Occam Audio Releases New Speaker Kits

June 10, 2008 by Neil Middlemiss
Filed under: Home Audio > Speakers



One of our fine sponsors, Occam Audio, has just rolled out a few new kits that are quite intriguing. Much like the previous Occam Audio speaker kits, CSS drivers are still the heart of the designs, but with some newer, cooler, and larger implementations.

We'll start with the big boy: the SuperSpires Reference speaker. These awesome line arrays come as a relatively slim 48" tower with nine CSS WR125ST 4.5" wide range drivers that utilize XBL^2 motors and a single CSS RT1 ribbon tweeter. If the name sounds familiar, it is because similar kits were available using similar drivers a couple years ago through RAW Acoustics. Now under the Occam Audio brand, these are priced within the realm of affordability: a single speaker is available in an unassembled kit for $699.95, in an assembled but unfinished kit for $799.95, or as a finished speaker in cherry, walnut, or satin black for $999.95.





Now for something a little different: the MT27 speakers. In an interesting departure from the FR125S (the popular full range driver from CSS), this kit uses the Mark Audio Alpair 5 wide range driver (a "twiddler" of sorts). These 2" drivers feature a copper gold cone that matches the popular copper phase plug on the SDX7 used for the midbass driver. This pairing is an option for those who may be concerned about the off-axis response of the FR125S: the Alpair 5's smaller diameter and cone profile should result in improved off-axis response at higher frequencies. One assembled but unfinished MT27 is available for $269.95 and a finished speaker can be had for just $369.95.





The fun doesn't stop there: Occam Audio also has three new subwoofers available. First up, the small footprint SubSDX7 which, as you can guess, features the popular SDX7 driver from CSS. The subwoofer uses a simple 70 Watt amplifier, with the SDX7 in a ported enclosure, and provides strong low frequency performance in a very small but elegant package for $269.95 for the unassembled and unfinished kit or $349.95 for the finished speaker.




The other two kits from Occam use the newer SDX10 bass driver. The SubSDX10P consists of a single SDX10 driver, a 3" port, and a 300 Watt amplifier. Best of all, the subwoofer is available for $299.95, $379.95, or $499.95, depending on much work you want to put into it.




The SubSDX10R is in a similar vein, except that it uses a 500 Watt amplifier and adds a 15" passive radiator to the mix. The SubSDX10R comes in at $549.95 for the assembled but unfinished kit, or $699.95 for the finished product.



Source: Occam Audio
Source: Creative Sound Solutions
Comments (12)
lukas 1 year and 9 months ago

All of those are impressive, but the SuperSpires have really peaked my interest.

Neil, do the unfinished and unassembled speakers come with pre-cut wood? Also, any more specs available on the SuperSpires (response, sensitivity, impedance, etc.)?

Are there any plans on a matching center channel with the ribbon driver?
ngsm13 1 year and 9 months ago

HAWT.
Electrodynamic 1 year and 9 months ago

Man, the SuperSpires Reference kit looks like a fantastic deal. And for what it's worth, I'd get them already finished (it's not much more, and it'll save you a lot of time).
iGrant 1 year and 9 months ago

I recently had the pleasure of sharing a room at VSAC (Vacuum State of the Art Conference) with Jeff from Occam Audio and Bob from CSS. The Occam speakers sounded great with our tube based systems.

For the dollar price Occam are hard to beat. The look and build quality is exceptional, the drivers are high end. The sound was very musical and accurate.

I'll be getting some for myself and normally our Rita amp is paired with speakers costing mutlitudes more.

Both Bob and Jeff, that make up Occam Audio are great guys with a real passion for making great speakers affordable.

Ian Grant
Grant Fidelity
iGrant 1 year and 9 months ago

lukas 1 year and 9 months ago

Nice Ian! Any plans to be at RMAF in October?
iGrant 1 year and 9 months ago

Room 547 :)
lukas 1 year and 9 months ago

Sweet! I'll see you there.
Neil Middlemiss 1 year and 9 months ago

I sent Jeff Keyes from Occam and Lucid Acoustics an email and will update when available.

Ian, please drop me a line at neil @ audiojunkies.com.
occam 1 year and 9 months ago

Lukas
We have a center channel design that uses 8 of the WR125st woofers (4 on each side of the ribbon) that is designed for center channel applications. We have made it, but do not have pictures on the website yet. Consider it the same price as one of the towers.

The "Kit A" version of our kits come with CNC cut front baffles and grills. They are intended for people with some woodworking skills, but not the ability to CNC their own baffles.

The "Kit B" versions come as seen in the photos. They are assembled, and only require the user to finish them, while the finished version is as it sounds.

Super spire impedance is around 8 Ohms, Response is 80hz - 20khz.
Neil Middlemiss 1 year and 9 months ago

Just to clarify, I misspoke...all kits come with at least some wood. Please follow Jeff's outline above this post.
lukas 1 year and 9 months ago

I edited it for you Neil.
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