Egg-Shaped Speakers and Power Amplifiers for Home Use
"Time Domain Audio System ECLIPSE TD" making a fresh debut
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[Photographs]
Group photo: (from left) "A502" , "512" ~2 , "508PA"
Feature photo: "512"
FUJITSU TEN LIMITED (head office located in Kobe; led by president Takamitsu Tsuchimoto; capitalized at 5.3 billion yen) is pleased to announce the market debut on April 20, 2001, of the "ECLIPSE TD" Series. The product consists of the Egg-Shaped Speakers, based on the time domain theory and designed for the ultimate pursuit of original sounds in the sound source, for accurate reproduction of details of the artistfs emotion from the pianist's touches to the vocalist's breaths, and the Power Amplifier that maximizes the fine performance of the oval speakers. The speakers are capable of reproducing a realistic sound stage and thus present themselves as an exciting part of the DVD 5.1-channel home theater systems that are making a boom today.
The new products can be ordered on the Internet (starting on March 30) using the "ECLIPSE TD Net Order System (URL = http://www.eclipse-td.com)" (or from authorized retailers).
All customers making a reservation during the reservation campaign period from March 30 to April 19 will receive a campaign give-away present (ECLIPSE TD original cleaning cloth) as a token of appreciation.
The company will introduce Brian Eno as its advertising character on the catalogs and websites. Brian Eno is a famed musician, producer, and visual artists from the UK. He happens to be the producer of the "Beautiful Day" by U2 that won three Grammy awards for 2001.
yList of ECLIPSE TD componentsz
Component name | Model | Price (wo/tax) | Release date | Monthly quantity |
12cm speaker (x1) |
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Amplifier |
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8cm speaker (x2)
+ amplifier |
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Speaker stand (x1) |
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"Want the real sound of a live performance" is the ultimate wish of all audio and music living people. The ECLIPSE TD, based not only on the traditional audio theory built on the frequency domain but also on the time domain theory targeting the reproduction of the time domain, is a new system with full attention to the reproduction of the original sound as accurately as possible. The listener can enjoy nearly the live sounds with precise reproduction of the artist's emotion such as the pianist's touches and the vocalist's breaths.
The new system is capable of reproducing a realistic sound stage and thus presents itself as an exciting part of the DVD 5.1-channel home theater systems that are making a boom today.
FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, committing itself to providing "exciting sounds" for the music lovers, has won a global sympathy from the users of its car audio systems. By introducing the ECLIPSE TD, we hope to provide even more exciting sounds and provoke a sound revolution among more people, which will help create and foster a new musical culture.
Though the sales are initially limited to the domestic markets, we hope to make the new systems available to the people in Europe and North America as soon as necessary preparations are completed.
yMain featuresz
¡Speakers
ƒNew Product having eggshell construction„
1. Designed according to the time domain theory for the accurate
reproduction of the original sounds as faithfully as possible, including
the relation positions of the instruments, their width and depth, and even
the artist's breaths.
Proposed by Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshii, president of Time Domain Co., Ltd.,
the time domain theory represents an audio theory consisting of three speaker
variations (egg-shaped, cylindrical, and horn types). (The cylindrical
type was introduced in the market in July 2000 by Time Domain Co., Ltd.)
The conventional audio theory mainly addresses the frequency domain in flattening the reproduction limitations and characteristics from low to high sounds, and in minimizing the distortion factors. The time domain theory focuses on the frequency domain as well as the reproduction of the time domain.
The "sound" is the "vibration" of air. The time domain theory is so named as it is an attempt to reproduce the time process from the generation of the vibration to its extinction (the process of a sound waveform) accurately and make it as close to the original sound as faithfully as possible. The ECLIPSE TD reflects a number of measures to reduce unwanted vibrations and reflected sounds caused by various factors so as to embody the time domain theory.
2. Vibration reduced by a floating structure using a diffusion
stay
Unwanted vibration and reflected sounds are caused by, among others,
the way the speaker unit is fitted directly to the enclosure (speaker box).
As the vibration in the speaker unit is transmitted directly to the enclosure,
the original sound waveform is affected by sounds unrelated to the authentic
musical signals.
To avoid the adverse effect, a new supporting system was developed
for the ECLIPSE TD. The new support contains five stays, extending inward
in an elbowing manner from the grand anchor, that support the speaker unit.
The adverse effect was eliminated by adopting the floating structure in
which the speaker unit does not contact the enclosure.
3. Ideal piston motion by a scaffolding that adopts a grand anchor
Unwanted vibration can be prevented by separating the speaker unit
from the enclosure. However, this would also eliminate the scaffolding
needed for converting the musical signal into a piston-like motion (reciprocating
motion) of the diaphragm. The ECLIPSE TD uses a massive, conical grand
anchor connected to the back of the magnet of the speaker unit. This rugged
scaffolding provides an ideal reciprocating motion.
4. A unique design featuring an egg-shell construction that reduces
the reflective sound while enhancing the decorative quality
Another cause of the reflective sound is the shape of the enclosure.
When subjected to sound pressure, the conventional enclosure with a flat
structure tends to cause the wall to vibrate and generate internal standing
waves. A round baffle was once used to correct the problem, but failed
to remove the internal reflective sound. The ECLIPSE TD uses a unique egg-shaped
form that is highly rigid and thus prevents standing waves. This form effectively
eliminates the resonance caused by the internal sounding waves or reflective
sounds caused by the bouncing on the outside of the enclosure.
¡ Power amplifiers
Various measures are incorporated for the speakers to reproduce the original sounds as accurately as possible:
1. Only the minimum necessary output to maximize the characteristics
of the speaker unit.
2. Simple electronic circuit design.
3. Elimination of the tone control and the equalizer than disturb the
phase characteristics.
4. A curved design that eliminates the effects of the change in sound
pressure in the room and a unique design that enhances the decorative quality.
yMethod of salesz
Sold via the ECLIPSE TD Net Order System
1. Ordering method
Orders are accepted at the authorized stores or directly on the Internet
(URL http://www.eclipse-td.com).
Note: Orders not accepted from i-mode or other cellular phones.
2. Testing
Testing is available at authorized stores (about 30 stores as of March
2001).
3. Delivery
The ordered products will be delivered within a week to 10 days.
Note: Orders accepted during the reservation order period will be shipped
on or after April 20.
4. Method of payment
Cash or credit on delivery.
Acceptable credit cards as of March 2001>
Debit cards, JCB, VISA, Master, Orico, Saison, OMC, Kyodo, Kokunai
Shinpan, Mycal, Diners (or their affiliated cards)
Note: Payment by credit cards are executed for the entire amount on
the first settlement date.
Note: Payment by credit cards is restricted to the service areas of
the NTT DoCoMo cellular phones.
yECLIPSE TD Net Order Systemz
Potential customers can test the product and get technical advice at an authorized store before placing an order at the store (acting as an ordering agent). Potential customers without an authorized store in the neighborhood can order directly on the Internet.
ƒAdvantages for all three parties„
(1)Customer: Unlike with ordinary orders placed on the Internet,
the customer has a hand-on
experience of the product and receive technical advice and follow-on
service
from the store.
(2) Store: Can reduce purchasing, inventory, distribution and other
costs.
(3) Maker: Can reduce distribution costs and distributor construction
costs.
yStart of reservation ordersz
Friday, March 30, 2001
yStart of sales (first shipment)z
Friday, April 20, 2001
yReservation campaignz
All customers making a reservation during the reservation campaign
period from March 30 to April 19 will receive a campaign give-away present
(ECLIPSE TD original cleaning cloth) as a token of appreciation.
yOutline of Timedomain Corporationz
1. Company name | Timedomain Corporation |
2. Location | Takayama Science Plaza 8916-12, Takayama-cho, Ikoma-shi,@Nara, Japan |
3. Capital | 10,000,000yen |
4. Representative President | Hiroyuki Yoshii |
5. Foundation | September 1997 |
6. Employees | 8 |
7. Business Line | Research and development, manufacturing and Sales of@Timedomain audio systems. |
8. Home Page | http://www.timedomain.co.jp/ |
ySpecificationsz
¡ 12cm speaker "512"
Unit | ƒÓ12cm full range |
Input resistance (rating/max.) | 30W^60W |
Impedance | 6Ħ |
Efficiency/sensitivity | 81dB^W-m |
Reproducible frequency band | 45Hz`20KH‚ši]10‚„Bj |
Maximum dimensions | 286iWj~373iDj~363iHj |
Mass (per speaker) | 12.0kg |
Unit anti-magnetism | › |
ƒMaterial„
Unit | Cone paper | Glassfiber sheet | |
Center cap | Polypropylene | ||
Edge | Rubber | ||
Enclosure | Polyethylene t=10mm | ||
Diffusion stay | Diecast aluminum | ||
Stand | Diecast aluminum + resin | ||
Grand anchor | Iron | ||
Absorber | Cotton |
¡ Amplifier "A502"
Rated output | 30W~2chiT.H.D.=1%Žžj |
Input impedance | 10KĦ |
Input sensitivity | 265mVrms |
Load impedance | 6Ħ min. |
Reproducible frequency characteristics | 10Hz`100KHzi|3dBj |
Harmonic distortion | 0.05% max. (at 1KHz, 1/2 rated output) |
Power consumption | 42W |
Maximum dimensions | Body: 187i‚vj~167iDj~197iHjmm
Power supply: 215(W)~183(D)~97(H)mm |
Mass | Body: 3.2kg
Power supply: 2.5kg |
¡8cm speaker and amplifier combination "508PA"
ƒSpeaker„
Unit | ƒÓ8cm full range |
Input resistance(rating/max.) | 12W^24W |
Impedance | 8Ħ |
Efficiency/sensitivity | 79dB^W-m |
Reproducible frequency band | 65Hz`20KHZi-10dBj |
Maximum dimensions | 191(W)~236(D)~221(H)mm |
Mass (per speaker) | 2.0kg |
Unit anti-magnetism | › |
ƒMaterial„
Unit | Cone paper | Paper | |
Center cap | Paper | ||
Edge | NFR | ||
Enclosure | Foam polypropylene t=7mm | ||
Diffusion stay | Diecast aluminum | ||
Stand | Diecast aluminum + resin | ||
Grand anchor | Iron | ||
Absorber | Cotton |
ƒAmplifier„
Rated output | 12W~2ch (T.H.D.=1%) |
Input impedance | 10KĦ |
Input sensitivity | 200mVrms |
Load impedance | 8Ħmin. |
Reproducible frequency characteristics | 10Hz`100KHzi-3dBj |
Harmonic distortion | 0.05% max. (at 1KHz, 1/2 rated output) |
Power consumption | 20W |
Maximum dimensions | Body: 159iWj~142iDj~158iHjmmAC adapter: 130(W)~92(D)~67(H)mm |
Mass | Body: 1.5kgAdapter: 1.6kg |
¡ Speaker stand "D1"
Maximum dimensions | 300(W)~250(D)~600(H)mm |
Mass (per speaker) | 31.0kg |