Sound and Vision Show, Bristol. Feb 2011. Neat Acoustics announced that the second model in the Ultimatum XL range, the Ultimatum XLS, would be shipping from April 2011.
The Ultimatum XLS is a stand mounting loudspeaker of compact proportions, delivering the bass weight, scale and dynamics of a significantly sized floorstander. The mid/bass drivers in the XLS are mounted isobarically which when aligned correctly, as in the XLS, gives deep clean bass delivery. Combining this authority with the superb sounding Sonomex domed XL high-frequency unit is the art of the Ultimatum range.
Of course, if it were easy everyone would be doing it. Loudspeaker design is an art form as much as a science: combining drive units, cabinets, materials all together to produce a result that far exceeds the sum of its parts is unusual and worth a serious listen. Something that takes that and sprinkles in the magic of delivering the inner soul of the music is definitely worth a serious longer listen.
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The XLS cabinet is constructed from slow-growing birch ply chosen, as it is consistent and has the best resonance behaviour. The front baffle is from precision routed controlled density fibreboard coupled to the front of the cabinet by means of a polyethylene membrane. This makes an extremely inert platform for the mid/bass and high frequency drivers.
The main Mid/Bass driver is a special version of the Neat 168mm driver with an aluminium phase plug to aid dispersion and reduce dynamic compression.
A sealed sub-volume contains the main HF drive unit a modified SEAS XL SONOMEX domed XL unit with additional damping and support.
A separate sub-volume contains two EMIT type supertweeter drive units. Those used in the Ultimatum series extend to 40kHz fire upwards and operate quietly. Their output, though inaudible to the human ear, affects the content within the audible frequency range and lends an open, airy quality to the presentation.
The crossover is a minimalist four-element type (plus damping & attenuating resistors) employing precise-tolerance, low-loss air-cored inductors and high tolerance polypropylene film & foil capacitors. The speaker exploits predominantly first-order crossover slopes and mechanical roll-offs for a natural, uninhibited performance.
Specifications
HF Unit 26mm SONOMEX Domed XL
Super HF Units 2* EMIT 25mm planar/ribbon
Bass / Midrange Driver 2* 168mm NEAT Bass/Mid Unit with Aluminium Phase Plug
Dimensions (hwd): 38 x 22 x 37cm.
Enclosure type: Multi-chamber, multi-driver array, incorporating isobaric internal cavity, plus upward firing super-tweeters.
Sensitivity: 87db/1 watt.
Recommended amplifier power: 25 – 200 watts.
Impedance: 6 ohms average. Minimum 4 ohms.
Weight: 15Kg. each.
Finishes
Neat Ultimatum standard finishes.
| Rose Nut |
Black Ash |
Walnut | Oak | Figured Birch |
Neat Ultimatum premium (high gloss) finishes.
| Velvet Cloud | Red Velvet Cloud | Piano Black |
