T+A Solitaire S540 Floorstanding Speaker

Solitaire S 530/ S 540

The Solitaire S 530 and S 540 combine an unprecedented variety of unique cutting-edge technologies. Its Mag850 manufactory magnetostat, powered by 64 high-performance magnets, extends 85 centimeters along the front of the housing and seven elliptically shaped StarStabalizer mid-range drivers transmit the frequency range from 150 to 2000 Hertz. Together, this mid-high system represents the latest generation of T+A Cylinder Wave Technology. A revolutionary concept that creates a homogeneous sound field between the loudspeakers and effectively reduces disruptive room influences to a minimum.

In terms of construction, both loudspeakers differ only in their size and the bass system used: the S 530 measures 128 centimeters and has two high-performance woofers in the bass reflex system, while the S 540 has a total of four high-performance woofers with a closed system and is even 148 centimeters tall.

Cylinder Wave Technology

The Cylinder Wave Technology was developed more than ten years ago for the then trend-setting Solitaire CWT models. Their goal was and is to exclude harmful room reflections through targeted sound bundling and at the same time to create a sound stage that is as focused as possible: the music can be enjoyed in an unadulterated and authentic way. The Cylynder Wave Technology is based on the combination of a line source tweeter and a line array of seven midrange drivers. Since every point of its 25 mm wide but 850 mm long membrane is driven simultaneously, the Mag850 represents a perfect line source that bundles the high-frequency range in the vertical direction, but not in the horizontal direction. Seven midrange drivers arranged vertically one above the other form a line array, which also bundles the sound of the midrange in a vertical direction. Its shape allows the sound field to remain homogeneous over a wide range, while interfering radiation on ceilings and floors is reduced. Together, the line source and line array create a flat sound wave, the strongest force of which acts directly from the speaker forwards into the listening area.

Star Stabilizer Membrane

Like every T+A device, the Solitaire S 530 and S 540 are shaped by the desire to reproduce the music as it was conceived. Our StarStabilizer cone system makes a decisive contribution to this in two ways: on the one hand, the cone shape follows a precisely calculated conical curvature, while on the other hand the cone centers under the star are purposefully stiffened: both together prevent natural resonances and modes in which the drivers not only transmit the actual signal transmitted, but rather disturb this sensitively by independent, undesired breaking. The T+A StarStabilizer technology ensures that the membranes work in an unadulterated piston-like manner, even under high loads, and that the music remains as it comes from the amplifiers at the loudspeaker.

Mag850 tweeter

With a system length of 85 centimeters and more than three liters of rear volume, the Mag850 takes up a large part of the front of the Solitaire. Its construction, consisting of 64 magnets arranged in a single row, allows the membrane to vibrate freely in the room, while a draft control system based on our TPM 3100 headphone converter eliminates sonic interference: only the precisely calculated arrangement and shape of the magnets in the system creates a sound over the entire membrane surface identically strong magnetic field. This is reflected in a constant, equally strong force at every single point of the 200 square centimeter membrane, which also permanently acts in the linear range of the field. The Mag850 is therefore a classic line source.
In this way, the Mag850 not only effectively but also efficiently avoids partial vibrations that reduce sound and one-sided drive overhangs, which often occur with alternative concepts. The result is a speed and precision comparable to electrostatic tweeters, without having to accept the disadvantages of electrostatic systems, such as high operating and supply voltages.

bass system

The construction of bass systems suffer like few other loudspeaker chassis from a balancing problem: the greater their performance, the greater the potential for vibration transmission to the entire cabinet. Instead of conventional positioning on the front of the cabinet, the Solitaire S 530 and 540 position two opposing long-throw drivers in a bass system in the solid side walls of the cabinet. The side walls of the housing are mutually coupled by additional struts at this point. This form of assembly allows the drivers to work exactly against each other, thus eliminating vibrations and resonances: the housing itself remains absolutely quiet at all times and does not begin to vibrate even at the highest sound pressure levels. Thanks to these properties, incredibly dry, clean and powerful basses and a completely interference-free midrange and treble form a harmonious unit. High sound pressure levels not only place special demands on the housing, but also on the drivers themselves: If they are not designed to meet these requirements one hundred percent, a quick and harsh transition to non-linearities can occur. For this reason, our drivers are not only equipped with the StarStabilizer principle, but also with a new high-performance surround that enables enormous deflections. This additional effort pays off, especially in the border areas, through a significantly higher stability and significantly smoother transitions in non-linearities.
Like the Solitaire S 430, the S 530 was also equipped with two newly developed long-throw woofers with a diameter of 22 centimetres. The bass reflex system with a large cross-section, calculated precisely for the housing volume and the chassis parameters, not only ensures outstanding bass reproduction, but also very dynamic behavior of the entire bass range, which harmonises optimally with the very fast mid-high system. Due to its relatively large interior volume, we even equipped the S 540 with four 22 centimeter long-throw woofers, which were parameterized for a closed housing principle. The transient behavior of a closed system is outstanding and enables extremely clean, impulse-resistant and highly dynamic bass reproduction even at the highest levels. The S 540 shows the limits of what can be achieved with passive systems.

crossover

The Solitaire S are equipped with very complex, double-sided Fast Signal Response three-way crossovers (FSR). These extraordinary crossovers play a key role in the lifelike imaging and defined radiation behavior of the entire system. So that even very high currents and large pulses can be processed without distortion, the mass is managed on a separate layer. Precisely calculated, optimized for optimal transient and transmission behavior, they effortlessly process even the highest levels and ensure perfect control of all three frequency ranges. The filter stages and bandpasses are optimized for phase and group delays. To ensure that this performance is not lost on the last transmission stages, we use special cables for the internal connection of the speaker chassis. In addition, the low, mid and high ranges can be adjusted using switches. Since the circuit boards for the bass and the mid-high range are completely separate from each other, the Solitaire S are ideal for bi-amping operation.

Technical data S 530

• principle
  • Floorstanding speaker, 3-way bass reflex
• Performance
  • Rated power: 200W
  • Music power handling: 250W
• impedance
  • 4 ohms
• transmission range
  • 29 - 45000Hz
• Sensitivity (1 Watt / 1 m)
  • 88dB

assembly

• bass
  • 2 x 220mm
• midrange
  • 7 x 90/60mm
• treble
  • 1 x 850mm magnetostat
• crossover frequencies
  • 180 / 1800Hz
• Dimensions (H x W x D)
  • 128 x 26 x 45 cm, height with stand
• Weight
  • 53kg

The Solitaire S speakers

The history of the name Solitaire goes back over 35 years: since the 1980s, this name has stood for our accumulated expertise in the field of sound transducers. The Solitaire S loudspeakers follow this heritage and connect our loudspeakers even more closely with a previously independent bearer of the Solitaire name: our headphone range.

Both model series are moving closer together not only in terms of nomenclature but also in terms of technology; As with all Solitaire P headphone models, the Solitaire S floor-standing loudspeakers also use the magnetostatic principle. With the Solitaire P headphones, the entire sound conversion is magnetostatic, with the Solitaire loudspeakers this principle is used in the treble range by two completely newly developed special drivers and replaces the electrostatic tweeters of the previous series. The S 530 and S 540 models are based on the cylindrical shaft principle, while the S 430 are equipped with our Symmetric Directivity System. All Solitaire S loudspeakers share an amazing combination of joy of playing with audiophile resolution, analysis and fine dynamics.

concept

Loudspeakers are exposed to a variety of external influences. The smallest peculiarities in the construction can be amplified by room influences in such a way that the sound quality noticeably decreases. In particular, reflections of the radiated sound from ceilings, floors and side walls lead to interference and propagation delays, which have a very negative effect on the imaging properties, impulse reproduction and tonality. Our Solitaire loudspeakers therefore have several key technologies that enable them to effectively reduce these influences. The Solitaire S 430 uses a unique mid/high arrangement to minimize such influences, while the S 530 and S 540 meet the challenge with even more complex cylindrical wave technology.

All loudspeakers in the Solitaire series are equipped with unique magnetostatic tweeters: the Mag50, which is driven by 10 magnets in a double row, and the Mag850, whose 85 centimeter long construction is driven by 64 magnets. Both designs generate an exactly linear magnetic field, the result of which is enormous dynamics paired with high peak sound pressure levels, with impressive linearity and freedom from distortion. The sophisticated designs of the Mag50 and Mag850 combine the sonic performance of electronic tostats with the ease of use of dynamic systems.
The membranes of the midrange and woofers are made of embossed aluminum and are therefore particularly stiff and light. This not only achieves a very linear frequency response, but also the best dynamic and transient behavior, as is necessary in conjunction with the extremely fast magnetostats.
The Solitaire S are equipped with very complex, double-sided Fast Signal Response three-way crossovers (FSR). These extraordinary crossovers play a key role in the outstanding imaging and radiation behavior of the entire system.

Design & Construction

With the introduction of the Solitaire S loudspeakers, a new design language also marks its debut for T+A. After almost 40 years of "timeless reduction", the Solitaire S loudspeakers were created for the first time under the new standard of "classic modernity", which takes up modern stylistic elements and ideas in order to reinterpret them in a timelessly classic frame of thought.
As a reminiscence of their direct predecessor, all Solitaire loudspeakers have a milled aluminum baffle, which is not only extremely stable, but also, in combination with the shape of the housing, is the reason for the outstanding radiation behavior. At the same time, it gives the Solitaire S a characteristic presence in the room, while its gently curved housing creates a harmonious connection between the technically sober Bauhaus front and an Art Deco-inspired body design.

This excitingly different shape contributes to a clever concealment of its actual external dimensions: its considerable interior volume of up to 120 liters enables an impressive and lifelike deep bass reproduction and still appears harmoniously elegant thanks to the targeted use of form and lines. The solid cabinets are made of high-density MDF or HDF, are braced and stiffened several times and are absolutely free of resonance. All high-gloss surfaces are built up in a complex multi-layer process. The complexity of the internal construction is in no way inferior to the design: From its own airtight chambers for the woofers and mid-range drivers to structure-borne noise-suppressing partitions and separate magentostat housings with sloping rear walls, it embodies the perfection, solidity and durability that T+A stands for.

Technical highlights Solitaire S 540

• floorstanding speaker
• High-frequency range: Mag850 manufacture high-performance magnetostat
• Sound bundling: Cylinder Wave Technology with line source tweeter and line array midrange drivers
• Bass range: 2 x DualBass system
• Baffle: full aluminum
• Equipment: Chassis with StarStabalizer cones and FSR crossover