RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna and Immanis

[Aleksandar R.]

Dear All,

I am very glad to announce the formation of the new brand of true-ribbon headphones, RAAL 1995.

The new brand stands on the shoulders of RAAL Advanced Loudspeakers, the brand that I have founded for manufacturing tweeters and RAAL-requisite, the brand that I have co-founded with Danny McKinney of Requisite Audio Engineering and Standel fame, for manufacturing of headphones.

RAAL 1995 will, at first, focus to headphones and later to loudspeakers, with aim to push the limits of True-Ribbon technology in different applications.

I'll start from the beginning, with an intro to the technology that we use:

Over the decades past, all kind of rectangular-diaphragm drivers were called ribbons, but that's not really what they were.
Most of the time, they were mass-produced planars in a long(ish) form factor. A really good True-Ribbons can not be mass produced and need ancillary components to work, but they carried the fame, so the need to rub-off on some of that fame by twisting the names was pronounced in audio marketing.

We follow the specifics of the tech, as I believe that this is the best loudspeaker technology that has ever existed.

Here's a short pictograph of what are the differences between True-Ribbons vs Planars (regardless of their form-factor):

So, no matter what you do to a planar, unless you make it long, narrow, place the magnets at the sides of it, clamp it only at top and bottom, regardless of it's resistance, or percentage of plastic foil area covered with conducting layer, it won't become a ribbon.
The exception are quasi-ribbons, like Apogee Acoustics used to make, that are ribbons, but using a plastic substrate foil to carry the conducting layer that is etched to form many traces connected in series, for increasing the resistance.

A True-Ribbon is only pure metal foil, with no plastic substrate, hanging in magnetic field. They are exactly what is used in ribbon microphones, only reinforced to work as speakers, but the purity of it's acoustical vicinity (the stuff placed around the sound-radiating element) remains.
This is what I was developing for the past 29 years and together with Danny McKinney, 5 years ago, introduced the True-Ribbons as a new headphone technology.

After showing the technology, more about the new headphones later...

 

[Hiker816]

That's a very helpful diagram and explanation--thanks!

 

[Aleksandar R.]

There are two models of RAAL 1995 headphones, Magna (R² driver) and Immanis (R³ driver).

They are both Circum-aural, Open-Back, Vented Front Chamber headphones.

In short, Magna is the original next-gen ribbon headphone that will showcase the new level of performance, not just in comparison to RAAL-requisite headphones, but compared to all other technologies. A proper TOTL headphone, no ifs no buts, if I may say so.
Immanis adds more of everything to that, showing that limits can be pushed even further...

New level of performance comes with the new look, that is there to emphasize the refinements in sound quality.

Under the hood, everything is new. This is the next generation or ribbon drivers that in certain areas parted ways with the old, but inherited the best features of the previous ones.
We now have our new R² and R³ drivers that exploit a new idea that small differences in ribbon segments are beneficial. We tune the segments slightly differently, so they can't repeat errors in the same way. We call it complimentary tuning.

Being a True-Ribbon technology, they need ancillary components to work (similar to e-stats that need polarizing voltage provider and high-voltage swing).

They are a "system" formed by a Headphone driver, an impedance converting transformer and the cable that connects them together and their requirements and specifications are closely tied together.

Alternatively, the "system" can be broken apart and headphone drivers can be driven directly, without the need for impedance conversion, by specially made amplifiers for ribbon headphones (HSA and VM), in which case, headphone cable specs are far less stringent.

Here are the (preliminary) specs:

More in a few days...

 

[ThanatosVI]

Good stuff to come. Excited for the reveals.
Is the Interface also new or will the headphones come with the same Interface that the Raal Requisite pendants use?

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Good stuff to come. Excited for the reveals.
Is the Interface also new or will the headphones come with the same Interface that the Raal Requisite pendants use?

New. Works as a headphone stand.

 

[ThanatosVI]

New. Works as a headphone stand.

I like the idea, that's cool

 

[yyzSB]

Just a clarification, does the TI-1b work with the new phones. The new interface refers to the headphone stand with the included interface?

 

[ufospls2]

Thanks for sharing more info @Aleksandar R.

Do the Magna and Immanis share the same look and form exactly? With the difference being two vs three driver configuration? Or are they different in other ways also (cosmetics etc..)

 

[SageM]

Just a clarification, does the TI-1b work with the new phones. The new interface refers to the headphone stand with the included interface?

Yes, TI-1b & TI-1c work with the Magna and Immanis. The Star-8 also works for this application.

 

[Arathorrn]

Hi does the TI 1a also work as well?

 

[nfandi]

Thanks for sharing more info @Aleksandar R.

Do the Magna and Immanis share the same look and form exactly? With the difference being two vs three driver configuration? Or are they different in other ways also (cosmetics etc..)

ufo, the technical data sheets above show a few differences e.g. Magna ear pad is smaller, Immanis grill is gold-plated Magna is not, Immanis is heavier etc.

 

[SageM]

Hi does the TI 1a also work as well?

TI-1a is electronically identical to TI-1b. The only difference being the case, TI-1a having a metal case with input on the rear.
Our original Resistor Interface, used with SR-1a, will not interface with Magna or Immanis.

Just a clarification, does the TI-1b work with the new phones. The new interface refers to the headphone stand with the included interface?

Yes. The new interface, like TI-1b, is a transformer interface which has a form factor that allows for a headphone saddle giving it added functionality. Stylistically, it is a better match to Magna and Immanis. Other than those differences, TI-1b or TI-1c both work well.

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Thanks for sharing more info @Aleksandar R.

Do the Magna and Immanis share the same look and form exactly? With the difference being two vs three driver configuration? Or are they different in other ways also (cosmetics etc..)

They are different in size and design details.
Magna is 100mm in dia., Immanis 110mm in dia.

They are of the same general visual design, but different in details of the headspring design, headband stitching, headband click-stop buckles, grille design and plating.
Immanis package also comes with a STAR-8 cable.


R² driver has almost 29% greater surface area than CA-1 driver, or the same s.a. as SR-1 driver.
R³ driver has almost double the surface area of the CA-1 driver, or 1.45x the SR-1 surface area.
The differences in R³ driver compared to R² driver, are 50% greater surface area, 2.5dB higher sensitivity, larger front chamber (ear/driver).

 

[foefoe]

New. Works as a headphone stand.

Are you planning to produce that interface/stand only with TI-1b on board or also with TI-1c?

 

[Aleksandar R.]

Are you planning to produce that interface/stand only with TI-1b on board or also with TI-1c?

The 32 Ohm version comes as standard, and by order we can make 16 or 8 Ohms.
The new RCD Interface will not come with two selectable impedances, but only one, whichever someone wishes to choose.

The reasons for a single impedance on offer are that we're not chasing power so much any more and compatibility with all decent headphone amps.

Here's the comparison to SR's, driven by 32 RCD Interface, on SAEQ Hyperion Ge:

For the same perceived broadband SPL as SR's (with OB Compensation):

In dB:
CA's with Coffee Bean pads needs 1 click down (-2dB)
Magna needs 2 clicks down (-4dB)
Immanis needs 3 clicks down (-6dB).

In terms of power percentage (if SR's use 100% of power):

in % of power:
CA's need 63%
Magna needs 40%
Immanis needs 25%

In Watts, if the SR's needed, say...6W, for the same perceived broadband SPL:

In Watts:
CA's need 3.8W
Magna needs 2.4W
Immanis needs 1.5 W

Basically, if you have a SET amp of 6W at 8 Ohms, it will produce 1.5W at 32 ohms and Immanis will give you the same SPL as SR's with TI-1c at 8 Ohm input.
However, having 32 Ohms will be compatible to any decent headphone amp out there and 8 Ohms will not.

If we're talking 6-ish Watt SET amps, the new and upcoming Auris Audio Headonia 10th Anniversary 300B has output transformers that provide full power at 25, 50, 100, 150, 300 and 600 Ohms. There are transformer outputs for each of those load impedances, not one-winding-for-all, so full power is available at any impedance, and no problem there.