Genesis Advanced Technologies introduced the 6-foot tall, 220 pound, Genesis 2.2 Junior (G2jr) line-source floorstanding loudspeaker featuring a 48-inch midrange ribbon and twin 12-inch servo-controlled amplified subwoofers per channel. The Genesis 2.2 Junior line-source loudspeaker system is the culmination of a 30-year legacy of reference-level line-source dipole flagship loudspeaker systems dating back to the Genesis I in 1993, and even back to the IRS in 1977. Based on the popular Genesis 2.2, the junior is a two-tower system that can be used in smaller rooms in which the four-tower G2.2 would be overwhelming.
This state-of-the-art system is designed to reproduce music at live listening levels with virtually no restrictions on dynamic range, frequency response, or width, breadth and height of soundstage. The G2jr is commissioned, not simply bought off the shelf — it is custom-built in the USA for the most dedicated and discerning music-lovers worldwide.
Genesis claims the advantage of a line-source loudspeaker is that sound pressure level falls off at -3dB for every doubling of distance away from the loudspeaker instead of -6dB as with a point source loudspeaker. Hence, a point-source and a line-source loudspeaker with the same sensitivity at 1m will have a 6dB difference at 4m. The line-source loudspeaker will have double the sound pressure level at the listening position.
“Being a line-source, the G2jr is quite unique among loudspeakers generally available to the average consumer and it has several advantages,” said Mr Gary Leonard Koh, President and CEO of Genesis. “Because small changes in distance make less of a difference in sound pressure level with line sources, it has a sweet-spot that accommodates a couple or a family instead of just one person. Also, at the usual listening distance, it will be twice as efficient as the equivalent point-source loudspeaker. This makes the G2jr sound more dynamic and louder with the same amplifier power, or more capable with lesser powered amplifiers.”
“The ribbon midrange and ribbon tweeters have far less mass than conventional cone transducers. This allows the music lover to listen to music at a lower volume but with the same clarity and dynamics, allowing for late-night listening in a family room without bothering the rest of the family,” said Ms Carolyn Koh, COO of Genesis.
The G2jr has a single 48-inch long ribbon midrange and twelve 1-inch ring-radiator ribbon tweeters on a 1 1⁄2-inch thick solid cast acrylic non-resonant baffle. In addition, two 12-inch aluminum woofers plus a 1,000W servo-controlled bass amplifier are built into an attached bass enclosure.
In the mid-high frequencies, it is a true dipole line-source. That means that there is minimal vertical dispersion, and horizontal cancellation in the plane of the drivers. The result is minimum floor and ceiling bounce and very much reduced side-wall reflections, resulting in solidly pin-point imaging and a wide and spacious soundstage.
Another advantage of a line source over a point source is that less power is needed to maintain the same loudness level with greater distance from the loudspeaker. Conversely, the same amplifier will sound far more dynamic at any given seating distance. Since small changes in distance result in far less change in sound pressure level, the listening “sweet spot” is also hugely extended, which means no more listening alone. The enjoyment of music becomes a family affair, and the listening chair becomes a listening couch or loveseat.
The single 48-inch midrange means that the critical frequencies from 120Hz to 3500Hz are covered with a single driver without crossovers in between.
The Genesis ring ribbon tweeter has s dispersion matching the midrange, which means that the sonic picture does not change with small movements of the head when you “bop to the music.” The two 12-inch woofers result in tightly controlled, smooth, and dynamic bass response in any room. Having a built-in servo-controlled bass amplifier means that there is no need to have to choose between using a muscle-bound amplifier with enough power to drive the woofers and a lower-powered amplifier having better harmonic, tonal and spatial characteristics. Servo-control results in extended bass response down to 16Hz with vanishing low distortion. The G2jr provides the dedicated audiophile with ample means to adjust the sonic presentation: a rear tweeter control tailors the high frequencies for different room environments; and bass gain and low-pass filter adjustment provide the ability to adjust the bass to match the listening room. A unique midrange phase/contour switch allows for adjustment of soundstage height for personal preference.
Price and Availability
The Genesis G2jr Line-Source Loudspeakers are available now for $80,000 from Authorized Dealers and Country Distributors Only.
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 16Hz to 40kHz, +/- 3dB
- Sensitivity: 90 dB 1 watt 1 meter
- Max/Min Tube Power: 500/60 watts
- Max/Min Solid State Power: 1000/100 watts
- Input Impedance: 4 ohms (nominal)
- HF Transducers: Fifteen 1” circular ribbon (12 front, 3 rear)
- Midrange Transducer: One 48” ribbon
- LF Transducers: Two 12” ribbed-aluminum cone
- Servo-Controlled Bass Amplifier: 1000W
- Loudspeaker Controls: Rear Tweeter level (+/-1dB), Upper Midrange Contour (+/-0.75dB)
- Dimensions: H 75″ x W 21″ x D 28″ (H 1905mm x W 533mm x D 712mm)
- System Weight: 450 lbs (205 kg)
- Finish Options: High Gloss Black Acrylic
