We are pleased to introduce a passive version of the Model 100. We have long thought about how we could reduce the price of entry for our much heralded Model 100.

 The passive Model 100 is essentially the same as the Model 100 with the exception that the subwoofer is passive. The performance specifications are roughly the same as those for  the active Model 100 set to our recommended settings. In addition, the passive Model 100 is designed  so that the active subwoofer feature can be added later.

In general, the price of the passive Model 100 is $2,000 per pair less then the Model 100s with active subwoofers. The prices are: $9,995 for black and light wood, $10,495 for natural birch plywood or red birch plywood, and $10,995 for sapele plywood. Other finishes  and options are available at additional cost. Kindly email us if you have questions.

I received an email recently from someone who was questioning my approach to transmission line speaker design as a special case of acoustic suspension speaker design. He said his first speakers were AR 2A speakers. He said he is “a big advocate of sealed boxes since there's no question properly designed they have better bass control than ported designs(no matter how well they are designed.”

His said his “second speakers were IMF Studio 2 transmission lines and living in Philadelphia [he] became a life long pal with Bud Fried.” He said he knows something about transmission lines and “don't get the comparison I make with transmission line and acoustic suspension speakers.” To quote: “I might add that Bud would be rolling in his grave with the comparison. He [Bud Fried] disliked acoustic suspension speakers. “I'm not trying to be smart [He said.]. It's just that your comments take me back to my early days and I'm seriously asking for an explanation that I didn't find on your web site.”
 

In my reply I mentioned that I met Bud Fried at summer CES in Chicago 1992/1993 where we were both exhibiting and that at the time I had no particular interest in transmission line designs and that I hope Bud is tolerant of other ideas and is resting peacefully. 
 

Rather than write a long treatise defending my approach, I referred him to roleaudio.com to read reviewers' comments about  the following acoustic suspension speakers: Skiff, Kayak, Discovery,  and then to read reviewer's comments about the acoustic suspension speaker's transmission line analogues: Sampan, Windjammer, Enterprise, especially with reference to the Sampan, Windjammer and Enterprise bass performance. In each case the transmission line speaker is using the same exact driver and the same crossover components as its  acoustic suspension  analogue. The primary difference is the cabinet.
 

I have a totally different approach to TL design and as you can see it works.

ER

As an addendum, I note the following quote regarding Bud Fried's role in promoting TL designs:

"Of course, Bud, had called it the IMF, and therefore, perhaps mistakenly we registered IMF and formed an IMF company... At no time did Bud Fried have any input on the designs. We sold him speakers and he was the US Distributor... Bud Fried was never a Director or shareholder of IMF Electronics. IMF electronics were the only company manufacturing the transmission line speakers. The name IMF was adopted because Bud Fried had demonstrated the first prototype speakers at the New York hi fi show, and because of the publicity and the fact that he had used his name on the then unnamed speakers, we stuck with the name which was a mistake on our part. It was never his company. After our lawsuit he called his speakers Fried."

It seems Bud Fried may not have been the theoretician of TL speaker design he and others claimed he was. You can read more here under "Classic era transmission line loudspeakers."

ER

Cabinetry: hand rubbed walnut plywood (also available in other finishes)

Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz

Height 42 inches

The new 20M Armada speaker system is a combination of the latest version of our 20M minimonitor and our new active Bass Foundatioon subwoofer. Previously the 20M Armada system consisted of a pair or 20Ms, two 15 EXP subwoofers and a pair of custom NSMT Sandbags speaker stands, as shown here. Instead of stands and subwoofers the new 20M system uses two Bass Foundations subwoofers as platforms to create a transcendent high fidelity system.

Shown: light sapele plywood 

"...these are the best speakers I have ever heard..."

"These unassuming speakers may be the best on the market today."

Since Terry London's review of the Model 100 in Six Moons, we have made the following improvements to the Model 100. First, we replaced the 200 watt 115 volt subwoofer amplifier with a more powerful and more versatile 250 watt 115/230 volt amplifier. Second, we replaced the subwoofer with a more powerful paper cone subwoofer that has more linear frequency response and produces more lower bass energy. Third, we replaced the stamped steel frame woofer with its deluxe cast version which has a more linear response. As a result, the speaker with arguably the best bass on the market now has improved and more extended bass performance and improved performance across the board. Frequency response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz +/- 2.5 dBs. These improvements have been made with no increase in the price of the Model 100 so far.

With regard to cosmetics, we are now offering matching wood plinths with color coordinated ports as a $995 option. The Model 100 is now available in sapele, walnut, and natural birch plywood, and natural cherry and satin black MDF cabinets. Other finishes are available at additional cost.

We are offering WBT terminals as an option and we can accommodate your choice of optional crossover components.

Shown: Model 100 in satin black and natural cherry with large outriggers and deluxe speaker isolation spikes.