Ninja Notes
Axiom makes great speakers but of course they have to hit a certain price point for mass penetration. For those of us that want a bit more from our systems, and now that we are no longer constrained with a certain price point, we were able to extract some stunning performance from the M22v2.
We made an easier to drive speaker for better sound via inexpensive amplifiers. For those of you that want a bit more smoothness and less perceived brightness, we have taken care of that for you too. Also, be sure to check out the response graphs below and pay special attention to the off-axis graphs. 20 degrees off-axis and look how flat this speaker is - and that graph is on a 5dB scale! This means that the presentation will remain consistent even if you stand, sit or move to one side. From my listening notes, as well as Mrs. Ninja's, I see the following words from both of us about the improvements:
- Smoother
- Superior top end weight
- Obvious sound stage expansion
- Greater transparency
- Well layered
- Horizontal off axis and above tweeter axis is great!
In the area of the crossover, the standard PCB (printed circuit board) attached to the binding post cup has been upgraded to a full Ninja network. Be sure to check out the 'Crossover Benefits' area below for all the info.
Features
- ALL NEW network design
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Fully custom build
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Pure point to point connections. No PCB and no wiring between components.
- All capacitors are manufactured by Sonicap and are matched
- Erse XQ Perfect Lay Inductors
- Lynk resistors
- Your choice of full Onix IT-001 12ga OFC wire, Onix IT-001 12ga OFC wire with copper connectors or Onix IT-001 12ga OFC wire with wire nuts
- Heat Shrink tubing applied to applicable connections
- Vampire and Cardas silver solder used for all connections
- 60 durometer rubber washers are provided to keep your new crossover from vibrating against the cabinet
- SPAX serrated screws are supplied for easy installation All New Network!
Unlike anything you have seen yet for the M22v2, the M22v2 Ninja is completely new. Developed by Skiing Ninja Systems, the benefits of the M22v2 Ninja crossover are:
- Easy to install.
- Balanced amplitude.
- Higher and easier to drive impedance load.
- Control the resonance break-up mode of the woofers (no more 'bite' or brightness!).
- Maintain a clean spectral decay (no stored energy).
- Higher degree of phase accuracy.
- Consistent off axis response both vertically and horizontally.
Performance Graphs
Click on each graph to see a comparison of the stock network versus the Ninja network.
Several points to take note of:
- The Ninja network minimizes woofer driver variances due to the lower XO point. Overall the speaker is better matched to its mate through component variation minimization.
- You will note a small trough in the Ninja Networks' on axis response. This is purposeful as most users do not listen on axis. This allows a flatter presentation off axis.
- You can see the metal cone break up on the CSD plot. Our network cleans this up.
- Stock impedance drops to 2ohms. Imagine a 5 channel receiver driving all 5 speakers and dealing with a 2 ohm load. Our network delivers a much-easier-to-drive 5ohm minimum.
Graphs are on a 5dB scale
On-Axis Frequency Response
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Vertical Off-Axis Frequency Response
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HorizontalOff-Axis Frequency Response
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Impedance
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Cumulative Spectral Decay
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Crossover Point
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Crossover Benefits
Overall you will notice a higher level of detail, texture, focus, superior sound stage, dynamics, musicality, and transparency. What does that mean? We use as few components in our networks as possible. This allows the cleanest signal to be passed to your speakers. Rest assured this does not change the frequency response of the speaker or the overall character.
Texture – all of the ‘inner’ details of each instrument comes across clearly. The ‘live’ feel comes across so well because the subtleties that are normally lost are finally present. The more revealing the overall presentation is, the more convincing it is.
Focus – We tightly match our components. While most components are 5 or even 10% tolerance, we use only 5% or less tolerance components and then we hand match them so that each pair of networks is 500 to 1000% better than the stock crossover.
Sound stage – moves the sound stage from being within the confines of the speaker and moves it out, up, and behind the speaker. This helps recreate the sense of space and volume of the original performance.
Dynamics – Our networks use high quality Mills resistors and Alpha-Core copper foil inductors. This means no masking of top end detail, no muddled midrange and more convincing slam on the low end. There is a lot of techno mumbo jumbo about the why’s of this and it would be too much to detail here. Contact us if you want more info.
Transparency – The ability for the speakers to remove themselves from the performance. Our networks enhance this ability due to their magnetically correct layout, point to point build and superior quality components.
Musicality – The best part and why we are all here. Everything your speakers used to do they will do better with Ninja networks and upgrades.
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Components
Ninja network utilize the very best components available. If you want more in-depth information on these components, visit our components page.
Layout
The component layout of a Ninja network is carefully chosen to provide the shortest signal path possible while also ensuring magnetic field contamination is keep to a minimum or non-existent. For more information on why this is important, visit our layout information page.
Additional Upgrades
We don't stop with crossover network upgrades. A speaker's final sound quality is very much a sum of its parts. The crossover network design, the crossover network parts quality, the cabinet, internal wiring, drive units and binding posts. All of these items contribute to the end product - of which the goal is to simulate a live event with perfect accuracy. Click the options info tab above for more information!
