ESB Audio 3.6K2X speakers

2-way component speakers ESB 3.6K2X

The ESB 3000 (Tremila) speaker system was developed and assembled with extraordinary emphasis on materials research and top-level technical solutions. The goal was to create speakers with maximum mechanical stability, high efficiency and a natural, high-quality sound suitable even for demanding SQ installations. The midbass drivers use paper cones with a waterproof treatment, which represent the ideal combination of lightness, stiffness and the ability to naturally damp unwanted vibrations. The tweeters with a lightweight silk dome provide smooth, delicate and detailed highs without harshness. ABS plastic baskets reinforced with fiberglass offer high torsional stiffness, suppression of self-resonances and precise guidance of the voice coil, which directly translates into sound clarity and control. The 3.6K2X set includes midbass and tweeter drivers and 12 dB crossovers intended for the tweeters. Thanks to their high real sensitivity, the speakers are suitable for connection to high-quality factory or aftermarket head units, though their full potential is revealed when used with an external amplifier.

Paper midbass cone

It is widely accepted that paper cones offer the ideal combination of lightness, stiffness and the cone’s ability to damp any unwanted vibration, i.e., distortion. The ESB paper cone, long praised for its excellent sonic properties, is waterproof thanks to a polymer developed exclusively by ESB. This treatment does not negatively affect the appearance or parameters of the driver, unlike glossy polymer coatings used by other manufacturers that add a significant amount of mass to the cone and markedly change its sonic character. The applied treatment protects the cone from dripping water, for example inside a door panel, and also from accidental splashes to the cone’s front surface.

Basket and ventilation system

The speaker basket is made of ABS plastic reinforced with fiberglass and was designed to achieve maximum torsional stiffness (resistance to bending) while offering minimal resistance to the air expelled by the cone from its rear side. This is clearly visible from the numerous reinforcements and ribs in the structure. The basket plays a crucial role in accurately guiding the voice coil in the magnetic circuit, and its stiffness is therefore a key parameter. Equally important is the damping of this component, because metal baskets often tend to resonate, which significantly affects the final sound quality of the driver. The material used is not only less sensitive to temperature changes but is also non-flammable and completely free of self-resonances. The ABS frame also allows a higher and more even clamping torque than common stamped steel baskets and ensures that the voice coil remains precisely centered in the magnetic field.

Suspension

The single-wave suspension made of highly damping Perbunan® rubber is significantly more stable under temperature changes than common rubber materials. Its operating range extends from −20 °F to +100 °F while retaining almost constant elasticity. The suspension profile performs a dual function – it ensures high damping while providing excellent transverse stability. As a result, the cone is limited exclusively to vertical movement, eliminating transverse excursions that could cause the voice coil to contact the magnetic circuit. This allows the speakers to operate safely even at high power and large excursions.

Spider

ESB’s research department devoted considerable effort to developing the ideal spider shape. This critical component must ensure perfectly linear cone movement at both low and high power while limiting excursion before motion becomes uncontrollable. The material used is a specially balanced cotton impregnated with phenolic resin, which ensures perfectly symmetrical cone movement from the first milliwatts of power and then gradually damps it as Xmax is approached. The construction of this component also enables effective ventilation of the voice coil, dissipates heat from the underside of the driver and prevents the build-up of back pressure caused by cone movement.

Magnetic motor

The voice coils of the midbass drivers use an aluminum former and a winding with a two-layer technology of copper-clad aluminum wire. The long-throw design was chosen to increase sensitivity and efficiency while maintaining minimal distortion. All midbass drivers are equipped with a magnetic motor featuring a Y-35 class ferrite magnet, which offers significantly higher performance than common standard magnets. The metal parts of the motor are made of low-carbon steel and were designed to achieve maximum magnetic saturation, which guarantees excellent electroacoustic parameters.

Tweeters

ESB 3.25 tweeters use a thin textile dome impregnated with silk, which delivers a delicate and smooth sonic character. The outer dome surround is coated with a material that has high internal damping to eliminate edge vibrations and resonances. Thanks to extremely low mass, the dome is considerably less prone to mechanical deformation than other types of tweeters and provides a smooth, linear and very wide frequency response. The 25 mm voice coil uses an aluminum former and very lightweight aluminum wire plated with copper. The coil is effectively ventilated and damped with a ferrofluid that improves cooling and stability under higher loads. The special SVS ventilation system not only ensures optimal cooling of the voice coil but also prevents air compression behind the dome, which positively affects linearity and clarity of reproduction. The tweeter’s magnetic circuit uses an N42 class neodymium magnet, which offers significantly higher performance than common standard magnets. The entire system was optimized using computer simulations to achieve higher efficiency and better linearity.

About the ESB Audio brand

The history of ESB Audio dates back to 1972, when this Italian brand was officially founded. ESB Audio ranks among the most famous speaker manufacturers of the second half of the 20th century and over its rich history introduced many innovative technologies and high-end home audio products that achieved worldwide success. Based on their accumulated experience, in 1984 ESB engineers began research aimed at optimizing sound in the automotive environment and two years later started production of their first car speakers. Car audio became a phenomenon of the time, and in 2005 a school dedicated exclusively to vehicle sound systems was established in Aprilia, where ESB is based. It was then decided to leave the world of home audio and focus exclusively on vehicle audio. Today ESB, together with the originally American amplifier and DSP manufacturer Zapco, falls under the Italian company Arpa. The brand’s main mission now is the development of the highest-quality speakers with an emphasis on faithful, natural and detailed sound reproduction, aiming to convey music exactly as the artist intended—true to the company slogan "Just like live".

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