The Unicorn MK II Omnidirectional Loudspeaker
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The Unicorn, as its name suggests is a very rare animal: a single driver loudspeaker that covers the full audio range. It uses a single carbon fibre DDD driver to cover the full range from 24kHz all the way down to 40Hz. The bass has a speed and smoothness of integration with the rest of the audio range that we have yet to hear bettered. The overall clarity, coherence and finesse the Unicorn provides make it a dream for lovers of vocal, jazz and classical music. It is also capable of surprising rock music fans.
The unusual look of the German Physiks Unicorn MK II is dictated by the way it works
Form Follows Function
The Unicorn’s single DDD driver sits on top of a cabinet that houses a sophisticated horn system. Above about 200Hz the DDD driver radiates the sound directly, as it does on all other German Physiks loudspeakers. Below this, low frequency energy radiated from below the DDD driver is coupled to the horn system. This allows the low frequency response to be extended down to below 40Hz, however the speed and clarity of the bass gives the impression of even greater extension.
Using just one driver, the result is a loudspeaker with the exceptional resolution, speed and 3-dimensional stereo imaging we have come to expect from all German Physiks designs, plus an outstandingly clean and dynamic bass from the horn system. Bass, wind and string instruments are reproduced with a degree of fidelity rarely heard outside of the concert hall. If you are a horn loudspeaker aficionado, this could be the loudspeaker that you have been waiting for.
Ultra Fast Low Distortion Bass
Considerable work went into designing the Unicorn’s horn system. The final design comprises a high gain horn coupled with a tuned bass trap. The bass trap keeps mid-frequency energy out of the horn. This would otherwise lead to smearing due to time differences between the DDD driver’s direct radiation and the horn, as well as cause a bump in the mid frequency response. To achieve a completely even frequency response in the transition region, a small amount of equalisation is applied to the input signal by a network which is housed in a separate case. The excellent qualities the DDD driver shows in its normal mode of operation are exhibited in the bass produced by the horn. It is fast, agile and extremely clean. There is no hint of bloat or overhang and distortion is impressively low.
The heart of all German Physiks loudspeakers is the unique omnidirectional DDD driver
The German Physiks DDD driver uses a cone made of extremely thin (0.15mm) carbon fibre. This is very light, but also very rigid. Each driver is hand-built by a skilled technician in our factory in Germany. This is a painstaking process that takes 6 hours. After assembly, each driver undergoes a series of rigorous tests. It is then subject to a 96 hour pre-aging process, playing specially selected music at high level. Finally, it is retested and put together with another driver to form a matched pair.
The DDD driver has two key distinguishing features
1. It is omnidirectional, meaning that it radiates the sound evenly around it.
2. It has an exceptionally wide operating range. In the Unicorn MK II it covers the range from 40Hz up to 24kHz – over 9 octaves.
This extremely wide range is achieved by the use of 3 modes of radiation
Pistonic radiation
Bending wave radiation
Modal radiation
By comparison, most loudspeakers use drivers that only use pistonic radiation. These have a much narrower operating range and as the frequency rises, they tend to concentrate their energy into a progressively narrowing beam.
Designed for a Lifetime of Listening Pleasure
As you would expect from a German product, the quality of construction and reliability are first class. We use the same quality of parts in the Carbon MK IV as in our reference products, where we design for a minimum life expectancy of 25 years.
For this reason we have selected highly corrosion resistant V4 grade stainless steel for the DDD driver support pillars, terminal mounting plates and all the screws.
Meticulous care and attention is paid during the manufacture of the Carbon MK IV. Prior to assembly all components and materials are subject to a rigorous inspection. We also carry out detailed inspections at each stage of the manufacturing process. We can afford to do this as we build our products by hand in small batches. After assembly, the performance of each loudspeaker is measured. Then it is burnt in for at least 12 hours and measured again. Once the burn process is complete each loudspeaker is given a final detailed physical inspection before being packed.
Product Finishes
The Unicorn MK II loudspeaker is available in black or white high-polish polyester; a wide range of high quality veneers in both satin and high gloss lacquer; satin and high gloss automotive paint finishes and carbon fibre. Some finishes, such as carbon fibre, are only available on the side panels. Please consult with your dealer to discuss the options available.
Finish Options
- High Polish Only*
- Satin Only**
- Satin or High Polish***
Hand Finished For Ultimate Quality
Because the look of our products is as important as the sound, all cabinets are hand built and finished in Germany by skilled cabinet makers for the best possible furniture grade finish
They are built in small batches, so that they can maintain a consistently high level of quality. Nothing is rushed.
Polyester Black Polyester White Carbon Fibre
Pappel Burl American Cherry Bubinga Cognac
Bubinga Pommele Pappel Cluster Cognac European Walnut
Macassar Ebony Macassar Bubinga
Walnut Burl Walnut Cluster
Product Specifications
Impedance
4 ohms
Frequency Response
40 – 24,000Hz
Power Handling
Nominal 100W
Short term 140W
Amplification required
Minimum 60W/4 ohms
High frequency adjustment
-2dB, flat, +2dB and +4dB centred at 8,000Hz
Low frequency adjustment
Flat, +1.0dB, +2.0db and +3.5dB centred at 60Hz
Sensitivity
88.0 dB for 1W at 1m
Operating principle
Full range loudspeaker with 360° surround radiation
using the German Physiks DDD driver
Input connectors
1 set of WBT nextgen™ binding post
Drivers
1 x carbon fibre DDD drive
Recommended room size
8 - 46 square metres
84 – 486 square feet
Finish options
Satin or high polish veneer
High polish polyester black or white
Satin or high polish paint
Carbon fibre
Please see Finishes page for more information
Dimensions
Loudspeaker
550mm W x 1,241mm H x 460mm D
21.7" W x 48.9" H x 18.1" D
Network housing
270mm W x 173mm H x 230mm D
10.6" W x 6.8" H x 9.1" D
Weight
Loudspeaker 56.0kg / 123.2lbs
Network housing 4.4kg / 9.7lbs
Warranty
5 years
As part of our process of continually improving our products, we reserve the right to change specifications without notice.
Note 1: Includes a dsp based equaliser. This is not the Emperor Extreme unit..