The VPE Crystal Dipole is a modification of Nelson Pass’ Slot Loaded Open Baffle (SLOB) design, published in his paper, “The Slot Loaded Open Baffle Project”.  VPE has modified the design to improve acoustics, manufacturability, and to add a Dayton Audio 500W DSP amplifier to power the slot-loaded Eminence 15” woofer.  The acrylic baffle board holds the new Cube Audio F10 Select Full-Range driver which offers high efficiency (90 dB for 1 watt input) and full range performance with flat frequency response.  Unlike older full-range driver designs, the F10 series is never “shouty” but offers unmatched detail and continuity due to the lack of a passive crossover between your amplifier output stage and the driver voice coil.  The F10 can reproduce realistic SPL with as little as 8 watts, (e.g., 300B triode tube capabilities).  The Crystal Dipole’s slot-loaded Eminence 15” woofer extends the F10’s bass response low enough to allow performance competitive with any SOTA loudspeaker in the world.

To allow the F10 to perform to its full potential, the rigidly-mounted plywood baffle board of the original Pass design is replaced with a ½” thick piece of optical quality acrylic sheet with has 4 times the vibration damping of plywood.  Acrylic is twice as dense as plywood but has half the elastic modulus which provides improved mechanical properties.  The acrylic baffle is also isolated from the ¾” plywood support frame with felt dampers to prevent woofer vibration from impacting the Cube Audio F10 Select full-range driver. 

The VPE Crystal Dipole is constructed of Baltic ¾” 12-ply Birch Veneer Plywood and is offered in urethane cabinet paint in any color offered by Sherwin-Williams “Emerald” line.  Bespoke finishes to match your speakers and furniture using veneers in any species of wood, or laminates from Formica or Wilson Art are available at additional costs.  In addition, the ½” acrylic baffle board is offered in clear, translucent gray or bronze, or solid black at no additional cost.

Specifications:
Dimensions: 20” wide by 48” high by 18” deep
Weight: 110 Lb.s
Full-Range Driver: Cube Audio F10 Select – 10 Ohms (1.7 Tesla magnetic field strength)
Loaded Slot Dimensions: 3” tall by 16” wide
Dynamic Woofer: Eminence Kappa Pro-15LF-2 15” Fiber Cone - 8 Ohms and 1200W of Power Handling
Integral DSP Amplifier Module: Dayton Audio SPA500DSP - Class D 500W
DSP Capabilities: Low and High Pass Crossover Filters and 5 Parametric Equalization Bands (Frequency, Amplitude and “Q”)

High Pass Frequency: No Filter Used - Woofer Augments the Full-Range Driver Acoustically from about ~60 Hz and lower
AC Power Compatibility: 120 or 230 VAC
Accessories Provided: Manual, AC Power and USB-A Data Cables, Flat Pink Noise Calibration CD

PRICE: $ 5900.00 per pair + $ 250.00 for Shipping and Handling (UPS Ground Service to CONUS)

$5900.00 per pair

Painted Finish is Standard. Other Finish Options Available at Extra Cost

Shipping and Handling is $250.00 Anywhere in the Continental USA via UPS Ground Service

User Manual for Crystal Dipole