IO2

The Basics:

The IO2 Truhorn from Audire is a compact, full frequency loudspeaker, producing incredible listening levels with pitch precise and room filling bass and pristine mids and highs. Utilizing a 4" full range sigma driver from Fostex, the io2 works on the horn principle, of an ever expanding sound path. The reason why we call it a true horn is a simple one. While most horn-speaker manufacturers go the easy route of creating a horn by strategically placing numerous cut sections of plywood or other similar material, causing disruptions in the sound path at every step of the way, the io2, by design, features a completely smooth sound flow path, free of any turbulence. In essence, this translates to excellent dynamics, sharp and quick rise and fall time, pitch precise, articulate and extremely fast bass, to complement the speed of the driver in its higher frequencies. Another major advantage of the io2 is the baffle design, which ensures detailed 3D sound staging, allowing you to experience your favorite music to the maximum. The compact size of the io2 means that they easy to place into your living room, and its contemporary styling and looks makes sure that it fits right into any listening room or living room with ease. The only problem, then, with the io2 might be that they might just become the center of attraction in your living room, audibly and visually!

The Making of an IO2:

As mentioned earlier, conventional horn manufacturing, as is seen in the pictures to the left leaves a lot to be desired. While the overall sound path within the cabinet expands steadily from the throat to the mouth of the horn, the cut section style design of conventional horn based system (or even for that matter, regular bass reflex systems) cause coloration of sound, distorting everything that you hear. Numerous interactions within the horn path in itself generates noise, and back pressure onto the driver itself, causing not only a distortion in the bass, but also in all other frequencies. What it comes down to, then, is that traditional horn  and bass reflex design, is truly a trade-off in terms of audio quality, you do not listen to what the artist intended, but what rather the ubiquitous speaker manufacturer intended you to listen to. Enter the IO2 tru horn. To understand why the IO2 excels over other speakers in creating distortion free music, we must understand about the way it is made.

The primary building blocks of the IO2 are numerous sheets of medium/high density laminating boards, which are stacked vertically and bonded using a glue developed for Audire, specifically for the laminating process. Once set, the entire block of laminated boards are pressure pressed under multiple tons of pressure for a lengthy period of time. Once the bonds are set in, the laminated block becomes virtually resonance proof in the audio spectrum, primarily due to its very high density and the sheer bonding strength. No single material can give you the same characteristics in terms of audio performance. After a similar matched pair is made, the blocks are transported to a computer numeric control machine where, our cutting plans are ready at hand. The plans themselves are made using a multi-physic modeling software which allows us to predict the flow of sound within the horn section, and make changes in order ensure turbulence free music.  The machine then converts the chunks into speakers by cutting away the horn section and shaping the exterior of the cabinet. The surface tolerance for this machine is miniscule, resulting a completely flat and smooth sound path. However, we do not stop here. We take the machined speakers back to our woodcraftsman, who with his years of expertise, proceeds to finally sand down the horn section to a tolerance level unimaginable by even the most complex milling machines. Internal wiring is brought through a cleverly designed path within the cabinet to minimize interactions with sound waves. The side panels and a separate 2" thick baffle is then mounted onto the framework, and then entire unit is again pressure pressed with proprietary glue.

The Sound of an IO2:

What all this complicated construction results in is a speaker which is completely free from audio's biggest enemy, resonance. Every step of the way, be it the gluing of the boards, or even the mounting of binding posts, we make sure that any sort of resonance is completely avoided. Combine that with the refined and smooth horn path, and what you get is musical ecstasy. The moment you switch on a pair of io2s, you will be in amazement. Any genre of music pours out in massive, pristine waves. It will literally numb your senses with its performance. A lot of our listeners have asked to us to reveal whether we have concealed multiple drivers within the cabinet! They cannot believe the fact that a small 4" full range driver can produce such loud levels of clear, undistorted full frequency sound. Be it the guitar of Eric Clapton, the voice of Emi Fujita or the earth shattering drum of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the IOs deliver music in all its glory. You will not hear the musicians playing in your listening room. Rather you will feel your listening room expand to a studio, and you will realize every last note, breath and emotion of artists at the recording!

The IO2 Transpare Edition:

The IO2 is now available in a limited edition Transpare version, with tinted clear glass side panels, which allow you to see right through to the horn section. The Transpare is al lifestyle solution and is guaranteed to be the center of attraction of your home. Only 35 of these will be ever made, and each of these will be initialled with the customers name.