Markaudio Alpair 5.3 Grey

The Alpair 5 Generation 3 is a revised version of the celebrated 2nd generation Alpair 5. For this updated model, the circular copper-clad aluminium (CCAW) voice coil of the 2nd generation model has been replaced with a high purity rectangular profile copper winding. This new coil provides better damping of high frequencies for a similar mass, and gives a slightly warmer, more natural treble while maintaining the exceptional micro-detail the Alpair 5 is famous for.

With Thiele/Small parameters optimised for flexibility and ease of use, and treble response that extends to 25 kHz, the Alpair 5 Generation 3 has a detailed, balanced and neutral sound reproduction across an ultra-wide frequency range for this class of small driver. It is easy to use and versatile, well suited to use with higher-end compact enclosures. A typical bass-reflex with an internal volume of 3 litres can be tuned to below 80 Hz. For larger budgets, it is ideal for high-end line array applications.

The Alpair 5 Generation 3 is a pure single suspension full-range audio driver: its only suspension is the advanced inverse roll front-surround. This retains designer Mark Fenlon’s classical mechanical engineering approach to reducing mass and extend long-throw operating capacity. Mark, with Evan Yu and the engineering team spent several months of research removing mechanical restriction from the ultra-thin coil body. Traditional driver designs use a “spider”: suspension device located behind the driver’s cone. Bonded to the coil, spiders physically restrict the coil’s ability to transfer mechanical signals to the cone. Some other drivers use damping fluid, springs or other devices, all of which produce losses. The Alpair 5 Generation 3, like the previous model, completely removes all these restrictions; its coil locates cleanly between the driver’s cone and motor sub-assembly, making it a pure free to-air mechanical design. The accuracy requirement for component design, engineering and detailed assembly goes well beyond typical commercial audio-driver manufacturing. The front suspension operating tolerance is measured in milli-newtons. Production Alpair 5 Generation 3 drivers, like the early Generation 2 model, are made to within +/- 2.5 Hz @ F-Zero. All production units are then pair matched to with +/- 1 Hz @ F Zero.