GoldenEar Invisa SP 652

The GoldenEar Invisa SP 652 is an in-ceiling speaker designed for stereo playback from a single point. This 2.5-way model features two high-velocity folded ribbon tweeters and a 165 mm dual voice coil mid-bass driver. The entire assembly is housed in a one-piece chassis made of mineral-reinforced polymer.

A Monolithic Design Serving Acoustic Performance

The structure of the Invisa SP 652 stands out thanks to its unitary construction in polymer enriched with marble powder. This monolithic approach, where the mid-bass driver’s chassis forms an inseparable whole with the baffle, eliminates the parasitic resonances typical of multi-piece assemblies. The composite material, particularly dense and inert in terms of vibration, gives the speaker remarkable rigidity while keeping the weight down to 1.9 kg.

The 165 mm mid-bass transducer benefits from direct integration into this unitary structure. Its polypropylene cone, paired with a soft rubber surround, allows for significant linear excursions. Its unique feature is the dual voice coil, which enables separate handling of the left and right channels while maintaining perfect mechanical coherence. This dual winding configuration ensures true stereo separation from a single point of diffusion.

A specially contoured santoprene ring surrounds the main driver and covers the suspensions. This component serves a dual purpose: it minimizes diffraction phenomena at the transducer’s edges while dampening localized resonances. This attention to construction detail reflects the meticulous approach adopted by GoldenEar’s engineers to optimize every aspect of sound reproduction.

HVFR Technology: When the Folded Ribbon Reaches New Heights

The two HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) tweeters are the technological heart of the Invisa SP 652. This technology, directly derived from GoldenEar’s high-end Triton tower speakers, is based on a radically different principle from conventional dome tweeters. Instead of pushing air with a rigid surface, the HVFR’s accordion-folded diaphragm compresses and pressurizes air through its multiple folds.

The high-density Kapton film diaphragm, driven by powerful neodymium magnets, oscillates in a compression-expansion motion that multiplies the effective radiating surface. This approach achieves a frequency response extending up to 35 kHz with remarkably low distortion, even at high sound levels. The horizontal dispersion approaches 180 degrees, ensuring even stereo coverage throughout the room.

The two HVFR tweeters are mounted in a dedicated acoustic pod, positioned at a precisely calculated angle to maximize stereo separation and projection into the listening space. This angled configuration, the result of extensive acoustic studies, allows for a credible soundstage despite the physical proximity of the two transducers. The entire assembly rotates 360 degrees after installation, allowing the ribbons to be oriented horizontally regardless of mounting position.

Installation Versatility and Acoustic Adaptability

The Invisa SP 652 proves particularly versatile in its configuration options. Beyond its primary use for stereo playback from a single point, it can operate in bipolar mode when both channels are wired in parallel. This setup is ideal for surround channels or height effects in a home theater system compatible with Dolby Atmos.

A three-position high-frequency EQ switch allows you to tailor the speaker’s response to the room’s acoustic characteristics. The center position suits balanced spaces combining reflective and absorbent surfaces. The “-” position attenuates the highs for highly reverberant environments with many hard surfaces. The “+” position boosts the high frequencies in heavily damped rooms or to compensate for excessive absorption from certain building materials.

The spring-clip mounting system ensures a firm hold in ceilings with thicknesses between 12 and 38 mm. The spring terminals accept cable up to 4 mm² in cross-section, as well as standard banana plugs or pin connectors. This connection flexibility simplifies integration into existing installations without the need for specialized tools.

Two Sophisticated Crossover Networks for Perfect Integration

The Invisa SP 652 features two complex crossover circuits using components selected for their tight tolerances and thermal stability. Each network independently manages a stereo channel, ensuring optimal separation while maintaining phase coherence between the transducers. The crossover frequency, strategically set to exploit the respective qualities of the mid-bass and HVFR tweeters, guarantees an imperceptible transition between registers.

Metallized film capacitors and air-core inductors minimize dielectric losses and magnetic saturation, preserving signal dynamics and transparency. The nominal 4-ohm impedance, compatible with 8-ohm amplifiers, reflects a design focused on energy efficiency. With a sensitivity of 86 dB for 2.83 V at 1 meter, the speaker works well with modest amplification while handling up to 125 watts per channel.

The frequency response, ranging from 25 Hz to 35 kHz, amply covers the audible spectrum and beyond. This extension into the deep bass, remarkable for an in-ceiling speaker of this size, results from optimizing the rear enclosure volume and the mechanical behavior of the dual voice coil transducer. The linearity of the response across the entire spectrum ensures faithful reproduction of instrumental and vocal timbres.

A Recent Evolution Under the Aegis of PML Sound International

In January 2025, GoldenEar Technology was acquired by PML Sound International, parent company of Paradigm, Anthem, and MartinLogan. This acquisition, following five years under the stewardship of The Quest Group (AudioQuest), opens new technological perspectives for the brand. PML, renowned for its rigorously technical approach to acoustic development, has substantial research resources, including an anechoic chamber modeled after that of the National Research Council of Canada.

Integration within the PML group could enable the incorporation of technologies such as the ARC (Anthem Room Correction) acoustic correction system in future Invisa range developments. Synergies with MartinLogan, a specialist in electrostatic transducers, and Paradigm, a benchmark in acoustic engineering, promise ambitious technical developments while preserving GoldenEar’s distinctive sonic identity.

Technical Specifications

Configuration

• Type: 2.5-way
• Speakers:
  • 2 high-velocity folded ribbon tweeters (HVFR)
  • 1 165 mm dual voice coil mid/bass driver

Audio Performance

• Frequency response: 25 Hz - 35 kHz
• Sensitivity: 86 dB
• Impedance: nominal 4 Ω (8 Ω compatible)
• Recommended amplification power: 10 - 125 W / channel

Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions:
  • Cutout diameter: 180 mm
  • Speaker diameter: 219 mm
  • Depth: 87.3 mm
• Grill:
  • Round: 220.6 mm
  • Square (optional): 219.8 mm
• Weight: 1.9 kg