Gemme Audio Vflex Technology
par Marc Philip, Magazine Audio. Publié le 10 février 2007
Gemme Audio is proud to announce its exclusive VFlex Acoustic Loading technology.
The new VFlex architecture from Gemme Audio provides never heard of acoustic performance in small driver loudspeakers.
This unrivaled loudspeaker construction technology defies the very laws of physics by extending low frequency reproduction below the human hearing threshold of 20 Hz.
After intensive research and development Gemme Audio engineers came with a unique Focused Pressure Field loading method, that extends low frequency reproduction of small drivers by at least two octaves. This revolutionary acoustic loading technology operates by accurately controlling cone movements, and accelerating air motion, much like a turbocharger in a car engine.
VFlex enables the construction of small tower enclosures that will easily reach 20 Hz using a single 16,5 cm driver. Such performances could only be achieved by the use of a separate active subwoofer module until now.
Gemme Audio offers two VFlex loudspeaker models:
TANTO
- 2-way floorstanding loudspeakers
- Vflex turbocharging sub-bass technology
- Natural sound Silver Flute W17RC38-04, 16.5 cm wool-paper cone mid/bass driver
- High Definition 3/4″ Vifa XT19 Ring Radiator Tweeter
- Machined front and back baffles with surface vibration breaking V grooves
- Minimal coloration through sturdy, heavily braced cabinets
- Inside baffle panel asymmetric focal grooves to break and spread
standing sound waves - Gold plated Cardas multi function terminals
- Tripod footing with integrated adjustable spikes
- High gloss piano finish with a choice of color (cherry wood or optional exotic bubinga pommele wood)
- Sensitivity: 91.5 db @ 1 w/1 m
- Impedance : 4 ohms
- Recommended amplifier power : 30 to 300 W
- Frequency response : 20 - 30,000 Hz
- Dimensions* : 36″ H x 10″ W x 15″ D
- Weight : 80 pounds each
VIVACE
- Single-driver small tower speakers
- Vflex turbo-charging sub-bass technology
- Natural sound Fostex FE108E Sigma 4″ driver
- Machined front and back baffles with surface vibration breaking V grooves
- Minimal coloration through sturdy, heavily braced cabinets
- Inside baffle panel asymmetric focal grooves to break and spread
standing sound wave - Gold plated Cardas multi function terminals
- Tripod footing with integrated adjustable spikes
- High gloss piano finish with a choice of color (cherry wood or optional exotic bubinga pommele wood)
- Sensitivity: 92 db @ 1 W/1 m
- Impedance : 8 ohms
- Recommended amplifier power : 3 to 100 W
- Frequency response : 20 - 20,000 Hz
- Dimensions* : 36″ H x 10″ W x 15″ D
- Weight : 80 pounds each (36 kg each)
* Tripod footing adds 2″ to height
Robert Gaboury presents its Vflex concept, used in the “Tanto” and “Vivace” loudspeakers.
Seconded by Jean-Pierre Boudreau, its associate.
“Tanto“, listening impressions as heard at the AMA presentation in Montreal
At first sight the Tanto silhouette reminds me of a renowned make of loudspeakers. I’m not alone, nobody stays indifferent : these speakers look beautiful, really beautiful.
The friendly size of the Tanto, their outstanding finish and look, the revolutionary VFlex concept, … If the sound of these beauties is as good as their look, we will witness the birth of an exceptional performer, ready to become the talk of town, and satisfy a large number of music enthusiasts. The rest of this presentation will tell…
The audio system
- Marantz SA11-S1 Reference CD/SACD Player
- Passive preamp (resistive volume control)
- English-made Croft tube preamplifier
- Pass Aleph 3, 30 watts power amplifier
- 6sonsaudio gold/silver/copper cables brought by Gemme Audio.
After the first 10 seconds, everyone agrees : the sound fills the very large AMA presentation room and, unexpectedly, the bass is there in spades.
When I talk about bass, I really mean high-pressure, sub-bass. I could easily verify that door fixtures, walls, and tables were subject to that pressure, as we heard these vibrating more than once.
Just to keep everything in context, the Gemme Audio presentation was made in a large hall : (60 ft x 27 ft x 15 ft) and the Tanto single woofer is only 6.5″ or 16,5 cm in diameter.
I wrote the first word that came to me to describe the sound I was hearing : Alive.
The harmonic richness and sense of aliveness were astounding, even from the back of the room or from the sides.
This small Tanto really gets the job done. On some material, I noticed some upper midrange congestion. That said, keep in mind that the AMA presentation room offers no acoustic treatment, and has always been a very difficult place for all speakers. It’s a real challenge to fill that room with sound, and the Tanto succeeded that feat hands down.
I sincerely do not remember when was the last time I heard a loudspeaker offer such articulate, deep, and strong bass. I’m really astonished, and suddenly a voice from the assistance spontaneously shouts : “… we can say one thing : these speakers can really play MUSIC …”.
I couldn’t agree more with that comment. Something is happening here, something very real.
During the second part of the presentation, we used the Croft tube preamp, and I immediately sensed a loss of dynamics, eliminating the upper medium congestion I noticed before, but at a price… The music became lifeless, and I felt the tube preamplifier was no stranger to this fact. It is a well known fact that I prefer solid state equipment, even more so with preamplifers, but I’ll leave this debate open to others…
In any case, if changes of dynamic expression and tonality are so evidently heard after replacing a single piece of equipment, there’s no doubt, we’re listening to a very good loudspeaker.
In a acoustically correct listening room, with a well balanced audio system, I’m sincerely convinced these Tanto could offer amazing performance. We personally invited Gemme Audio to bring a pair in our studio, in order to offer you an exhaustive review in the near future.
In the end, I easily imagine a big LCD screen and a pair of Tanto to drive the home theater show. With the incredible bass these speakers achieve, you no longer need a subwoofer.
Easy integration, high-end design and thrilling sensations guaranteed !
Strengths :
- The totally impressive bass
- Subjective dynamics
- Concert Hall presentation (at a distance)
- Room filling sound
- Manufactured in Canada
Weaknesses :
- Upper midrange was a bit laid-back (I would think it was due to a matching problem with the tube preamplifier).
Conclusion
When adding the friendly size of the Tanto, the superb fit and finish, the innovative VFlex concept, and preliminary listening impressions (these were final prototypes, and some modifications are still discussed), there is no doubt in my mind that Gemme Audio is now entering the closed circle of high-end loudspeaker manufacturers.
Admittedly, Gemme Audio is a young company and their long-term reputation is to be established, but there is no doubt that the Tanto should prove a big commercial success. Don’t forget : the name is Tanto and the technology is VFlex.
Obviously the customer will be the final judge, but even in such an unfriendly listening room, a pair of Tanto was spontaneously ordered by a listener. Such a rare event during an AMA demo-meeting is undoubtly a very good sign.
Gemme Audio is looking for audio professionals who would be interested in becoming resellers.
Gemme Audio will be present at the Montreal Home Entertainment and Electronics Show (FSI) 2007 from April 12 to 15, and you are cordially invited to discover that new line of fine loudspeakers and especially the VFlex concept in Room 830.
Dear Robert and Jean-Pierre, I, along with the members of our team, wish you great commercial success, and we sincerely hope that your voice will be heard way beyond our frontiers. Let me finish on this : I’m certainly not alone, wishing for a pair of Tanto for my own living room.
Retail price : 5500,00 $ Can by pair
Manufacturer contacts
Robert Gaboury
President & CEO
Jean-Pierre Boudreau
Vice President Operation and Sales
Gemme Audio
450.472.5908 - Tel
450.735.4262 - Fax
514.512.5908 - Cel
You will find many complementary information on their web site : http://www.gemmeaudio.com
This report was written by Marc PHILIP, independant writer, all rights reserved, magazine-audio©2007. Texts and photos are the property of Marc PHILIP and protected under a “creative commons” licence : http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/Good day and good listening.
