Schetl writes: “The first open cell aluminium foam composite speaker has arrived. Our first product introduced in 2022, the PATHWAY is based on our enclosure design principle, Under-Excited Transmission Line (UETL), which can be consider as very special case of transmission lines. It is not only cleaner and faster in the low and low-mid range than conventional TL, but also works exceedingly at very high motor strength/moving mass ratio.”
This is the case with our SCALEAX coaxial driver, optimized over the years. A 12 inch unit with a particularly balanced directional characteristic allowing 3 kHz crossover frequency. The tweeter horn unit shaped by individual function, forming a quasi-constant directivity horn. The very strong low-mid magnetic circuit with paper diaphragm and the 32 g moving mass also contribute to a coherent sound at such a high crossover frequency.
We assemble the Scaleax drivers in-house, with components from three different European manufacturers and our own production.
The PATHWAY is a fully passive, two and a half-way design, consisting of two separate cabinets, isolated and stacked on top of each other. The SCALEAX coaxial speaker is located in the top unit which radiates full range. In the lower section is a 12-inch woofer, similar to the coaxial unit, with a very powerful motor and a lightweight moving system. It supports the range below 250 Hz, so a sensitivity of 96 dB/W can be achieved. This, combined with the impedance curve kept in mind at the design stage, makes it particularly tube-friendly. The typical lower room response is around 30 Hz, with an upper cut-off frequency of 24 kHz.
The passive crossover network in the plinth is housed in an acoustically separated cavity. The woofer section contains an electrically first-order filter circuit. The crossover of the low-midrange and the high range is second order. The components used are of very high quality, selected through careful listening tests in the final stages of development. Rotary switches are used to adjust the final balance to the room acoustic conditions. The connection between the plinth and the top box is achieved by the supplied carbon cables.
The cabinets are made of premium quality beech multiplex plywood. This, combined with the strategic and functional stiffeners, makes the structure extremely robust.
What does this mean overall?
The well-recorded human voice gives you goose bumps, it’s so lifelike. You can almost breathe the air of the concert hall. The spatial representation is flawless, the depth almost unlimited. The bass is stunningly tactile, yet airy and tight. Yes, maybe better than a huge dipole.
Drive and rhythm? Search for a term, we haven’t found one yet. It is difficult to hear something similar, but there are plenty of adjectives. But a good approach is to say that this ability is mainly found among bass horns.
Available finishes
Veneers for matt-silk finish: Elm, European Walnut, Picled Wenge.
- Monochrome high gloss finishes: Black, White.
Warranty
- 5 years full coverage.
Technical Specifications
- Coaxial fullrange unit
- Low-midrange: 12″ paper cone
- High range driver: 1.7″ titanium diaphragm compression driver
- Highrange horn material: high-density composite polymer
- Bass unit
- Diaphragm: 12″ paper cone
- Complete system
- Sensitivity @1W/1m: 94.5…96 dB depending on BS setting
- Recommended room size: 30…100 m2
- Recommended amplifier: >10W
- Nominal impedance: 8 Ω
- Connection: Cardas Patented Binding Post
- Supplied plinth: SoundCare Superspike M8
- Measurements, W x H (with feet) x D: 408 x 1097 x 470 mm
- Total weight, net: 62 kg / side, 124 kg / pair
- Packaging: 4 separate boxes, each <40 kg