A Few Notes on the PandaTM Model 10 Loudspeaker.
This loudspeaker has evolved out of well over twenty five years of my design work with loudspeakers and audio componentry. It carries the pinnacle of all my ideas and innovations that I have developed in audio and also the painful removal of many cherished mindsets. The Enclosure is a true point source alignment ( meaning that the two woofers are located at the quarter volume points of the internal volume of their enclosure ) One tweeter surrounded with two woofers. Consisting of two 9" woofers and a single 1" tweeter and with a first order Butterworth for the Woofer with zoebel network and a full 3rd order Butterworth with L pad for the Tweeter, the simplicity of the speakers belies their exceptional performance.The PandaTM Model 10 Loudspeaker enclosure is 1600mm high, 400mm wide and 702mm deep and 50mm ( min) thick . In imperial measurements that's: 63inches high x 16 inches wide and 28inches deep and 2 inches ( minimum ) thick. The enclosure is locked by both its internal bracing and numerous metal fasteners and high strength glue.
The front panel is of a Monolithic construction ( 65mm thick; nearly 3 inches ) and completely made from Finish Birch Plywood; It sits proud of the other panels and is seamless in all directions minimising diffraction effects . Each speaker box is centred onto its own dedicated plywood wooden plinth which is 600mm wide and 900mm deep and 100mm high ( 24 inches wide x 36 inches deep and 4 inches high ). The internal volume is over 258 litters ( or just over 9 cubic ft ) and each enclosure weighs just over 150Kg ( 300lbs+ ).
Side panels are a 4 layer varying density plywood construction: Inner panel is soft radiata plywood with the second panel being a harder and high density plywood. The tertiary panel is Finish Birch with the outer panel face being a thinner panel of mdf that can be either solid colour or veneered.
Rear panel consists of inner of soft radiate pine and the outer of hardened plywood; total thickness of the rear panels being 64mm.
Internal wiring is OCC Copper for the woofers and a single Fine Silver wire for the tweeters. The use of solder is restricted to attaching the signal wire to the tweeter; no solder is used in the Woofer // Mid circuit.
All crossover connections are terminated in specially designed and manufactured ( by Bocchino Audio ) junction assemblies known as WireGrubsTM( All manufactured from Pure Copper, then Silver plated ).
All transducers are secured onto the Monolith with stainless steel bolts secured into custom made fasteners.
The inductors are wound from pure copper foil and the capacitors are Mundorf Supreme.
The Woofers have a specially designed Transducer Binding post known as WireTailsTM fitted in place of its standard binding post. The woofers are factory modified to accommodate the dedicated designed WireTailTM.Essentially every effort has been made to secure the transducers as firmly as possible into the enclosure. No shorcuts on mechanical structure and integrity. The payoff is exceptional clarity and transparency.
Internal Damping is of a unique ‘air-gap’ buffer design with the majority of the air in the box acting in synergy with the working transducers. Rear Binding posts are M13MkV Monopoles® . These, too, are fabricated from Pure Copper; Silver plated ( No Nickel! Hence no Hall-effect ).
Originally designing loudspeakers for others ( 1983 - 1988 ) I decided to investigate exactly what makes a loudspeaker transducer feel comfortable within its working environment. A few very narrow parameters came out of all this research and seeking loudspeaker transducers with these parameters proved immensely difficult. There are only two such woofer transducers that come close to these parameters. Both are exceptional in their performance but one is better than the other. Only the best went into the Panda’sTM.
Nominally QTS=0.5 and VAS>135 among some of the parameters.
What sets these speakers apart from almost any other loudspeaker is their ability to effortlessly handle a very broad dynamic range while delivering a very involving musical experience. All the metaphors of timbral accuracy and image precision are all exceptional and go without saying. Emotional involvement with the music is very real. A lot of design has gone into ensuring that transient attack is the fastest possible while delivering the maximum energy available from the amplifier with minimal colouration. A greater sense of immediacy than is possible with a fully soldered path. The listener is immersed into the performance space where the music was recorded. Seamless and holographic.
Liquid Tranquility!
Some Specs:
Frequency response: Narrowest deviation: 100Hz - 20KHz +/-2db
Full Spectrum: 20Hz - 20KHz +/-3.5db..
Impedance: Nominal 6.2 Ohms.
Efficiency: >87db @1.0 meter @1watt.
Fs 38Hz.
Overall Q: <0.614.
Enclosure Type: Fully Sealed.
Binding posts: 4 xM13MkV Monopoles® +4 x FM3 Pure Copper Silver plated.
Woofer Binding posts:WireTailsTM W-4 (Custom)Power Handling: 200Watts r.m.s. ( 1000 watts @ 10 milliseconds).
Recommended Amplifier Power: 80 Watts and up to 300 Watts rms.
Minimum Amplifier Power: 30 watts.
Nominal Weight: 240Kg each enclosure ( >525 lbs ).Crossover: Quasi 12db with Zobel on bass // midrange. 18db ( compensated ) on tweeter.
Capacitors: Mundorf Supreme; Inductors: Goertz copper foil 10 gauge; resistors: Various! Wire: OCC Copper; Fastening points: WireGrubsTM.
Upgrades of crossover elements are available: ( Deuland, Foil in oil etc capacitors; Silver foil inductors: POA ).Standard Finish: All panels are textured matte white with matte black edgings. The sides can be veneered. There are innumerable veneers available; please inquire!
Or any plain solid colour.
Where more than one colour or veneer is to be incorporated extra charges apply.The PandaTM Model 10 Loudspeaker’s are all custom built and take from 6 - 9 weeks to fabricate and test prior to dispatch and delivery. The Bocchino Audio direct price per pair is $43,100.00 per pair (US Dollars) with freight inclusive to most destinations!. ( 8 x MECADOS & 8 x FM3 Pure Copper Silver plated are included in this price). The price is essentially a wholesale direct price. The PandaTM Model 10 Loudspeaker is not available wholesale anywhere. The thoroughness of the bare wire design, individual testing of all components and correct electrical and mechanical matching of all elements for the construction of the PandaTM Model 10 Loudspeaker are unprecedented in loudspeaker construction.
Warranty is parts only for 3 years. Fusion of voice coils from owner abuse is not covered.
Though I recommend up to a 300 watt amplifier to drive the Panda'sTM a 60watt triode Audio Research Classic 60 copes handsomely.
Normal supply is with a passive crossover.All PandaTM Model 10 Loudspeakers are built and tested and tuned by the designer: Carmine Bocchino. There is no subcontracting of the assembly and testing. There are no shortcuts.
Goto PandaTM Model 10 Pricing.
Return to Bocchino Audio index page
An installation video is supplied with each pair of Panda'sTM.