A chance encounter with Daniela Manger, CEO and engineer of Manger Audio led me to the exhibit with the company's latest offering: the striking red, p2 floorstander ($15,000/satin matt lacquer - $17,900/Ultra high gloss), whose optimized driver has a stronger motor for faster response and more transient information. The specified frequency range is 30Hz–45kHz. (See Herb Reichert's review of the Manger Audio p1.) This passive speaker was demonstrated with (and without) a standalone external crossover, the SPL Crossover Mk2.
Manger told me that her latest "bending mode" driver, designated W06, has optimized magnetism and a stronger motor to deliver more transient information and faster response. "I've improved control of the diaphragm between one and four kilohertz," Manger said. There is less distortion and more clarity." She estimated the performance improvement at 30%. "My late father, who designed the driver, always told me that there could be an improvement. It took 60 or 70 samples before we got it right. I now have a new understanding of how difficult it was for my father to bring the design to the point it had reached at the time of his death in 2016."
During my brief time in the room, I heard a demo with and without the external crossover. Engaging the crossover seemed to fill out the sound. Tonalities were pure, and attacks were extremely fast.
Electronics were the SPL Diamond DAC (€2699), Elector analog preamp (also €2699), and Performer S900 stereo amplifier. The rack was a beaudioful Regal, and cabling was from German company WSS.
Manger is currently on the lookout for a US distributor.
During my brief time in the room, I heard a demo with and without the external crossover. Engaging the crossover seemed to fill out the sound. Tonalities were pure, and attacks were extremely fast.
Electronics were the SPL Diamond DAC (€2699), Elector analog preamp (also €2699), and Performer S900 stereo amplifier. The rack was a beaudioful Regal, and cabling was from German company WSS.
