Afternoon.

Does anyone know of any manufacturers who make an NXT panel speaker for in car use? I was doing a bit of readup on the technology today, and from what i've read i beleive they would have all the benefits of a horn driver (non-directional sound, less volume-bases nonlinearity, etc), but without the drawbacks (mounting depth, cost, horn resonancy, etc)...

And as a bonus, they are only like 2cm thick normally

Anyone know if anyone produces anything like this yet?

Found these :

"JCI was drawn to NXT by the many benefits of NXT technology in the automotive environment. Weight savings (one or two kilograms in their estimate); improved acoustics (wide directivity of sound output and better interaction with reflective surfaces); greater design freedom (NXT panels can be built into the head-liner and pillars between the windows); freeing of space once occupied by conventional speakers for use by other electronic products; reduced exterior noise pollution (removal of holes in the trim); and reduced threat of theft as the speakers are no longer visible. Encouragingly JCI’s consumer research indicated that 75% of respondents had a preference for a flat panel solution. "

"audio quality

wide, frequency-independent directivity delivers full-spectrum sound to all occupants

less destructive interaction with reflective surfaces reduces cabin loudness variations

enhanced installation freedom provides a more immersive audio experience.

The unique vibrational behaviour of an NXT panel provides wide directivity - a wide spread of sound - irrespective of frequency, so correct tonal balance is maintained over a wider area of the cabin. This attribute is complemented by the diffuse nature of the panel's acoustic radiation, which lessens destructive interaction with the many reflective surfaces within a vehicle interior. Together these features provide a more even soundfield than is obtainable with conventional solutions, ensuring a more consistent sound quality across all listening positions.

Because they are shallower than conventional loudspeakers and can be integrated with vehicle trim elements, NXT panels also offer greater flexibility in positioning. This allows loudspeakers to be located where they enhance the listening experience. Adding a centre channel, for instance - with the NXT panel typically incorporated within the instrument panel - is a particularly effective means of expanding the 'sweet spot'.

NXT AFR solutions can make use of existing locations within the cabin but will again deliver a more immersive listening experience thanks to the wide dispersion of the sound output at higher frequencies.

design advantages

integration of NXT panels with trim mouldings cleans up cabin interior design

reduced installation depth frees up valuable packaging space

reduced mass saves on overall vehicle weight

NXT AFR is lower profile than conventional solutions allowing greater flexibility in unit placement


NXT panels can be integrated with cabin trim elements such as the instrument panel, interior door panels and headlining removing the need for unsightly speaker grilles . This facilitates a cleaner, less cluttered interior design. The reduced installation depth of NXT panels also frees up packaging space. Particularly within the doors, the saving of even a few millimetres can add significantly to the perception of spaciousness within a cabin.

NXT AFR solutions also reduce installation depth and the overall complexity of the audio installation as fewer units are required to deliver the necessary audio performance.

cost savings
Car makers expend considerable engineering effort trimming weight wherever possible to improve fuel economy, enhance performance and reduce emissions. NXT panels assist the weight saving process by each typically replacing two conventional drive units (midrange and tweeter) and the crossover network required to divide the frequency range between them. In a fully integrated NXT system, further savings are possible as a result of the panels performing a dual role as trim panels. This parts consolidation is doubly attractive in that it also reduces installation complexity.
Johnson Controls estimated the weight saving using their “Invisible Sound” NXT direct drive solution to be between one and two kilograms. "

i looked into these about a year ago, i couldent find any designed for cars back then.

i rang one company that made them for PA use.
they were quite large and expensive ($3k a panel)
and only had a 5deg angle of sound so you would need a few up front do get some good sound.

but they could be run on an amp clipping it's head off smacking itself onto the frame and not burn out or cause damage to itself.

Pioneer uses them in its high end HT-In-A-Box systems, they sound great and the dispersion is wicked, you can literally sit 180 degrees off axis and they still sound almost identical. It was great.

Plus the whole idea with them is, unlike normal systems where sonic reflections can cause cancellation, because the sound is non-direction from an NXT it doesnt matter

so these are meant to be good?

ribbons and electrostats have nothing off axis (big headphones in essence), now this technology has off axis response..wow that must sound amazing

I still maintain despite the hype, that the NXT style speakers sound very, very ordinary. We've had the Pioneer system you speak of in stock and we were pleased to be rid of them...they sounded like crap compared to a proper stereo system for less. The Mission NXT panels are also a disappointment and so were the Wharfedale's.

Still, NXT is to conventional dynamic cones/domes what plasma/LCD is to CRT. Both relatively new developents with a long way to go yet before thay can be considered a "threat" at all.

Besides, having a wide dispersion to the point where they are "non-directional" I would say would not lend well to good imaging, etc, etc, etc.

Yeh that was the only downer, there was no sense of position at all, it was all just ambient...

I was actually moderately impressed with the Pioneer kit... i mean sure it didnt compete with a decent normal hifi for the same price, but its not pitched at that crowd, its pitched at the ignorant masses with their love of home theatre in a box :roll: And completely non-positional, ambient, all-encompassing sound was... interesting, i'll give it that...

i'm with winno. i know the pioneer lifestyle unit and it sounds average. i positively despised the wharfedale sub/sat "picture frame" flat pannels. i didn't think either demonstrated good staging/imaging/dispersion compared to some good conventional speakers, and they're still nothing like a set of logans, quads or ambience ribbons in the image/stage dept (similarly flat... sort of)

d

Was it infinity or phase linear that released a flatter speaker years back? maybe try and find some info or reviews on those

We have Infinity Emit tweeters in our work van and I think Sony did some flat diaphram tweeters for their ES range. The MAD Sounds bat had/has some in it.

:oops:

There are the flat Emit/Ribbon tweeters that are available but I was specifically taling about the phase linear speakers that were out ages ago and a similiar speaker design that was done by infinity a while back - maybe 2000?