13. What are the characteristics of the speaker unit and sound performance?
The SP5 woofer utilizes a diaphragm made of the same material as the B&W 700 series—a 5.25-inch "Gangtingneng" composite fiber diaphragm with a rubber surround, featuring an internal and external dual magnetic circuit design.
The tweeter employs a 1-inch composite silk soft dome with an internal magnetic structure and a low-frequency expansion rear chamber design.
As is well known, the SP3 is a compact yet powerful product positioned to meet users' near-field listening needs. Since its launch, it has been highly acclaimed by a wide range of users. The SP5 features a 5.25-inch woofer, and its speaker enclosure is significantly larger than that of the SP3. It is primarily designed for larger spaces, such as mid- to far-field listening in living rooms, where it can deliver a broader soundstage. When used for desktop gaming or movie watching, it also delivers impactful low-frequency effects.
There are inherent design differences between near-field and far-field speakers. Near-field speakers typically prioritize small drivers with high sensitivity, lighter paper cone mass, and shorter voice coil excursions, resulting in a relatively limited dynamic range. In contrast, far-field speakers focus more on achieving higher sound pressure level transmission, handling greater power input, and delivering larger dynamics with deeper bass extension. The design of such speakers requires more meticulous attention to sound pressure levels, power handling capacity, and distortion control. The SP5 has been engineered with the following aspects in mind:
Surround Design:
Utilizes NBR rubber, known for high compliance and fatigue resistance. Spiral grooves are engineered into the surround to segment and reinforce it, preventing nonlinear distortion caused by excessive compliance during high-dynamic playback.
Voice Coil Design:
Employs a large 30mm long-throw voice coil, rarely found in its class. With a lighter vibrating mass ratio, it not only handles high current and power but also ensures sufficient excursion, delivering ideal dynamic response.
Magnetic Circuit Design:
Features a symmetrical magnetic circuit that provides a magnetic flux density exceeding 1.2T.
Cone Design:
The composite linear fiber cone, proven through testing to possess excellent toughness and strength, has a Young's modulus several times higher than that of paper cones. This ensures the 5.25-inch cone avoids breakup vibration even under high-power drive, with distortion across the reproduced frequency band kept below 1%.
The cone is composed of a blend of carbon fiber, glass fiber, and other composite fibers, offering advantages such as fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and high modulus—making it an ideal material for sound transmission. To achieve satisfying acoustic performance, the cone is treated with a specialized sound-optimizing damping adhesive during production. This preserves sonic transparency, strikes a balance of rigidity and flexibility, delivers sweet vocal tones with rich detail, and ensures exceptionally responsive low-frequency performance.
