B&W P4 Floor standing speakers
B&W P4 is a British two-way speaker system, the sound field of which is organized by a pair of drivers: a tweeter with a 26-mm metal dome on a neodymium alloy magnet (NdFeB) and a 165-mm driver with a conical Kevlar fiber cone. The remarkable properties of Kevlar allowed the designers to use first-order filters for "soft" sub-band separation at 3.5 kHz. The internal volume of the speaker is divided diagonally by a panel into two communicating parts. This creates a channel with a variable cross section and its output can be seen in the middle of the faceplate. This acoustic layout allows the accumulation of low frequency energy in both the traditional focused resonance way (bass-reflex) and the 1/4-wave resonance way (transmission line). In addition, the presence of an inclined surface, along with the use of a selective absorber in the input part of the channel, contributes to the attenuation of parasitic high-frequency resonances, and the reduction of the section to the output, along with the absence of any absorber in the output part of the channel - the concentration of useful kinetic energy in the port area. The system allows separate connection of sub-bands by means of two pairs of gold-plated terminals. Parameters of the input impedance module characteristic: the average value is 13.7 ohms, the nominal value is 5.2 ohms, the standard deviation is ±9.9 ohms, the maximum (1.3 kHz) is 37.7 ohms. Because of the significant impedance fluctuations and relatively low sensitivity, it is desirable for the amplifier to have a power reserve (the recommended range is 30-100 watts). The uniformity of the loudspeaker field in the horizontal plane is high. Speakers lined with natural wood veneer looks great. The quality of the finish allows you to unmistakably classify the P4 as a high-class loudspeaker. Speaker dimensions are 200x810x256 mm.
One of the most valuable qualities of the sound image created is its organic integrity and completeness with meticulous attention to detail. Do not underestimate this quality, inherent only in systems "high class". It is crucial for the adequate reproduction of classical music, where countless gradations of nuance shade the monumental unity of the image and become its indispensable attribute. The upper pitches are treated very strictly: everything is in place, and nothing is superfluous. This is well felt when playing violin concertos, on which we did not notice any deformation: The high-frequency range of the AFC is flawless. Flute sounds retain all their watercolor, while the listener's attention is not distracted by noise effects, although the schematization of the instrument image was still felt. The appearance of the measured characteristic in the mid-high frequency section does not give any reason to doubt the fairness of what was said, and the section 1-3 kHz can be used for a visual agitation in favor of Kevlar cones. Middle frequencies are displayed correctly as well, allowing you to feel the structure of the sound stream, rumbled by the forces and means of a brass band. Bass is dense enough, although not very deep. You can notice a slight toning in the upper bass area. Stereo pair P4 effectively shapes the space, correctly reproducing the scale of the stage and the hall, convincingly creating the illusion of presence.
