The AVAA is a very effective solution to absorb frequencies below 150 Hz.
It is much smaller (up to 25 times) and thinner (up to 15 times at 20 Hz) then any porous material needed to have the same effect.
Therefore it allows saving space and it also avoids over-dampening the higher frequencies which is greatly appreciated.
Compared to resonators, the AVAA is more efficient in terms of equivalent absorption area and acts on a wide range of frequencies, 15 to 150 Hz.
In a multi-way speaker system, the crossover filters as well as the transducers inevitably introduce phase distortion and consequently also variations of group delay.
The group delays are higher in low frequencies than in high frequencies. Theses create a separation in time between the low and high frequencies which typically gives multi-way speakers a “hollow” sound.
In a limited frequency range, an all-pass filter will allow to alter the phase without influencing the amplitude.
The CPR system is made up of several all-pass filters each acting in a specific range of frequency and together obtaining a Compensated Phase Response. This then provides a constant group delay that is kept to the bare minimum through our entirely analogue technology.
Thanks to the CPR system, the placement of sound in the actual sound space is perfectly accurate. Amongst others, this technology allows designing a surround sound systems with different types of PSI Audio speakers whilst maintaining a perfectly accurate phase response.
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Classes G and H offer enhancements to the basic class AB design. Class G uses multiple power supply rails of various voltages, rapidly switching to a higher voltage when the audio signal wave has a peak value that is a higher voltage than the level of supply voltage, and switching back to a lower supply voltage when the peak value of the audio signal reduces. By switching the supply voltage to a higher level only when the largest output signals are present and then switching back to a lower level, average power consumption, and therefore heat caused by wasted power is reduced. Class H improves on class G by continually varying the supply voltage at any time where the audio signal exceeds a particular threshold level. The power supply voltage tracks the peak level of the signal to be only slightly higher than the instantaneous value of the audio wave, returning to its lower level once the signal peak value falls below the threshold level again. Both classes G and H therefore require considerably more complex power supplies, which adds to the cost of implementing these features.
All PSI Audio monitors have similar frequency and phase response and therefore can be mixed and matched in any multichannel system.
The advantages of a bigger monitor compared to a smaller one are the following:
- More powerful with higher sound pressure level output
- Lower frequencies can be reached
- Higher accuracy with tighter tolerances
So the choice of one monitors or another should be made taking into considerations:
- Listening distance
- Desired bandwidth
- Accuracy of monitor
However the following rule of thumb can be used
Monitor | Listening Distance | Typical room size | Typical use |
A14-M | 0.5 to 1 m | Up to 15 m2 | When space is limited such as offsite broadcasting vehicles. Accurate transportable monitor. Multichannel system. |
A17-M | 1 to 1.5 m | 10 to 25 m2 | Powerful accurate sound reproduction. Small studios, home studio |
A21-M | 1.5 to 2 m | 15 to 35 m2 | Medium sized rooms and when high accuracy is needed. Production, mastering, mixing |
A25-M | 2 to 3 m | 20 to 50 m2 | Large rooms when sound accuracy is paramound |
A215-M | 1.5 to 3 m | 15 to 25 m2 | Floorstanding monitor. Larger rooms with less treatmentMastering and listening situationsHifi |
A214-M | 1.5 to 3 m | 15 to 25 m2 | Central speaker in multichannel setup. Can easily be placed underneath a screen |
The warranty period is 5 years on all of PSI Audio products and on component and manufacturing defects.
Most of what can be done with digital technology can also be done with analogue technology. The advantage of analog technology is that it is faster and often avoids unnecessary conversion to and from digital.
Our monitors are phase linear. This is achieved through a series of carefully adjusted all-pass filters with a maximum latency of 0.6 milliseconds in the entire loudspeaker.
The AVAA is a very effective solution to absorb frequencies below 150 Hz.
It is much smaller (up to 25 times) and thinner (up to 15 times at 20 Hz) then any porous material needed to have the same effect.
Therefore it allows saving space and it also avoids over-dampening the higher frequencies which is greatly appreciated.
Compared to resonators, the AVAA is more efficient in terms of equivalent absorption area and acts on a wide range of frequencies, 15 to 150 Hz.
In an passive speaker the amplifier is outside the loudspeaker cabinet and can be at quite a distance.
With PSI Aduio active speakers you have many advantages:
- Each driver has its own amplifier, designed and built
- A 3 way system has 3 amplifiers each perfectly adapted to each driver
- The amplifier is as close as possible to the driver, minimising distortion
- The AOI circuitry is a real-time feedback system that can only work if amplifier and driver are designed together.
A good metaphor is that an active system is like a high-performance car the engine is designed and built to work perfectly all other parts of the car.
The latency in PSI Audio speakers depends on the model but is below 0.6 milliseconds. This is the time between when the electric signal enters the monitor until the acoustic signal comes out.
It is very important to have very low latency for all live recording, mixing and post-production.
All of our distributors and resellers will offer reliable and good quality service. Please contact them if there is one in your country.
If there is no reseller or distributor in your country please contact us at and we will provide you with an offer including delivery.
Email: sales@psiaudio.com
The most important part of a cable is the contacts and it is important to choose cables with good quality connectors and good shielding for the XLR cables.
There are many good cables on the market and we can only recommend any particular type or brand.
First of all the response from the different drivers and the port should combine perfectly to provide a flat frequency and linear phase response. The cross-over between the port and the woofer needs to be carefully adjusted and this lacks in many bass-reflex loudspeakers.
Then our AOI system ensures that the woofer membrane accelerates fast and stops fast with perfect accuracy and without any sound coloration.
It is easy to create lots of bass but this need to be accurate just like higher frequencies. Many classical music enthusiast and professionals have chosen PSI Audio because it accurately reproduces instruments all the way down to their lowest frequencies. And they know what the bass should sound like.
2 AVAA will have a significant effect in most rooms.
Depending on the dimension and type of room as well as the result required, between 2 and 4 AVAAs are necessary for most normal size rooms (20 and 80 m2)
For very small rooms a minimum of two AVAAs is still recommended to have a symmetrical effect.
For larger rooms please consult an acoustician or PSI Audio directly.
The most effective position for the AVAA is in a location where the walls contribute most to the room modes that are disturbing in the listening position. In practice it is very easy to position the AVAA effectively after a few comparative trials.
The starting position is in corners behind the source speakers as this is the most effective position in a majority of cases. However, depending on the structure of the room boundaries and listening position, other AVAA locations might turn out to be more effective. Try positioning them in different corner or against walls and evaluate effectiveness.
In practice it is quick and easy finding the best location by following the basic rules:
- AVAAs positioned in corners are more effective
- AVAAs located against rigid walls are more effective
Bear in mind that the AVAA is designed to absorb long wavelengths and therefore there is little very little to gain by positioning the AVAA with great precision.
The AVAA will work in all rooms and do its job in all rooms.
However the effect will be dramatic on room modes below 150 Hz and when positioned in the high pressure areas of the room modes (typically in most rigid corners).
If you have long ringing and disturbing room modes the AVAA will significantly reduce the decay time of these modes and thus cleaning up the higher frequencies too.
P S I stands for Precision Sound Image.
Because you can literally see what you hear.
First of all our approach is scientific and defines the role of a loudspeaker as being to transform and electric signal into an acoustic signal as accurately as possible. The loudspeaker manufacture should not make the sound and should respect the artist and sound engineer’s or designer’s work. A loudspeaker should be able to reproduce in in detail to allow the listener to live the same emotions.
Then the entire design of all the electronics, driver and cabinet is done with this in mind and with the most sophisticated measurement instruments as well as a large panel of listeners in different environments.
Our loudspeakers are built to last for a lifetime at least and we are proud.
Many other characteristics are unique such as:
- 100% analogue in to out
- Phase accurate
- Entirely handmade in Switzerland, come and visit us!
- Individually calibrated in our large anechoic room
- Built to last for a life time
The result of this is that the stereo image as well as the transient response is incomparable. The calibrated frequency response allows to recognise the exact instruments or sound source.
As a result, professionals to work faster, better and with more confidence and hifi enthusiasts hear all the details of their music.
Our monitors are all calibrated to be as accurate as possible. In 2015 we upgraded the woofer baskets on the A21-M and A17-M to a cast aluminum basket for solidity reason. The basket is stringer but there is no difference to the driver itself nor to the sound.
The components we use don’t vary over time and the settling time is of a few seconds only. So in normal use conditions the burn-in is not necessary.
Yes PSI Audio products will work in all countries.
It is important however that the voltage is set to match the voltage of the mains (i.e. 230 V or 115 V). This is normally done by the importer who will make sure the products are set up for the local network.
The procedure is explained in our manual:
“Check that the voltage value on the AC power selector is set correctly (according to your local AC power supply). If this is not the case, it will be necessary to adjust the main power supply with the following procedure. Carefully squeeze the two latches on either side of the fuse plug and pull the fuse holder out of its socket. Now replace the fuse for the different voltage setting with the correct value fuse according to the required voltage. The correct value of the fuse is printed next to the OnOff switch of your loudspeaker. Pull out the grey plastic cap which holds the fuse and turn it 180° so it shows the correct voltage setting through the outer window when placed back in its position. Now you can carefully push the complete fuse holder back into its place above the mains connector”
We are more sensitive to directivity on the horizontal plane that on the vertical plane. Also dispersion is wider left-right of the monitor than top-bottom.
Therefore in theory it is best to have the drivers of a loudspeaker in vertical position as the sweet spot will be larger.
In practice many users position their monitors horizontally and provided you listen to them at an adequate distance this is not a problem. And sometime the horizontal position suite the room better.
AVAA is available in black or white.