3000
Research at the Highest Level
The ESB 3000 speaker system was developed and assembled with a great commitment to the research of materials and engineering solutions of the highest level.
The baskets have been engineered to obtain maximum torsional rigidity (resistance to bending). The speaker cones use pressed paper with a waterproof treatment which represents an ideal marriage between lightness, stiffness and the ability of the cone to dampen any unwanted vibration. All the woofers are equipped with a Y-35 grade ferrite magnet motor, having significantly higher performance than classic "standard" magnets.
The tweeters use a silk-impregnated, thin fabric dome diaphragm for a smooth sound, with oversized voice coils ventilated and damped with iron-fluid oil.
They are supplied with accessories for flexible installation.
Treated Paper Cones
It is widely recognized that cones made of paper represent an ideal marriage between lightness, stiffness and the ability of the cone to dampen any unwanted vibration (read: distortion). Our paper cone, widely known for its excellent sound attributes, is made waterproof thanks to a polymer developed exclusively by ESB. The treatment does not negatively impact the appearance or performance of the speaker like the shiny polymers used by other companies which add an appreciable amount of mass to the cone and significantly modify its sound quality.
Our treatment protects the cone from dripping water (like inside a door panel), as well as accidental splashes on the front of the cone.
Basket and Ventilation System
The basket, made from ABS and reinforced with fiberglass, has been engineered to obtain the maximum torsional rigidity (resistance to bending), but at the same time, offers minimum resistance to the passage of air displaced by the cone from the rear face. This is clearly visible from the numerous stiffeners and ribs. The basket plays a fundamental role in aligning the coil in the magnetic circuit; its rigidity is crucial. Of equal importance is the damping of this component. Often, metal baskets tend to resonate, and this significantly alters speaker’s sound quality. The material used, in addition to being less sensitive to thermal changes, is non-flammable and also non-resonant.
In addition, the ABS frame allows for a better clamping force torque than typical pressed steel frames and ensures that the voice coil remains well centered within the magnetic field.
Suspension
High Damping Single Wave Perbunan® rubber: The Perbunan rubber surround is much more stable during temperature changes than standard rubber… its range of use extends from -20° F to + 100° F while maintaining its almost constant elasticity performance. Its profile ensures a dual function of high damping and great transversal stability. This means that the cone is limited to vertical movement only, eliminating the transversal movements that could cause contact with the voice coil and the magnet. As a result, these speakers can operate safely at high power and high excursions.
Centering
ESB's research department has spent a lot of time researching the ideal shape of the spider. This fundamental component must guarantee the perfect and linear travel of the cone at both low and high power, but must limit its excursion before becoming uncontrollable. The material is a special balanced cotton impregnated with phenolic resin that ensure a perfectly symmetrical excursion from the first mW of power, and then attenuates it when it reaches the value of Xmax. The design of this component ensures perfect ventilation of the voice coil, dissipating the heat from the lower part of the speaker, while at the same time, avoiding any counter-pressure from the cone’s movement.
The Magnetic Motor
The woofer voice coils use an aluminum support and a winding with a double layer of copper wire with an aluminum core. The long stroke design was chosen to improve sensitivity and efficiency while keeping distortion to a minimum. All the woofer are equipped a Y-35 grade ferrite magnet motor, a type of magnet with significantly higher performance than "standard" magnets. The motor’s metal parts use low carbon steel and have been designed to obtain the maximum magnetic saturation. This guarantees the best electroacoustic performance.
Tweeters and UMA (Mid-High Unit)
The 3000 Series tweeters use a silk-impregnated, thin fabric dome diaphragm for a smooth sound, with an outer suspension covered in a high-loss damping material to eliminate edge vibration and resonance.
Two 28 and 25 mm voice coils are used for the two tweeters respectively, both on aluminum supports with very light copper-coated aluminum wire. The coils are ventilated and damped with iron-fluid oil.
Both tweeters use high-grade, N-42 neodymium magnets, optimized with computer simulations for better efficiency and improved linearity. The special ventilation design, called SVS (Surround Vented System), provides two benefits: optimal cooling of the voice coil and avoiding compressing air at the back of the dome.
The totally new 3.UMA: This special and exclusive component driver was conceived way back in 1970’s. Its aim is to concentrate midrange and tweeter emissions in a single virtual point. This minimizes phase delays and irregularities at the crossover point. The speaker is composed of the 1"/ 25 mm tweeter and the 3.65 midrange, with different dust caps that take on a midrange function (not wide range), without interfering with the tweeter’s frequencies.
Convertible Speakers
The 3000 Series includes a “convertible” speaker, with a 6x9”/150x230 mm woofer, and a 1”/25 mm dome tweeter. By separating the tweeter from the woofer, it allows the system to transform from coaxial to a separate 2-way system.
When using the woofer in the "component" mode, the tweeter support is replaced by mounting an ABS phase plug on the pole piece. This detail is essential to focus the high frequency information in the center of the cone. The phase plug’s innovative design ensures that the speaker response remains linear at mid-high and high frequencies. Its concavities are arranged on a very open angle which help to increase linearity even at accentuated listening angles. This is very important for the reproduction of the medium and medium-high range when the woofer is installed in the lower part of a car door.
3000 Series - Speaker Systems
3000 Series - Components
3.WB8
8"/200 mm Active Subwoofer
The 3.WB8 uses a new construction technology, where is possible to use a very low impedance and high efficiency speaker (ideal for electric machines), an amplifier without the switching power supply stage (therefore less noise) and a higher power in a small space.
- Active Subwoofer in Ported Enclosure
- Ultra-compact design (only 15 cm deep)
- Built in 600 watts high current Class D amplifier
- 8"/ 200 mm, 0.25 Ohm Speaker