Mark Audio MAOP-7 122mm Magnetic Arc Oxidized Full Range Matched Pair

I used to believe that full range driver is an impossible thing, particularly the one that can adequately reproduce mids and highs. I haven't heard a single dome tweeter that can compare to BG Neo-3 planar, so asking for the same level of performance from an electrodynamic full-ranger sounded like an impossible proposition. Well, ladies and gentlemen, this driver does it.

I came to MAOP-7 through Pluvia Seven HD. Pluvia performance vastly exceeded my expectations. Naturally I got curious whether and how MAOP-7 can improve on the already near-perfect Pluvia. The bottom line - MAOP-7 is BIG step above Pluvia. We all dream of speakers that could perform at the same level as good headphones. For me, the MAOP-7 sound is better than that of my Grado SR325 and Sennheiser 650HD. With different kinds of music, from pop to classic, the sound is so involving and enjoyable that I am having hard time ending my listening sessions.

The Micro Arc Oxidation Process creates a layer of very hard aluminum oxide (4 times harder than one created by anodizing) tightly bound to metal substrate. As a result, speaker cone gets sandwich structure in which speed of sound in the two layers is different. This disrupts standing waves at certain frequencies caused by border reflections. I suspect this is the key ingredient for the unbelievable sound of this driver. Thank you, Mark Fenlon, for this breakthrough - a point source full-range, no crossover needed speaker - a veritable holy grail of speaker design.

As described, MAOP-7 needs extended break-in to fully open. One limitation as a full range is that if one wants a single driver speaker, it will work well only at low listening levels because high excursion with higher level low frequencies will cause audible IM distortion. For higher levels it is necessary to cross out bass at 150-200 Hz and add an extra woofer, which could be Pluvia-7 or another 4" woofer.

My enclosure is 1 liter sealed box inside a 15 liter bass reflex cabinet with a 4" additional woofer. The MAOP-7 in this enclosure naturally rolls 2nd order at about 170 Hz, and acoustic suspension dominates cone's mechanical suspension. The woofer can be low-passed 2nd order Butterworth, or, preferably, bi-amped using a Class D sub amplifier.

If I could give these MAOP 7s a 5+ rating, I would do so. Here on the Madisound store, I rated the Pluvia 7s a full 5 stars, and they deserve every bit of that mark. These MAOP 7s do everything the Pluvias do, plus that little bit more, and with a level of refinement that really shines.

Without siting specifications or measurements, when it comes to my Heinsenfolg Bespoke Audio lifestyle speakers, it is all about voicing. The MAOPs have an incredibly natural sound. One that is detailed, without being too harsh or fatiguing. It is also warm, without being muddy. I find I can listen to these drivers for hours & hours, and never want to stop the listening session.

Yes, they're a bit pricier than my favorite go-to Pluvias, but for a special build, the MAOPs are absolutely worth the price for these sonically-matched pairs. Note: the MAOPs are priced as a pair, while other MarkAudio drivers are priced as singles.

This brings me to the presentation. The finish of the MAOP drivers are dead matte with no sheen what-so-ever. The color to my eye is a very neutral powdery greyish-white of the the lightest magnitude— definitely not super bright white, and not too dull grey either. I love the luxurious finish which is created by a complex manufacturing process worth reading about. They present very attractive, have a high end look, and match virtually any cabinet material because of their color neutrality.

I have truly come to love listening to these drivers everyday in my home, so they get my highest recommendation out of any full range driver coming anywhere close to their price range!