SUB 12.17 - Powerful and accurate bass performance

By replacing the former model, the 99W12.16, the 12.17 has to fulfill very high expectations concerning power and accuracy. To elicit very deep bass with a high sound pressure level from a subwoofer that has a more aesthetic size is a challenge. The driver of the 12.17 has to be powerful yet very rigid and at the same time extremely lightweight to achieve the highest precision and maximum power. Therefore, a driver which originates from the famous Cinema series which is able to achieve this high set of goals is used. The powerful, yet energy efficient amplifier works in Class-D and provides 500W RMS and 800W peak power. No matter whether for a stereo system or home cinema, the 12.17 combines very powerful bass with the highest precision and flexibility due to its sound tuning possibilities.

 Driver

Resulting from proprietary development, the driver of the 12.17 has its origins in the drivers of the XTZ Cinema series. These high-speed drivers achieve their extraordinary properties through the use of very light and extremely rigid materials that enable the driver to perform with maximum precision and the highest dynamics. The 800W amplifier provides large headroom and high power for tight and at the same time extremely deep bass in home cinemas, as well as putting in place a discreet sound foundation for the enjoyment of music. Its perfect clipping characteristic gives it higher headroom for maximum dynamics.

 Sound Tuning

With the adjustable equalizers on the back of the subwoofer, the sound of the 12.17 can be adapted perfectly to your needs and your room. While the EQ “REF” provides maximum depth in the bass, “EQ1” cuts the deepest frequencies to adapt the sound to smaller rooms with high room gain. “EQ2” lifts the kick bass to achieve a punchier bass. In addition, the subwoofer can be operated in a sealed mode using the supplied plugs for the bass reflex tubes. The plugs also offer several combinations to perfectly adjust the sound to your wishes.

 Cabinet

The heavy weight of the 12.17 is due not just to the heavy magnet of the driver but mainly from the stable external walls made of MDF, as well as numerous internal stiffeners. Together with the damping material, internal resonances are reduced to an absolute minimum which leads to outstanding control and high dynamics. Due to its perfectly sized volume, the driver always operates in an ideal range and thus provides maximum precision and accuracy.

 Surface

The 12.17 integrates perfectly into any home cinema thanks to the three different colors offered: matte black, gloss black and matte white. The multilayered paint is ornately polished, thus ensuring the 12.17 has a sophisticated look. The rounded edges give the subwoofer an even more distinguished look.

 Terminal

The rear terminal offers gold plated RCA and XLR inputs. Thus the 12.17 can also be used in studio environments. Both the crossover frequency, as well as the level of the subwoofer and the phase can be adjusted at the terminal. Here you will also find the toggle switch for the EQ selection.

 Front Cover

The acoustic material that is used for the front covers is opaque and at the same time 100% transparent to sound. The front cover is available in black. It protects the drivers from potential damage without compromising sound quality.

 Bass driver

We call this low-mass, long throw driver “high speed” because we use a very lightweight, stiff cone material and a very strong motor (magnet) structure which gives us an incredibly fast driver. It can produce amazing sound pressure levels with great dynamics and yet remain precise and true to the original music. We spent years finding the perfect cone material since the combination of weight and stiffness is one of the most critical factors in driver construction. The material we found that managed to meet all our requirements is made out of a very strong, long fiber pulp blend. The driver also needs to make ultra-long strokes for maximum sound pressure. So to get a maximum of linearity, we had to develop a special NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) rubber surround. Additional advantages of our custom designed driver include:

• FEA optimized magnetic field design incorporating a tightly focused “T” pole design
• Advanced level of large signal motor and suspension refinement using KLIPPEL laser-based test system
• Large aluminum shorting ring to minimize inductance and further lower non-linear distortion
• Ultra-high temperature aluminum voice coil with airflow maximizer design
• Special NBR rubber surround with maximum linearity throughout its excursion range
• Spider fabricated from unique blend of poly-cotton

 Class-D Amplifier

The SUB 12.17 uses the same type of Class-D amplifier as in our award winning Cinema Subwoofer Series. It has an extraordinary high power output for the driver of 500W with almost twice that in peak wattage output whenever called upon to deliver. In contrast to many other Class-D amplifiers, the design has near ideal clipping characteristics which ensure maximum headroom capability by minimizing the use of limiting circuitry. An unprecedented amount of sound detail and maximum performance are the result of years of design refinement. This amp features an advanced DSP processor. Our DSP gives the amp unmatched control over the driver at all levels with two EQ settings that raise specific frequency ranges. In addition to this high degree of customization, this also allows the subwoofer’s sound characteristics to be changed to your preference for optimized tuning and a more refined behaviour. The internal cabling is realized using 99.99% pure copper wire, which guarantees the highest signal transparency.

 Sound Tuning

The SUB 12.17 allows you to alter the sound character in many ways. This provides you with options to achieve exactly the kind of sound you want. The bass character can be altered by plugging the reflex ports of the subwoofer with the included foam bungs or by adjusting the EQs on the back. Additional optimization can be done by adjusting, phase, crossover frequency and volume.

 EQ REF

Gives an extended frequency response for the deepest bass, however care should be taken to ensure the lower frequencies are not over represented and “muddy”, depending on the room geometrics, placement of the sub and listening position (reverberation).

 EQ 1

Is a direct countermeasure to the “muddy” bass problem of over represented low bass/room gain. By lowering the bass extension, the bass will be more controlled.

 EQ 2

Stores more energy a bit higher in the frequency, resulting in a punchier, fast bass.

 Port Tuning - High frequency

With no plugs in the ports the subwoofer will provide a “quick” and “punchy” bass character. It will produce increased output higher up in the frequency range.

 Port Tuning -Mid frequency

If the left port is blocked and the right port is open, this will provide bass with an increased output in the mid-region.

 Port Tuning - Low frequency

If the right port is blocked and the left port is open, this will provide deep bass with increased output in the lower frequencies.

 Port Closed

With both ports blocked the sealed box will provide a dry and controlled bass character.