Mark Audio MAOP-5 101mm Magnetic Arc Oxidized Full Range Matched Pair

Sold as matched pair

The MAOP series sits at the top of the Markaudio range and is aimed at audiophiles seeking the ultimate in full range speaker drivers. Due to the complex manufacturing and testing processes used to build these drivers, they are produced in small quantities. These drivers are popular in Asia, and hence when they are available, very few find their way this far West.

The Magnetic Arc Oxidisation Process is done at extremely high temperature in a flux bath that is prone to differential temperatures (hot/cold spots) which can warp the cones. The process is 10 times the cost of normal cone production, at least half are scrapped as it does render cones unusable if they are warped even slightly. The MAOP process involves a chemical conversion where the cone material is converted into its crystalline oxide. The crystal grows both inward into the substrate and outward. As such the new coating is not a deposited coating; it is part of the original structure which gives excellent adhesion. The large crystal structure provides excellent stiffness and resistance to damage. The crystalline structure also encapsulates microscopic voids. It is supposed that it is the blend of microscopic voids and stiff structure that lend the cone the audio properties of both the metal cone and the paper cone, accuracy and a listen-all-day quality.

After construction, each driver is individually measured in the anechoic chamber at the Markaudio factory and pair matched based on that data to within, 0.5% tolerance.  Each pair is supplied with individual electrical and acoustic measurements.

The surface of the metal cone is specially processed over a process of over a month to achieve a very rich sound. Flagship model of Alpair series.

ＭＡＯＰ… Micro-Arc Oxidation Process
Aluminum magnesium cone in a high voltage (700v) alkaline electrolytic cell solution. This surface treatment that creates crystals while oxidizing the surface of the surface over a long period of time. By creating a myriad of flexible bubbles (with many holes) on the surface of the cone, achieves the world's first metal cone that is flexible, light, and has a high damping factor. It is praised as a quiet driver because of its extremely flat frequency response.

Possible Box Alignments
Sealed box of 0.07 cubic feet (2 liters)
3dB down of 165Hz, 6dB down of 120Hz, 9dB down of 97Hz

Vented box of 0.07 cubic feet (2 liters)
1" diameter vent by 1.5" long
3dB down of 99Hz, 6dB down of 88Hz

You could build the 2 liter vented box and stuff the port to be able to listen to the speaker either sealed or vented.

[8cm metal cone full range]
Impedance: 4Ω
Output sound pressure level: 87dB
Playback frequency band: 95Hz-30kHz
Rated input: 5W
Minimum resonance frequency Fo: 110Hz
Vas: 1.6Ltr
Qms: 1.6
Qes: 0.6
Qts: 0.4
Mms: 1.4g
Xmax: 3mm
Baffle opening diameter: Φ79mm


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