I have a pair of APM-20ESs, they actually sound pretty awesome if they are connected to the right amp. I am using a late 80s Technics new class A midi system and the addition of super bass really makes these small speakers come alive. They have the 4 coil design as the woofers have four dust covers in a square pattern on the woofer. I believe some of the larger ones had five. I've also got a couple of Aiwa systems with flat diaphragm woofers and AFBS (Acoustic Feedback System), which actually mikes up the speakers to ensure what's coming out of them is the same as what is going in. I found the description of the "advantages" of FD speakers interesting, as I have noticed the sound is excellent when equidistant, but quickly loses bass if you move from the centre position or are elsewhere in the room. Perhaps there are advantages to _not_ having all the sound reach your ears at once, although I am comparing against newer, floorstanding models that are no doubt superior.
Thanks for sharing your experiences as we all have so much to learn from each other. I'd love to find a pair of ES's sometime. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@new2uspeakers I found an article on the 66ES speakers that shows the back of the woofers, turns out they use a single coil with the diaphragm supported by several posts. I won't link as YT will probably delete the comment, but if you search "amazing sony apm-66es" the first results should be the Sound Oddity blog. 😀
I also see three things in common with both companies. 1) Technology and innovation, 2) outstanding marketing. And I think those to lead to 3) Longevity. There are probably some lessons to learn in that. Thanks for watching and commenting.
If only Bose only had even halfway decent drivers, a real tweeter, and a crossover they'd be pretty decent. As they are, they're utterly crap-tastic. Same with Sony's enclosures and crossovers - cheeeep n crappy.....
Yes, they have some similar concepts for similar reasons and benefits from what I understand. I’ve never seen a pair out in the world, but if I did, I would probably try to get my hands on them. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi st170ish, I have to admit , I am not familiar with BRM drivers so I can't comment. I did a quick Google search to see if I could look anything up named that , but I didn't find anything. If you send more info, perhaps I can help better.
Since Fostex is still in the business , they may be the best source of info. It can't hurt to reach out to them. Many Japanese companies love their history and may have some support. Thanks for watching and commenting.
The Kicker did inherit some of those genes. Square driver , but they are still using a cone , which is probably a good thing. Thanks for watching and commenting!!!
Compared to what Sony invested in the mid range and woofer, there’s certainly nothing special in the tweeter to put them at the top of any listening test. But they are interesting. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I really didn’t hear significant problems with the drivers, although the tweeter is nothing special. If they don’t sell soon, I was thinking of actually repurposing the drivers into a newly constructed box. I think that could improve them a lot. Thanks for watching and commenting!
You are absolutely correct, they are not "planar magnetic drivers" as can be found in many headphones and some other driver manufacturers. I rechecked the video, and I'm pretty sure I didn't state that, as I would not not want to confuse anyone. Hopefully you learned a bit about the Sony technology of the planar honeycomb using a traditional voice coil as described in the patent. Planar magnetic driver technology is a good idea for another video, and thanks for watching and commenting!!!!
I have two APM speakers wired up to one connection and they sound great together.
I’m glad you’re getting a chance to enjoy them. Not enough people seem to. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I have a pair of APM-20ESs, they actually sound pretty awesome if they are connected to the right amp. I am using a late 80s Technics new class A midi system and the addition of super bass really makes these small speakers come alive. They have the 4 coil design as the woofers have four dust covers in a square pattern on the woofer. I believe some of the larger ones had five. I've also got a couple of Aiwa systems with flat diaphragm woofers and AFBS (Acoustic Feedback System), which actually mikes up the speakers to ensure what's coming out of them is the same as what is going in.
I found the description of the "advantages" of FD speakers interesting, as I have noticed the sound is excellent when equidistant, but quickly loses bass if you move from the centre position or are elsewhere in the room. Perhaps there are advantages to _not_ having all the sound reach your ears at once, although I am comparing against newer, floorstanding models that are no doubt superior.
Thanks for sharing your experiences as we all have so much to learn from each other. I'd love to find a pair of ES's sometime. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@new2uspeakers I found an article on the 66ES speakers that shows the back of the woofers, turns out they use a single coil with the diaphragm supported by several posts. I won't link as YT will probably delete the comment, but if you search "amazing sony apm-66es" the first results should be the Sound Oddity blog. 😀
Thanks for providing this extra link. It is very informative for anyone interested in this design and for the ES series. @@jasonschubert6828
hi dave, good video . i always wondered about the Sony speakers. well expained.
Hi Theo, I'm glad you enjoyed it and hopefully you learned something also. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Sony in driver tech & bose in Enclosure tech are the legends of audio industry which don't get the reputation they deserve.
I also see three things in common with both companies. 1) Technology and innovation, 2) outstanding marketing. And I think those to lead to 3) Longevity. There are probably some lessons to learn in that. Thanks for watching and commenting.
If only Bose only had even halfway decent drivers, a real tweeter, and a crossover they'd be pretty decent. As they are, they're utterly crap-tastic. Same with Sony's enclosures and crossovers - cheeeep n crappy.....
There is a small Japanese-based company that carried on the APM speaker design but really elevated them.
The one I covered in the video is named Teragaki. If there is another one, please let us all know. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Phase Technology had a speakers that were piston drive I think the model 80's
Yes, they have some similar concepts for similar reasons and benefits from what I understand. I’ve never seen a pair out in the world, but if I did, I would probably try to get my hands on them. Thanks for the reminder.
Are the BRM drivers similar to this but with a round diaphragm?
Hi st170ish, I have to admit , I am not familiar with BRM drivers so I can't comment. I did a quick Google search to see if I could look anything up named that , but I didn't find anything. If you send more info, perhaps I can help better.
@@new2uspeakers Sorry mate had the letters the wrong way around, its BMR!
Tectonic TEBM46C20N-4B BMR 3" Full-Range Speaker 4 Ohm
Crazy, I’ve got a set of fostex drivers with dual coils/mags per cone, oval shaped but the ES reminds me of these, can’t find anything on them.
Since Fostex is still in the business , they may be the best source of info. It can't hurt to reach out to them. Many Japanese companies love their history and may have some support. Thanks for watching and commenting.
The KICKER L7's Great Grandfather
The Kicker did inherit some of those genes. Square driver , but they are still using a cone , which is probably a good thing. Thanks for watching and commenting!!!
@@new2uspeakers You're welcome brother
Its like the X-balance speaker technology of today at that time
It seems so. Sony keeps sticking with a theme consistent with their brand and history. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I remember those. Incredibly awful tweeter.
Compared to what Sony invested in the mid range and woofer, there’s certainly nothing special in the tweeter to put them at the top of any listening test. But they are interesting. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@new2uspeakers Sony isn’t alone. B&w, JBL and Sonus Faber have used bad tweeters with decent mids and woofers
But didnt they go to 30khz?
At least the apm 50 did....
Or are they that bad sounding?
Parents had these growing up, absolute trash sound/construction.
I really didn’t hear significant problems with the drivers, although the tweeter is nothing special. If they don’t sell soon, I was thinking of actually repurposing the drivers into a newly constructed box. I think that could improve them a lot. Thanks for watching and commenting!
🟥Those are not planar magnetic drivers.🧐
I've heard these speakers, not that good sounding.
You are absolutely correct, they are not "planar magnetic drivers" as can be found in many headphones and some other driver manufacturers. I rechecked the video, and I'm pretty sure I didn't state that, as I would not not want to confuse anyone. Hopefully you learned a bit about the Sony technology of the planar honeycomb using a traditional voice coil as described in the patent. Planar magnetic driver technology is a good idea for another video, and thanks for watching and commenting!!!!