Bösendorfer loudspeakers – the philosophy

Our commitment to this great musical tradition has led to the development of the loudspeaker program, with which Bösendorfer sets another new standard in the world of quality sound.

At the heart of this development and listening experience is the active acoustic principle, the horn resonator and the plate resonator, which enable the optimised adjustment of sound to the space around it. The entire loudspeaker box is a single body of sound - the entire loudspeaker is an instrument. Similar to the strings of a piano that causes the entire grand piano to vibrate through a complex interaction of a steel frame and wooden case. Bösendorfer loudspeakers produce an unparalleled, authentic listening experience.

We have managed to build cabinets with fewer unwanted resonances in the first place, eliminating the need for practically any damping.

Loudspeakers in accordance with the Acoustic-Active Principle

The high-fidelity scene has not remained unaffected by technological advances; contemporary amplifiers, for instance, are built with an almost purist lack of superfluous filters and equalizers. And it is the simplest set-up in the best quality available that achieves a minimum of sound distortion. A new standard in fidelity has been set: less is more. As Bösendorfer acoustic researcher Hans Deutsch explains: “I have been working with this technology and applying this principle since the 1970s and it is in this spirit that I have developed my speaker systems. Bösendorfer loudspeakers made in accordance with the Acoustic-Active Principle mark the pinnacle of my career. The combination of state-of-the-art recording technology and the most modern techniques in amplifier construction used to produce these loudspeakers in conjunction with the appropriate cables, electronics and recordings, achieve the most breath-takingly true-to-life listening experience. This has been repeatedly confirmed, not only by journalists and specialist dealers, but first and foremost by the musicians themselves and connoisseurs of authentic performance world-wide.”

For detailed technical information please download here the Bösendorfer white paper The Acoustic-Active Principle.

The heart of the matter

As a rule, conventional technology suppresses all resonances and overtones, linearizing the frequency curves by means of an overload of frequency filters, with little regard for the overall sound. No distinction is made between unwanted vibrations and essential sound resonances. Yet according to a basic principle of acoustics, resonances form the foundation for authentic sound. The sound produced by conventional loudspeakers fails to be lifelike because their resonances have all been overdamped. Bösendorfer, however, has managed to build cabinets with fewer unwanted resonances in the first place, eliminating the need for practically any damping. The “Acoustic Sound-Boards” on either side of the cabinet function as passive and therefore neutral resonators. These resonators or absorbers are activated only when connected directly to the tuners and set into vibration (a principle going back to H. von Helmholtz, inventor of the eponymous Helmholtz resonator). The “Acoustic SoundBoards” are large, distortion-free vibrating membranes by which Bösendorfer loudspeakers acquire the properties of a musical instrument. The reproduction of the authentic resonances of musical instruments and the human voice is one of the secrets of the life-like sound created by these outstan-ding loudspeakers.

Air core coil and distortion minimizing construction of the frequency filters.

Authentic sound reproduction has its price

Bösendorfer loudspeakers, operating in accordance with the Acoustic-Active Principle, reproduce only the information actually registered on a music recording. Your ear will appreciate the absence of any “additional
information” produced by the loudspeakers.

How do you benefit?

A unique, true-to-life listening experience in your own home.

For further informationen please send an email to info@audio-bei-der-oper.com .

Bösendorfer's smallest floor standing loudspeaker. Two-way system with one treble speaker, one bass driver /mid-range speaker and one Acoustic Sound Board.

frequency response 35 - 25,000 Hz ( ±3 dB)
crossover frequencies 130 Hz*; 2.0 kHz
power rating 60 watts
music rating 120 watts
impedance 8 ohms
operating performance 2.0 watts (for 91 dB/m)
dimensions (h x d x w) 927 x 245 x 160 mm (36.5" x 9.7" x 6.3")
weight 13 kg (29 lbs)

* based on the performance of the HornResonator

The VC1 loudspeaker is available in the editions: Silky high gloss piano lacquer (burl walnut, pomele, burl birch , burl maple, black, maple, cherry, bird's eye maple); Silky lustre piano lacquer (black ).

Bösendorfer's mid-sized floor standing loudspeaker. Two-way system with one treble speaker, two bass drivers /mid-range speakers and two Acoustic Sound Boards.

frequency response 31 - 25,000 Hz (±3 dB)
crossover frequencies 130 Hz*; 2.9 kHz
power rating 90 watts
music rating 180 watts
impedance 8 ohms
operating performance 1.7 watts (for 91 dB/m)
dimensions (h x d x w) 1110 x 304 x 168 mm (43.7" x 12" x 6.6")
weight 22.5 kg (50 lbs)

* based on the performance of the HornResonator

The VC2 loudspeaker is available in the editions: Silky high gloss piano lacquer (burl walnut, pomele, burl birch , burl maple, black, maple, cherry, bird's eye maple); Silky lustre piano lacquer (black ).

Bösendorfer's largest floor standing loudspeaker. Two-way system with two treble speakers, four bass drivers /mid-range speakers and two Acoustic Sound Boards.

frequency response 25 - 27,000 Hz ( ±3 dB)
crossover frequencies 130 Hz*; 2.5 kHz
power rating 180 watts
music rating 360 watts
impedance 4 ohms
operating performance 1.1 watts (for 91 dB/m)
dimensions (h x d x w) 1330 x 403 x 195 mm (52.4" x 15.9" x 7.7")
weight 36.5 kg (80 lbs)

* based on the performance of the HornResonator

The VC7 loudspeaker is available in the editions: Silky high gloss piano lacquer (burl walnut, pomele, burl birch , burl maple, black, maple, cherry, bird's eye maple); Silky lustre piano lacquer (black ).

With the addition of the center and wall speakers you can expand your speaker system to create a home cinema, enjoying concert-quality
sound while watching movies.

Wall

dimensions 550 x 138 x 360 mm / (h x d x w) (21.7" x 5.4" x 14.2")
impedance 8 ohms
power rating 40 watts
weight 8,5 kg (19 lbs)

The Wall and Center is each available in Silky high gloss piano lacquer (black) and Silky lustre piano lacquer (black)

Center

dimensions 160 x 270 x 480 mm / (h x d x w) (6.3" x 10.6" x 18.9")
impedance 8 ohms
power rating 40 watts
weight 9 kg (20 lbs)