German Physiks – The Emperor MK II Loudspeaker

1. Exceptionally coherent and natural sound

This is due to the DDD driver’s 7 octave plus operating range. This is very difficult to achieve when such a wide range is split over two or more different types of driver, which are in different positions on the loudspeaker’s cabinet.

This wide operating range also eliminates the crossover point in the mid-range that loudspeakers using pistonic drivers must have. This is where our hearing is most sensitive, so removing anything that might cause level or phase errors from here will improve transparency.

2. Realistic stereo images more like those you experience in the concert hall

This is because the DDD driver’s omnidirectional radiation characteristic creates an enveloping sound field like that in the hall, rather than beaming the sound at you as conventional drivers do. This way the PQS-302 is able to recreate a more natural rendition of the original stereo image. This has excellent depth and focus, but without the overly sharp image definition that some hi-fi loudspeakers produce and which you will rarely if ever hear at a live performance.

3. Stereo imaging enjoyable in almost all positions in the room

This is achieved whilst also maintaining an even tonal balance, much like at a live performance: again due to the DDD driver’s omnidirectional radiation pattern. This gives more flexibility in where you sit and allows several people to enjoy a good sound together. This is useful in home theatre systems.

As you are not restricted to a small “sweet-spot” in order to hear the best sound, the PQS-302 provides a more relaxed listening experience. This is especially noticeable when you listen for long periods.

4. Exceptional dynamics

The DDD driver’s very low moving mass, less than 3 grams, allows German Physiks loudspeakers to recreate both the attack of the music and resolve low level detail very accurately. This is essential in order to faithfully reproduce the delicate nuances of a performance and make it sound like music, rather than just good hi-fi. The resultant transparency is maintained even on complex high-level passages.

5. Accurate portrayal of musical instruments’ tonal characteristics

This is because the DDD driver is phase linear across its operating range. This together with the excellent dynamic response, enables the PQS-302 to reproduce percussion with startling reality. Voices have a clarity and purity that can be breath taking, with all the elements of the vocal sound correctly located in space and with no undue emphasis. The hardness you often hear with conventional tweeters is eliminated and you get a greater sense of hearing a live musician.

6. Quick and easy to set up

As they are omnidirectional, German Physiks loudspeakers are less sensitive to room position than conventional designs and there is no toe-in adjustment to worry about.

7. The DDD driver is less likely to excite cabinet vibrations

Due to its very low moving mass and the way that it is mounted, the DDD driver puts less energy into the cabinet than an equivalent conventional driver. This reduces cabinet resonances and improves transparency.

8. Physically extremely rugged

The DDD driver can withstand abuse that will destroy most other drivers. Thisis illustrated in the video below. We don’t advise our customers to try this, just in case they are having an unlucky day.

High quality German Physiks Emperor Extreme digital electronic crossover

The Emperor MK II is now supplied with the new German Physiks Emperor Extreme digital electronic crossover. This is a high quality unit constructed using premium components and it is housed in a precision machined steel and aluminium chassis. It allows for active tri-amp operation of the Emperor. This is where three separate power amplifiers drive each loudspeaker. Each amplifier is connected directly to its driver section, as a passive crossover is no longer needed. This gives much better damping and control of the drivers and also provides a noticeable improvement in transparency. The table below shows the recommended amplifier rating for each section of the loudspeaker.

Section	Minimum Power
DDD drivers	200W/4 ohms
Woofers	200W/4 ohms
Sub-woofer	250W/4 ohms

Emperor Extreme Crossover:

Implementing the crossover function in the digital domain provides the following advantages over a conventional passive crossover

1. The crossover filter characteristics can be much more accurately defined.

2. The possibility of a difficult low frequency load that can occur with some passive crossover designs and which can cause some amplifiers to clip is eliminated. Needless to say the passive crossovers in German Physiks loudspeakers are well behaved in this respect.

3. It eliminates the changes in crossover characteristic that can occur with a passive crossover if the loudspeaker is played at high levels for long periods and the component values drift due to heating.

4. The resistive elements in a passive crossover that dissipate power are eliminated, increasing efficiency.

Easy to use

The crossover is preconfigured at the factory allowing the customer to use it straight away, without needing to make any further adjustments. The customer can manually adjust the settings if they wish.

The system allows a number of crossover set-ups to be stored and quickly recalled. This makes it easy to experiment with new settings, safe in the knowledge that the original settings can easily be restored.

For a big loudspeaker the Emperor Mk II is surprisingly easy to move and set-up

Easy to Move

A common problem with very large loudspeakers is that their heavy weight makes them hard to move and therefore it becomes difficult to find the perfect setting position. The Emperor MK II can be ordered with 15 ball-type casters fitted in the base plate, allowing it to be easily moved. Each caster consists of a precision-formed nylon ball, set in a steel housing. These are fixed into deep recesses in the base plate, making them invisible once the loudspeaker has been assembled. The heavy weight of the Emperor MK II – 425kg – ensures that the casters provide a stable platform for the loudspeaker.

Adjustable DDD Driver Array

Fine-tuning of the loudspeaker’s position is achieved by adjusting the distance of the DDD drivers from the listening chair. This is very easy and does not involve having to move the whole loudspeaker. The DDD drivers are mounted on an extendable motorised beam, which may be commanded to move back and forth from the comfort of the listening chair using a wireless remote control, which is provided. This is shown in the animation below. As the DDD drivers are producing everything from 24,000Hz down to 180Hz (and in fact slightly beyond these limits as these are the 0dB points), what you are able to do is effectively the same as being able to move the whole loudspeaker back and forth by remote control. How different positions of the DDD drivers affect the sound are quickly and easily audible. Besides our Gaudi model, no other loudspeaker in the world offers this degree of flexibility.

Wireless Remote Control

The wireless remote control supplied does not depend on conventional batteries for its operation. Instead, a miniature electric generator inside the remote control produces electricity every time the remote is handled and this is stored in an internal rechargeable battery.  This means that the customer less likely to be inconvenienced by the remote control’s batteries being flat.

Expert Set Up Service

For customers who want the ultimate level of set-up, for an extra fee, an engineer from German Physiks will visit the customer’s home to unpack, assemble and set-up the loudspeakers. This is not available in all territories.

Designed for a Lifetime of Listening Pleasure

As you would expect from a German product, the quality of construction and reliability are first class. We design for a minimum life expectancy of 25 years, which is why we have selected highly corrosion resistant V4 grade stainless steel for the DDD driver support pillars, terminal mounting plates and all the screws.

To ensure the long term stability of the bass cabinets, a veneer layer is applied to the inside surfaces. This equalises any stress that might be generated by the outer veneer due to changes in humidity and which could otherwise cause panels to warp.

Meticulous care and attention is paid during the manufacture of the Emperor MK II. Prior to assembly all components and materials are subject to a rigorous inspection. We also carry out detailed inspections at each stage of the manufacturing process. After assembly, the performance of the loudspeaker is measured. Then it is burnt in for at least 12 hours and measured again.  Once the burn process is complete each loudspeaker is given a final detailed physical inspection before being packed.

Product Finishes

The Emperor MK II loudspeaker is available in black or white high-polish polyester; a wide range of high quality veneers in both satin and high gloss lacquer; satin and high gloss automotive paint finishes and carbon fibre.

Finish Options
– Satin Veneer / Paint £239,000
– High Polish Polyester/veneer £260,000
– Carbon Fibre £295,000

Hand Finished For Ultimate Quality

Each set of Emperor MK II cabinets is custom made to the specific requirements of the individual customer. They are hand built and finished in Germany by skilled cabinet makers for the best possible furniture grade finish. Great care and attention is paid from the start of the process, where we go to great lengths to source the highest quality matching veneers, though to the final finishing stages when we apply the lacquer layers, allowing each one as long as is needed to fully harden before it is hand polished and the next layer applied. Rushing this stage can result in problems emerging after the loudspeaker has been with the customer for some time.

Polyester Black*	Polyester White*	Carbon Fibre*	Nextel Black	Mappa Burl*
American Cherry***	Bubinga Cognac***	Bubinga Pommele*	Papple Cluster Cognac*	European Walnut**
Macassar Ebony***	Macassar***	Bubinga***	Walnut Burl*	Walnut Cluster*