Carces, France–Waterfall Audio (www.waterfallaudio.com), the French company that will debut its unique line of glass loudspeakers at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show, will showcase its two flagship models for the American market. The company, known worldwide for the striking glass-enclosure designs it distributes in 30 different countries, will display and demonstrate its unique Victoria EVO and Iguascu EVO, named for the famous waterfalls in Africa and South America, respectively.
Waterfall’s designs feature dramatic enclosures that are individually handcrafted entirely of glass, which produce the visual effect of drivers that seem to “float” invisibly in the room. The company was launched in 1996, but spent nearly a half-decade developing its exclusive glass-fabrication techniques with French partner Miroiterie Merle. These include a combination of advanced computer-controlled diamond and water-jet glass cutting techniques that result in unprecedented precision and finish quality. Just as important, Waterfall engaged in extensive research and development of the acoustic technologies that make possible its unique designs.
The Victoria EVO and Iguascu EVO are slim, pure-glass towers standing 40 inches high but just 10 inches wide. The Victoria EVO, a three-way/four-driver design, includes Waterfall’s proprietary, downfiring, 8-1/2-inch passive woofer, the Iguascu (34-inches tall by 10-inches W) employs identical drivers (including the passive woofer) in a two-way/three-driver arrangement. Both models use a key Waterfall technology: the Acoustic Damping Tube (ADT), which performs near-total damping of mid- and low-frequency “back-wave” artifacts, and precise damping control of midrange reflections, allowing the speakers to produce superbly accurate, high-end performance within their effectively undamped glass enclosures.
The Waterfall designs also feature drivers designed and manufactured by French partner Atohm–the 6-inch bass/midrange unit in both the woofer and midrange (Victoria) positions. This custom-alloy-diaphragm driver achieves superbly low-distortion output with impressive dynamic range. The Atohm tweeter is a ¾-inch silk-coated dome design capable of smooth, unobtrusive, yet remarkably extended treble. Ultra-linear crossover topologies grace both models, with best-grade components such as polypropylene capacitors employed throughout. The use of “doubled” low-frequency drivers delivers enhanced power-handling, while the exclusive downfiring passive woofer, an exceptionally low-profile design effectively disguised within each speaker’s base, extends useful low-bass output to well below 38 Hz (Victoria) and 48 Hz (Iguascu).
Waterfall’s latest flagship models integrate internal “stretched” driver wiring that virtually disappears within each speaker’s angles and edges, keeping heavy speaker-cabling at floor level and preserving the clean, dramatic look their customers so value. Drivers and base are fashioned from precision-machined cast aluminum to preserve the high-end look and feel of the speakers. Audiophile-grade, solid-metal multi-way connectors, are integrated into the floor-level base of each speaker, and optional grilles individual to each driver, complete the Victoria and Iguascu packages.
Availability: February / March 2008
Suggested Retail U.S. Prices:
Victoria Evo: $5,400/pair
Iguascu Evo: $3,900/pair
