug mounted directly onto the motor system. This elaborate design has several advantages over conventional drivers.
Most our speakers have a regular single-wiring terminal to avoid unnecessary metal or wire bridges that would harm sound quality when used in single-wiring configuration (Which is what most Hi-Fi fans actually use). However, an optional Bi-Wiring/Bi-Amping Terminal can usually be ordered with any new speaker. Retrofitting only on special request.
By coating a conical aluminium diaphragm with a special ceramic material, AUDIO PHYSIC creates a diaphragm that is at the same time very light as well as extremely rigid. When used together with ACTIVE CONE DAMPING technology the cone diaphragm is virtually immune against any partial oscillations that would otherwise impair the sound.
Unwanted vibrations have negative effects on sound quality wherever they occur in the signal path. Because AUDIO PHYSIC has made it their mission to fight unwanted vibration and resonance whenever and wherever they occur, the fully decoupled VIBRATION CONTROL TERMINAL (VCT) has been devised.
Many AUDIO PHYSIC Core Technologies have been combined to build the HHCM-III midrange driver. Together, they serve a single purpose: To guarantee an authentic rendition of the music, unaffected by any unwanted vibrations.