Anyone familiar with the Manger driver?

Israel Blume of Coincident did a design with a Manger a few years ago. As I understand it, it never really made it past the experimental stage, with only a few examples produced. A friend of mine has one, and I've heard it a few times. It has a number of shortcomings that would make it unacceptable for me, though he loves it. To me it lacks immediacy and dynamics, though how much of this is due to the Manger and how much is the fault of the rest of the implementation (or even the fact that he doersn't play them loud enough) is impossible to say.

If he doesn't respond, you might contact member Plato, who had a speaker using this driver in his home a few years ago.

I've heard them in two models of Overkill Audio speakers at CES and T.H.E. Show. Both implementations were quite expensive (One model is $70k, including digital crossover and amps). The Overkill speakers sounded incredibly fast, dynamic and exciting. They also sounded quite musical and not as hard and metallic as many other very fast and loud speakers can be. I really did not have a chance to audition it they way I would if I were considering a purchase.

The obvious downside of the Manger driver is a very limited dispersion of highs. Even moving one's head just a few inches makes a big difference. I suppose good dispersion of highs is asking too much considering that the Manger works down to an extremely low frequency and looks to be bigger than 6" in diameter.

Larryi the Mangers are 8" (they do look small). But yr comments still apply!

Hi Everyone,
We have been working hard on our Overkill Audio loudspeakers and now are preparing to launch the Encore (not the prototype that was illegally sold by Joe Shanaphay or "bearman") which is the ultimate Manger equiped speaker.
Our new USA distributor will have his full reference system installed in March 2006 and then be able to demonstrate what can be done. Even if you are not currently in the market you will always be welcome to bring along your CD,s and have a coffee and enjoy the music!

All the best

Derek Wilson.