The Smaller Advent loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

I performed a complete set of measurements on the two samples of the Smaller Advent, serial nos. 47877 and 47106, the latter manufactured on October 30, 1972, according to the tweeter chassis. They were very similar, though 47106 was slightly less sensitive than 47877 as measured on the tweeter axis: 84.5dB(B)/2.83V/m vs 85.5dB(B)/2.83V/m. Both figures are 2–3dB below the average for modern speaker designs. The Advent's impedance, however, was not too demanding of current, as can be seen from the impedance graphs for 47877 (fig.1) and 47106 (fig.2). Despite the specification, the impedance remains above 4 ohms at all frequencies.

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Fig.1 The Smaller Advent (SN 47877), electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed). (2 ohms/vertical div.)

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Fig.2 The Smaller Advent (SN 47106), electrical impedance (solid) and phase (dashed). (2 ohms/vertical div.)

The small wrinkles in the impedance traces suggest the presence of cabinet resonances of some kind. The Smaller Advent's enclosure was indeed quite lively, both samples showing a series of strong resonant modes in the midrange (fig.3).

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Fig.3 The Smaller Advent (SN 47106), cumulative spectral-decay plot calculated from the output of an accelerometer fastened to the center of the cabinet's side panel (MLS driving voltage to speaker, 7.55V; measurement bandwidth, 2kHz).

The impedance graphs suggest that the woofers of both samples were tuned to the same frequency, 46Hz, which implies modest bass extension. However, as shown by the frequency-response traces (fig.4), the second-order rolloff of the sealed-box alignment results in more mid- and low bass than would be expected from the woofer tuning frequency: there is useful output down to 30Hz or so. The apparent rise in upper bass will be due in part to the nearfield measurement technique, but the woofer alignment does appear a little underdamped, corresponding to Bob Reina finding the speaker to sound "warm" (though this might also stem from the lively cabinet walls).

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Fig.4 The Smaller Advent, anechoic response on tweeter axis at 50", averaged across 30° horizontal window and corrected for microphone response, with the nearfield response of the woofer, SN 47877 (red), SN 47106 (blue).

Other than the 1dB difference in sensitivity, noticeable in the midrange in fig.4, the two samples of the Smaller Advent are very similar in overall response. The balance is relatively even through the midrange to the low treble, but there are many small peaks and dips apparent. The mid-treble is plateaued down by 3dB, which will tend to make the Advent's treble sound lifeless, as BJR noted in his auditioning comments. This might be offset by the vicious peak apparent at 13kHz, though the speaker's output drops like a rock above that frequency. On pink noise, this top-octave peak was audible as a distinct whistle. I suspect that it correlates with Bob's dissatisfaction with the treble's "grayish, grainy quality."

The response graphs in fig.4 were taken with each Advent's grille in place, which actually provides the baffling for the tweeter. Fig.5 shows that the grille boosts the speaker's output by an average of 3dB in the upper midrange and mid-treble. Unlike modern designs, the Smaller Advent is best auditioned with its grille in place.

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Fig.5 The Smaller Advent, effect of the grille on the tweeter-axis response (5dB/vertical div.).

With its asymmetric and recessed drive-unit placement and its use of a 9.5" woofer and a wide baffle, the Smaller Advent's lateral radiation pattern (fig.6) is perverse, with a lack of off-axis energy in the upper midrange and many ridges apparent in the treble. Above 10kHz, the 2" tweeter's output drops rapidly to the speaker's sides, though as the on-axis response also disappears in the top octave, this might be thought academic. The limited dispersion might ameliorate the effect of that 13kHz peak in-room, though I would also expect the Advent's high treble to lack air. In the vertical plane (fig.7), the Smaller Advent is relatively uncritical of listening axis at high frequencies, though a suckout develops at 1.8kHz (the crossover frequency?) at even small angles above and below the tweeter axis.

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Fig.6 The Smaller Advent, lateral response family at 50", normalized to response on tweeter axis, from back to front: differences in response 90–5° off-axis on woofer side of baffle, reference response, differences in response 5–90° off-axis on tweeter side.

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Fig.7 The Smaller Advent, vertical response family at 50", normalized to response on tweeter axis, from back to front: differences in response 45–5° above axis, reference response, differences in response 5–45° below axis.

The Advent's step response (fig.8) indicates that the two drive-units are connected in the same, positive, acoustic polarity, the tweeter's output leading that of the woofer. The smooth integration of the two drive-units' steps in the time domain correlates with the smooth blend (seen earlier) of the drive-units' responses on the tweeter axis. The picture presented by the Smaller Advent's cumulative spectral-decay plot (fig.9) is less positive. As expected, the response peak at 13kHz is associated with a ridge of delayed energy, but smaller resonant ridges are evident throughout the treble.

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Fig.8 The Smaller Advent (SN 47106), step response on tweeter axis at 50". (5ms time window, 30kHz bandwidth.)

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Fig.9 The Smaller Advent (SN 47877), cumulative spectral-decay plot at 50" (0.15ms risetime).

Some aspects of the Smaller Advent's measured performance were positive. For example, it reminded me of the benefits for bass performance of a well-tuned sealed box, compared with the reflex designs that are now ubiquitous. But despite its relatively even balance through the midrange and low treble, the Advent's tweeter is a total underperformer compared with modern designs, and its cabinet is way too resonant.—John Atkinson

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COMMENTS
dalethorn's picture

I bought the Small Advents when they were introduced, from AudioCraft in Cleveland. I completely believed the advance publicity on the Small Advents, i.e. bass response essentially the same as the original Advent speaker. But although I can't find the pertinent review on the Web right now, I clearly remember a statement in the review by one of the larger-circulation magazines I read back then (Audio, High Fidelity, or Stereo Review): "Response at 30 hz was mostly doubling". It rather shattered my confidence in engineering-speak for some time afterward.

Halford Loudspeakers's picture

I have always wished that this article could have been written about a pair of Smaller Advents that had been properly refoamed rather than having the hatchet job that was perpetrated on them. The proper 9" edge is readily available to all speaker repair professionals and that same person would know how to properly prep, shim, and use the proper adhesives and then reinstall using Mortite as had been originally used. The list of ways that the speaker pictured was improperly done includes, being trimmed down and overlapped, being glued onto the topside of the cone rather than the back side of the lip and being the wrong size roll and compliance. It is a testament to the miraculous engineering of Henry Kloss that this speaker could still impress with all of this mess having happened to it.

scottsol's picture

And yet, pretty much all the noted sonic deficiencies seem to be caused by flaws in the tweeter and cabinet, not the woofer.

fihi's picture

I hear what you are saying but this article is pretty old. I restored a lot of Advents and Smaller Advents (along with a lot of other vintage speakers) in the early-mid 00s and could never find a source for the foam for the Smaller Advents. I see they offer it now and it is possible that a source existed back then but I never found one. I used proper methods and glue etc. but I did have to splice an overlap the foam. Oddly enough of all the Advents, EPIs, KLHs, Boston Acoustics and other classic era speakers I reconditioned back then I kept a pair of Smaller Advents with the “hacky” splice. The rest I passed on to others. These Smaller Advents were the best sounding with my system. When I replace the foam next time I’ll for sure seek out the proper replacements though.

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