The SuperSat 60C from GoldenEar is a compact center speaker designed to integrate seamlessly into modern home theater setups. It combines proprietary technologies with an extruded aluminum enclosure, aiming to reproduce dialogue with precision and deliver a wide soundstage, despite its compact dimensions.
Uncompromising Technical Design
The SuperSat 60C reflects a meticulous technical approach where every element contributes to creating an exceptional sonic signature. At the heart of this speaker is the HVFR (High-Velocity Folded Ribbon) tweeter, derived from the work of physicist Oskar Heil on air-motion acoustic transformers. This technology, refined by GoldenEar, represents a major evolution compared to conventional dome tweeters.
The operating principle of the HVFR tweeter is radically different from traditional designs. Instead of pushing air like a piston, the pleated accordion-like diaphragm compresses and expands air laterally. This approach allows for air acceleration five times greater than the movement of the diaphragm itself, thanks to the increased surface area created by the folds. The result is treble extension reaching up to 35 kHz, well beyond the human audible spectrum, ensuring detailed and natural reproduction of upper harmonics.
The speaker incorporates four 11.5 cm mid-bass drivers featuring MVPP (Multi-Vaned Phase Plug) technology. These cast-frame transducers have a fascinating technical feature: the multidirectional phase plug. This stationary central piece, reminiscent of a miniature turbine, plays a crucial role in dispersing mid and high frequencies. It guides sound waves produced near the center of the cone directly toward the listener, avoiding destructive interference that can occur when these waves mix chaotically before leaving the cone.
Quadratic Passive Radiators: An Acoustic Innovation
The SuperSat 60C features two large planar rectangular passive radiators (10.2 × 17.8 cm). These elements, sometimes misunderstood, represent an elegant technical solution for extending low-frequency response without resorting to a traditional port.
Unlike an active driver, a passive radiator has neither a voice coil nor a magnet. It is essentially a suspended diaphragm that reacts to acoustic pressure variations inside the enclosure. When the active drivers move backward, they create overpressure in the enclosure that pushes the passive radiator forward, and vice versa. This interaction creates a tuned resonant system that extends the bass response in a controlled manner.
The planar quadratic shape of these radiators is no accident. This rectangular geometry optimizes the use of available space in the ultra-slim enclosure while maximizing the radiating surface area. The tuning of these passive radiators allows the SuperSat 60C to reach a low cutoff frequency of 50 Hz, remarkable for a speaker of this size. This bass extension ensures convincing reproduction of deep male voices and cinematic sound effects without systematically requiring the assistance of a subwoofer for mid-bass frequencies.
Aerospace-Grade Aluminum Chassis: Beyond Aesthetics
The SuperSat 60C’s enclosure goes beyond merely housing the transducers. Machined from aerospace-grade aluminum, it is an acoustic element in its own right. This material, chosen for its exceptional rigidity and anti-resonant properties, virtually eliminates any unwanted coloration of the sound.
The piano black lacquer finish gives the speaker understated elegance that blends harmoniously into contemporary interiors. With its compact dimensions (89.3 cm wide and only 7.2 cm deep), the SuperSat 60C is visually unobtrusive while delivering a commanding sonic presence.
The 5 kg weight attests to the density and quality of the materials used. This mass, combined with the rigidity of the aluminum chassis, helps keep the transducers perfectly stable even during the most demanding dynamic passages, thus preserving the precision of sound reproduction.
Installation and Positioning: Flexibility in the Service of Performance
GoldenEar designed the SuperSat 60C to adapt to various installation configurations. The integrated wall-mounting system uses keyhole slots for flush mounting against the wall, ideal for installations beneath modern ultra-flat wall-mounted TVs. The brass threaded inserts offer a robust alternative for swivel wall mounts, allowing you to optimize the speaker’s orientation according to the room layout.
For shelf installation, separately available adjustable feet allow the speaker to be tilted at various angles, precisely directing sound toward the listening area. This adaptability ensures optimal performance regardless of the screen’s height relative to the seating.
The screw-type terminals accept cables up to 12 AWG, ensuring a stable and secure connection capable of transmitting even the most dynamic signals without loss. This attention to connection details reflects GoldenEar’s philosophy: every link in the audio chain deserves special care.
