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Pure Reference Extreme

Pure Reference Extreme

Overview

Coincident

Pure Reference Extreme

The Extremes use the identical drivers, crossovers, internal wiring, and binding posts as the Pure Reference. The difference between them is that the Extreme physically separates the enclosures for the mids/highs and the woofers.

1. Separation of the enclosures reduces vibrations and enhances cabinet rigidity. The interaction of the woofers with the mids/highs is more effectively isolated. Sonically, this translates to greater purity and transient precision;

2. Monitor-The connection from the midrange to the binding post eschews any wire at all. The crossover inductor is a direct, hardwire connection to the driver and the binding posts.

The Pure Reference, due to its size, requires a 5 ft cable to connect the crossover to the binding posts.
The wire connecting the tweeter to the binding post has been reduced from 5 ft in the PR to 4" in the Extreme. The aural affect is enhanced transparency and immediacy.
The small Monitor enclosure( just large enough to house the 2 drivers) reduces diffraction affects dramatically which results in a more open soundstage with greater focus.
Additionally, the front baffle is sloped which results in perfect time alignment between the drivers.The sonic consequence is disarming realism in reproduction.

3. Woofer- The wider stance (13" vs 9" for the PR) and shorter height ( 33"vs 55" for the PR) results in greater physical stability which reduces micro movement of the enclosure.
Furthermore, the extra width moves the back of the side firing woofers 4" further away from the enclosure wall. This minimizes reflections back to the woofer which slightly reduces non linear cone motion at very high SPLs. The bass of the Extreme has a tad more weight and impact than the Pure Reference.

The Pure Reference Extreme takes the already state of the art performance of the Pure Reference and elevates it to a slightly higher degree. The differences are subtle and requires the highest resolution ancilliary components and musical sources to discern. For the audio perfectionist who values sonics above all else and is not bothered by the requirement of an extra pair of speaker cables, the wider footprint and the less than sleek appearance of the Pure Reference, the Extreme will more than justify its slightly higher price. The Pure Reference will remain available since it still offers practical advantages and a different aesthetic appeal.