A United States patent was granted on May 24, 2016, detailing an innovative speaker system architecture. According to a review by *audioXpress*, the design centers around an orthogonal open-back configuration.
The system incorporates drivers with their rear surfaces linked to a duct, and a diverter is affixed to the back of each driver to redirect the sound waves approximately 90 degrees. The design’s goal is to manage sound waves and minimize undesirable room interactions. *audioXpress* notes that a pair of woofers are connected at the bottom of the duct and arranged in a back-to-back fashion.
The front-facing sound waves are directed towards the listener, while the rear waves are aimed upwards, towards the ceiling. This arrangement aims to achieve phase cancellation, reducing the excitation of room resonances and reflections. The concept of cardioid loudspeaker alignment, frequently used in consumer speakers for lower midrange frequencies, has roots dating back to 1930.
Previous speaker systems, such as those developed by Benjamin Bauer in the late 1950s and the Gradient Revolution system, have also explored similar approaches, including dipole woofers and cardioid midrange designs. Modern active loudspeakers, like the Kii Audio Three and Dutch & Dutch 8c, further utilize waveguide tweeters and cardioid midrange technology.
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