What if your speaker driver could behave as if it had no mass?
ZERØMASS™ solves the linear and non-linear distortions of speaker drivers elegantly and based only on analog technology. The ZERØMASS™ technology makes a speaker driver behave as if it had no mass, as it was almost perfect.
It is a novel analog real-time servo-control circuit which can be integrated in the electronic circuit of any amplifier, and which acts as a sensor and as a corrector without the need to implement any physical sensor in the speaker.
ZERØMASS™ corrects, at unprecedented levels, amplitude errors, phase shift, waveform distortions, harmonic distortion, transients, etc. as shown in the following measurements. Not only in bass, but also in midrange and tweeters.
Patent pending technology
2020
Fidelitive Lab SL
ZERØMASS™: a clever idea that allows feedback to really do its job, without trade-offs
The proprietary patent pending ZERØMASS™ technology is sensor-less, but this technology it is not about estimating the speed/acceleration of the cone from measuring current and voltage (back-EMF and others).
It is a new approach based in knowing, in real-time and with great precision, the cone’s acceleration; this acceleration signal is fed to the amplifier [the (-) input] creating a feedback loop; this feedback signal together with the input signal [the (+) input] makes the driver reproduce the input signal with maximum fidelity.
Block diagram of the integration of the ZERØMASS™ printed circuit with the amplifier of the driver, creating a real-time feedback loop (Servo-control).
Improvements that can be measured
What follows below are some measurements that show the capabilities of the ZERØMASS™ technology. You can click on any driver to see some of its measurements.
12” Visaton TIW 300
8” Visaton AL 200
8” Visaton AL 200 – SEALED
4” Visaton W 100 S
Coming soon
2” Visaton DSM 50 FFL
Coming soon
1” Visaton DSM 25 FFL
Coming soon
+ How these measurements were done
About these measurements:
Free-air raw driver. By default, the tests shown refer to raw Visaton drivers free-air standing, unless otherwise indicated (i.e. sealed box).
In the near field and outdoors. Most of the tests were performed outdoors in the near field [2] . When otherwise, it is noted (i.e. indoors).
Input voltage. 2,83V at the frequency where nominal impedance is reached, emulating 90dB, 1W @ 1 meter.
Test procedure:
An analogue signal from a function generator is injected into the amplifier. The output of the amplifier is connected to the speaker driver and its output is analyzed. A high precision microphone is placed close to the membrane. When appropriate, a LASER device has been used. The same amplifier is used in all tests: WITHOUT and WITH the ZERØMASS™ technology.
NOTE: This is the procedure for most of the measurements; if a different procedure was used, it is noted.
[2] Keele demonstrated that the far field frequency response of a loudspeaker at low frequencies can be estimated by measurements in the near field. D. B. Keele Jr., Low-Frequency Loudspeaker Assessment by Near-Field Sound Pressure Measurement. JAES, vol. 22, pp. 154-162, April 1974.
Instruments:
Microphone G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration 40 AF + G.R.A.S 26AK Preamplifier + G.R.A.S 12 AD Power module.
AUDIO PRECISION System Two Audio Analyzer.
Tektronix MSO56 Oscilloscope.
Tektronix AFG31052 Function generator.
Tektronix TCP312 Current probe + Tektronix TCPA300 Amplifier.
Fluke 6100A calibrator.
Yokogawa WT3000 Precision Power Analyzer.
WenglorMEL M70LL laser (20mm model).
Main Benefits of ZERØMASS™
It corrects linear and
non-linear distortions
More SPL and
accuracy at bass
Allows for smaller cabinets
Accurate transients
Excursion protection
Non-invasive and economical
Applicable to subwoofers, woofers, mid-ranges and tweeters
For all audio segments:
Hi-Fi, Home Theatre, PA,
Smart speakers,
earphones, Car-Audio…
Ready for more detail?
You can download the Paper on the ZERØMASS™ technology, as well as the annexes with many more measurements for the different drivers.
↓ ZERØMASS™ Annex–Measurements–4” Visaton W 100 S –> Coming soon
↓ ZERØMASS™ Annex–Measurements–2” Visaton DSM 50 FFL –> Coming soon
↓ ZERØMASS™ Annex–Measurements–1” Visaton DSM 25 FFL –> Coming soon
Frequently asked questions
Below you find a list of frequently asked questions and answers for a few common topics. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please download the ZERØMASS Technology Paper where you can find more questions and more in-depth information.
+ Who is this technology intended for?
Our vision is to license the ZERØMASS™ technology to speaker manufacturers worldwide, so they can build even more amazing loudspeakers. The initial contacts will typically be audio engineers and managers involved in loudspeaker design and manufacturing.
+ How is this technology different from other correction solutions?
It is similar to accelerometers but without implementing any physical sensor and working in real-time; and it is so fast and precise that it fulfils the promise of an effective feedback system. It gets flat amplitude, flat zero-phase (and zero latency) and quasi-perfect waveforms, in subs, woofers, mid-ranges and tweeters. It is not an equalizer either, nor processes the signal in any way. It is a smart analogue circuit that is implemented as part of the manufacturing process and corrects the driver in true real-time. It is based on a novel and ingenious idea and the results speak for themselves (please see the measurements).
+ What type of speaker drivers are required by the ZERØMASS™ technology?
It does not require any especial driver; it corrects any regular speaker driver. Note that the ZERØMASS™ technology corrects sub-woofers, woofers, mid-range drivers and tweeters.
+ Does the technology work with subwoofers with very large excursions?
Yes, it does work with very large excursions. The larger the XMax of the driver, the lower the frequency we can get a flat response for.
+ How is the technology implemented?
The technology (the circuit) is implemented within the amplifier, be it internal (active box) or external. The circuit is adjusted for each specific driver model after it has been analyzed.
+ Who implements the technology? Can the loudspeaker manufacturer implement the technology on its own, or is a continuous support needed?
Once licensed and once the know-how is transferred, the loudspeaker manufacturer can implement it on its own, economically. There is no need for additional support after that, but we will be ready to help in any case.
+ Can you hear the difference?
Yes, absolutely. We have conducted informal listening tests with an on-off switch that the listener can use without knowing beforehand whether the ZERØMASS™ technology was active or not (the switch did not indicate it). All listeners noticed a very clear difference and described it as having much more realism and clarity; in essence, it produces a more natural sound, with much more detail, and way more impact (particularly in bass). After a few seconds/minutes, listeners disliked the music played without the ZERØMASS™ technology. In any case, our focus is not driven by reproducing sound the way listeners may or may not like, but on reproducing the original recorded audio signal with maximum fidelity.
+ How is the technology licensed?
The technology and related IP can be licensed (on a non-exclusive basis) in several ways, depending on the use case (royalty per unit, volume-based fee, flat-fee, etc.). Please contact us to study your case.
+ How can I know more about the ZERØMASS™ technology
You can download the Technology Paper on the ZERØMASS™ technology, as well as the annexes with measurements for the different drivers.
About Fidelitive
We are a new start-up in the loudspeaker area. We are passionate about hearing sounds as they were originally recorded, without any distortion; we have focused on solving the problems of the weakest part of the sound reproduction chain: speaker drivers.
Our proprietary patent pending ZERØMASS™ technology is the result of ten years of efforts and allows loudspeaker designers to use drivers that behave as if they were perfect!
Our goal is to license our technologies to speaker manufacturers worldwide, so they can make a leap forward in loudspeaker performance.
Contact Us
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