hrklg01
Member of the Trade: Mysphere
AKG K1000 developer
Hello,
In response to the many questions about the upcoming product, MYSPHERE 3.1, we want to start this thread by offering the following answers to questions received.
The idea behind this is to answer questions placed here as quickly as possible. We expect this to be more efficient than the timing of any updates to the homepage or of PM's.
We hope that the whole community will thus appreciate the availability of quickly posted answers to questions posed.
Here are the first main: FAQ’s and answers:
“Where can I take the opportunity to listen to and handle the product?”
· in addition to exhibition at the RFAM in Denver and the CANJAM – Europe in Berlin, we plan to make MYSPHERE 3.1 available for loan to the customers who pre-ordered the product, via the homepage, and send the item as requested. Whilst shipping and logistics costs will be charged, the loan of the item itself will be free of cost for assessment for a one-week --maximum-- period.
Additionally it is planned that selected dealers will have the product available for demonstration in their show rooms. Details will follow this Autumn.
“Please let me have a detailed price list with all selectable options.”
· The price list will be available in Autumn 2017 when product development and testing will be finalized.
“May I get some more technical information?”
· It’s planned to conclude the second beta-testing with selected experienced users first. Final acoustic tuning will follow in response to these inputs.
It is expected that this phase will be finalized end of September this year.
Evolved and refined technical details and specifications will be reflected step by step in homepage updates here: www.mysphere.at
“What is new compared to the old AKG K1000 ?”
The MYSPHERE 3.1 project started with defining the pro’s and con’s of the K1000, to then develop a new unit that would overcome the weaknesses identified in the old design.
The pro’s: Acoustic open design, transparency & spatial Image; No heat or sweat on ear; Acoustical brilliance, clarity; strong transient response.
The con’s: weak bass performance; Insufficient sound pressure / dynamics; Distortions on some program material = R&B; Insufficient comfort in use; Demands powerful additional amplification
Analysis based on P&C’s:
Openness, transparency and strong dynamic performance aided by low effective acoustical mass.
Brilliance is enhanced by the acoustical free field response, designed to work optimally, being in sympathy with the principle and function of transfer of sound through the human ear. Low harmonic distortions (till max. level) aid performance.
The operation of the human ear converts the frequency- and phase response to aid production of spatial information and render a sense of space.
The considerable distance to the human ear entrance relative to the volume of air which needs to be moved must be accounted for to inform production of a potent device. By minimizing this distance to an optimum, both bass performance and maximum sound pressure level are optimized.
High amplification demand is caused by high electrical impedance and low sensitivity.
R&B distortions result from poorly executed manufacturing technology processes and obsolete --for the application-- materials.
The heavy and large design is hard to use / wear.
MYSPHERE’s main differentiators:
A smaller square transducer is placed closer to the ear entrance.
A new combination of coil- and rim design increases sensitivity without increase of harmonic distortion or moving mass.
An optimized state-of-the-art simulated membrane design incorporating a glass-foam reinforced membrane structure enables low resonance frequency and high damping, under a production process that gives stable, reliable results.
Modern glues will be used for fixing fast moving parts, including the membrane and coil, to reduce harmonic and non-harmonic distortion up to peak membrane excursions.
“On ear” design layout will increase the sound pressure and bass level as a consequence of the reduced distance in use which optimises near field pressure on the ear. The design is conceived to provide transducers that levitate still – A “hover ear headphone” might be the best symbolic wording.
Low electrical impedance makes the device fit for use with today’s contemporary transportable sound source gadgets.
A new head fastening bow distributes mechanical pressure on the head over a large area and helps reduce mass away from the centre point of gravity to give enhanced wearing comfort.
Important parts are milled from scratch proof coated aluminium alloy for highest durability.
All acoustic components are designed and made in house with smallest tolerances. (Each product will sound the same as the other).
“Why can we not read your website in other languages in addition to English?”
Of course, there will be other language options as well in the future. But please be patient as the small team must focus on finalizing the project first towards ramping up a well-managed initial production.
“What if I live far away and how to get the product safe with no risk?”
The team at MYSPHERE will use professional forwarding agents and propose delivering DDP according to international terms. (Delivery Duty Paid). Of course, this service would affect the final price as well.
“Can MYSPHERE 3.1 provide full and high bass level?”
It will not be a “bass-monster” of course! But it can easily compete with most high-end headphones in this aspect of performance as well. Furthermore, the bass sounds very clear and without boom as no front pressure volume is present around the ear.
Exceptional air flow and pressure in free field is produced by the 40x40mm diameter membrane which offers a 4mm peak to peak movement.
“Will MYSPHERE support symmetric connection?”
The product can be connected via both sides (left or/and right) with no alteration of sound quality. In either case, symmetrical or asymmetrical connection to the amplifier with the same wiring length will be enabled (patent pending).
“Which amp match will optimize use of the product?”
MYSPHERE 3.1 is not unduly affected by the amplifier load due to its high sensitivity. However, specific to the design concept is the strong coupling between coil and magnet system, which gives an impedance increase at fundamental resonance.
This requires an amplifier with low internal resistance to sufficiently restrain membrane excursion at low frequencies.
This poses no issue for almost all solid-state amps, but may pose difficulty if connected to tube amps using OTL mode. We suggest avoiding such amplifier types for use in this mode with this product. A MYSPHERE variant offering a higher voice coil impedance will be announced in the future, according to demand.
“Can I participate and become beta tester?”
As beta testing has already begun, in early 2017, a critical issue is to use the same testers for consistency throughout the R&D phase. This will allow a more reliable identification of improvements in response. For these reasons we do not need new tester assistance at this time.
“Why will MYSPHERE 3.1 use a 3.5mm plug to make the signal connection”
Many people in the community were consulted to identify the most suitable connector for the cable. It turned out that alternatives are either too large and heavy or unreliable.
The specific 3.5mm 4-pole connector used is made by a highly reliable source using best connection material surfaces. Further, just to remind that in many cases, similar connectors do the same job as well at the other end of the cable.
The MYSPHERE team will be pleased to receive suggestions for a better suitable connector for a future update.
“When will the MYSPHERE 3.1 become available?”
MYSPHERE 3.1 will be presented for the first time in October 2017 during the RMAF in room # 6007 in Denver. The device will be available for online ordering after this event. Please note that production capacity is limited and for this reason, you may wish to use the reserve button on the homepage to minimize the order and delivery period.
Thank you for your help and questions in advance, yours,
Heinz Renner
In response to the many questions about the upcoming product, MYSPHERE 3.1, we want to start this thread by offering the following answers to questions received.
The idea behind this is to answer questions placed here as quickly as possible. We expect this to be more efficient than the timing of any updates to the homepage or of PM's.
We hope that the whole community will thus appreciate the availability of quickly posted answers to questions posed.
Here are the first main: FAQ’s and answers:
“Where can I take the opportunity to listen to and handle the product?”
· in addition to exhibition at the RFAM in Denver and the CANJAM – Europe in Berlin, we plan to make MYSPHERE 3.1 available for loan to the customers who pre-ordered the product, via the homepage, and send the item as requested. Whilst shipping and logistics costs will be charged, the loan of the item itself will be free of cost for assessment for a one-week --maximum-- period.
Additionally it is planned that selected dealers will have the product available for demonstration in their show rooms. Details will follow this Autumn.
“Please let me have a detailed price list with all selectable options.”
· The price list will be available in Autumn 2017 when product development and testing will be finalized.
“May I get some more technical information?”
· It’s planned to conclude the second beta-testing with selected experienced users first. Final acoustic tuning will follow in response to these inputs.
It is expected that this phase will be finalized end of September this year.
Evolved and refined technical details and specifications will be reflected step by step in homepage updates here: www.mysphere.at
“What is new compared to the old AKG K1000 ?”
The MYSPHERE 3.1 project started with defining the pro’s and con’s of the K1000, to then develop a new unit that would overcome the weaknesses identified in the old design.
The pro’s: Acoustic open design, transparency & spatial Image; No heat or sweat on ear; Acoustical brilliance, clarity; strong transient response.
The con’s: weak bass performance; Insufficient sound pressure / dynamics; Distortions on some program material = R&B; Insufficient comfort in use; Demands powerful additional amplification
Analysis based on P&C’s:
Openness, transparency and strong dynamic performance aided by low effective acoustical mass.
Brilliance is enhanced by the acoustical free field response, designed to work optimally, being in sympathy with the principle and function of transfer of sound through the human ear. Low harmonic distortions (till max. level) aid performance.
The operation of the human ear converts the frequency- and phase response to aid production of spatial information and render a sense of space.
The considerable distance to the human ear entrance relative to the volume of air which needs to be moved must be accounted for to inform production of a potent device. By minimizing this distance to an optimum, both bass performance and maximum sound pressure level are optimized.
High amplification demand is caused by high electrical impedance and low sensitivity.
R&B distortions result from poorly executed manufacturing technology processes and obsolete --for the application-- materials.
The heavy and large design is hard to use / wear.
MYSPHERE’s main differentiators:
A smaller square transducer is placed closer to the ear entrance.
A new combination of coil- and rim design increases sensitivity without increase of harmonic distortion or moving mass.
An optimized state-of-the-art simulated membrane design incorporating a glass-foam reinforced membrane structure enables low resonance frequency and high damping, under a production process that gives stable, reliable results.
Modern glues will be used for fixing fast moving parts, including the membrane and coil, to reduce harmonic and non-harmonic distortion up to peak membrane excursions.
“On ear” design layout will increase the sound pressure and bass level as a consequence of the reduced distance in use which optimises near field pressure on the ear. The design is conceived to provide transducers that levitate still – A “hover ear headphone” might be the best symbolic wording.
Low electrical impedance makes the device fit for use with today’s contemporary transportable sound source gadgets.
A new head fastening bow distributes mechanical pressure on the head over a large area and helps reduce mass away from the centre point of gravity to give enhanced wearing comfort.
Important parts are milled from scratch proof coated aluminium alloy for highest durability.
All acoustic components are designed and made in house with smallest tolerances. (Each product will sound the same as the other).
“Why can we not read your website in other languages in addition to English?”
Of course, there will be other language options as well in the future. But please be patient as the small team must focus on finalizing the project first towards ramping up a well-managed initial production.
“What if I live far away and how to get the product safe with no risk?”
The team at MYSPHERE will use professional forwarding agents and propose delivering DDP according to international terms. (Delivery Duty Paid). Of course, this service would affect the final price as well.
“Can MYSPHERE 3.1 provide full and high bass level?”
It will not be a “bass-monster” of course! But it can easily compete with most high-end headphones in this aspect of performance as well. Furthermore, the bass sounds very clear and without boom as no front pressure volume is present around the ear.
Exceptional air flow and pressure in free field is produced by the 40x40mm diameter membrane which offers a 4mm peak to peak movement.
“Will MYSPHERE support symmetric connection?”
The product can be connected via both sides (left or/and right) with no alteration of sound quality. In either case, symmetrical or asymmetrical connection to the amplifier with the same wiring length will be enabled (patent pending).
“Which amp match will optimize use of the product?”
MYSPHERE 3.1 is not unduly affected by the amplifier load due to its high sensitivity. However, specific to the design concept is the strong coupling between coil and magnet system, which gives an impedance increase at fundamental resonance.
This requires an amplifier with low internal resistance to sufficiently restrain membrane excursion at low frequencies.
This poses no issue for almost all solid-state amps, but may pose difficulty if connected to tube amps using OTL mode. We suggest avoiding such amplifier types for use in this mode with this product. A MYSPHERE variant offering a higher voice coil impedance will be announced in the future, according to demand.
“Can I participate and become beta tester?”
As beta testing has already begun, in early 2017, a critical issue is to use the same testers for consistency throughout the R&D phase. This will allow a more reliable identification of improvements in response. For these reasons we do not need new tester assistance at this time.
“Why will MYSPHERE 3.1 use a 3.5mm plug to make the signal connection”
Many people in the community were consulted to identify the most suitable connector for the cable. It turned out that alternatives are either too large and heavy or unreliable.
The specific 3.5mm 4-pole connector used is made by a highly reliable source using best connection material surfaces. Further, just to remind that in many cases, similar connectors do the same job as well at the other end of the cable.
The MYSPHERE team will be pleased to receive suggestions for a better suitable connector for a future update.
“When will the MYSPHERE 3.1 become available?”
MYSPHERE 3.1 will be presented for the first time in October 2017 during the RMAF in room # 6007 in Denver. The device will be available for online ordering after this event. Please note that production capacity is limited and for this reason, you may wish to use the reserve button on the homepage to minimize the order and delivery period.
Thank you for your help and questions in advance, yours,
Heinz Renner
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