atelier 13 audio
DIPTYQUE DP77
An Artisanal Masterpiece of Acoustic Glory
General Introduction
In its apparent simplicity, the dp77 comprises a multiplicity of technology and know-how developed by Gilles Douziech and Eric Poix.
It is composed of a 0.132 m2 bass / medium membrane operating according to Diptyque's patented PPBM* principle, and of a 30 cm high ribbon tweeter. Its mechanical sandwich structure is extremely rigid and guarantees the absence of colorations.
In essence, Gilles Douziech and Eric Poix have designed a small panel that can integrate into any interior with its extreme fineness (2 cm) whilst offering many opportunities for customization and integration.
The dp77 is manufactured with the same quality standards as Diptyque's very high-end models. The best components are selected for its design to guarantee that it too can provide the listener with the most beautiful and realistic sound transcription.
This small speaker sounds like a big one! All the music lovers who discovered it were surprised by the extraordinary homogeneity and sound reproduction of the Diptyque dp77. Its transparency, its speed and the superb sound image it deploys in the listening space are today a reference.
Sound professionals and creators today use the dp77 to integrate them into exhibitions, public spaces or amplifying acoustic instruments.
General Specifications
Type
isodynamic acoustic panel
Transducers
treble cell 30 cm high, bass cell 0.132 m 2
Efficiency
84 dB / 1 W / 1 m
Impedance
6 Ohms
Bandwidth
50 Hz to 19 kHz
Permissible power
150 W
Recommended amplifier power
> 60 W
Panel dimensions
770 x 470 x 20 mm
Panel weight only / with stand
11/18 kg
Choice of customization
160 RAL colors / Textile printed with your photos.
$ 5,000
ABOUT OUR TECHNOLOGY
Passionate about quality sound reproduction for more than 30 years, we have listened to, compared and experienced all the speaker technologies existing on the market :
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electrodynamics, high efficiency, electrostatic, ribbons in different forms, flat diaphragm speakers rigid… etc.
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Each of these technologies have undeniable qualities, but we are convinced that the one that brings together the most advantages and allows music to be reproduced most naturally are isodynamic loudspeakers, also called Magnetostatic.
THE ADVANTAGES OF ISODYNAMIC TECHNOLOGY
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Diffusion over a large area by plane wave, which allows for immersive listening without sound projection effect.
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Dipole operation, on both sides of the speakers, to recreate the spatialization of the concert in your listening room.
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The use of extremely thin mylar membranes (12µm) for high speed and no drag effect.
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The same type of diaphragm used from bass to treble, everything works at the same speed which provides consistency in dynamic behavior across the spectrum.
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No box behind the speaker; there is no "box sound" associated with the midrange buzz in the driver. The timbres of the voices and instruments are perfectly respected
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Consistent, balanced and detailed listening even at low levels.
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A regular impedance which does not represent a complex load on the amplifier.
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High reliability over time, our speakers are not afraid of dust or humidity, they do not have a high voltage circuit.
EXCLUSIVE DIPTYQUE TECHNOLOGIES
The isodynamic technology well known to music lovers was developed in 1970 in the United States. Through our numerous tests and experiments, we have sought solutions to improve this technology and push back its limits, in particular for bass reproduction.
PPBM®: Push Pull Bipolar Magnet is an innovative patented architecture. The large section bipolar magnets, manufactured to specification, are located at the front and rear of the diaphragm. They make it possible to maintain the coil (aluminum tapes) in a constant magnetic field when the membrane moves, which is thus perfectly controlled. The bass is more dynamic and transient sounds are reproduced with precision. Listening to a grand piano is impressively realistic.
A Mechanical Sandwich Structure. Composed of the assembly of 3 different materials: MDF frame, fine felt and stamped sheets held in force by a mechanically welded steel frame. This structure is perfectly rigid and non-resonant, it is a mechanical reference which guarantees the absence of coloration and the respect of the timbres.
Proprietary ribbon tweeters. The ribbon is produced as an isodynamic cell (mylar film and aluminum coil). It moves in an intense magnetic field made from neodymium magnets. These tweeters operate over a wide frequency range and mate perfectly with isodynamic cells. A simple crossover (6 db per octave) allows a perfect fusion of the registers. The highs are soft, precise and spin high to give a sublime soundstage.
So, what are reviewers saying ?
REVIEW EXTRACTS
HiFi PIG / UK
Stuart Smith - 25 January, 2021
" These are a very good loudspeaker indeed. They can do delicate and restrained when they need to, but they really can rock out too. They certainly have an upper limit with regards to volume where they become a little uncomfortable. However, one of the big selling points of the dp77s is that they play really beautifully at lower and more realistic listening levels.
On the bass front (Nirvana’s Breed’s bass line is a brilliant case in point) the Diptyques are fast, articulate, and wonderfully impactful. Nothing on the bass front phases them, and I expected this to be their Achilles Heel. Dub, rock, electro, techno – nothing gives them grief. Adding a pair of subs does add a little more weight and does something to the imaging, though I can’t explain why. I certainly didn’t think I would be, but I played a LOT of dub through these speakers and loved the way the bass was portrayed.
On the soundstage front, I think that the dp77s present a good forward to back image, but left to right the image is certainly mostly between the speakers. There is also good height to the image presented.
Detail from these speakers is phenomenally good, but they also feel very natural sounding – almost as if they aren’t having to try too hard – they never (unless pushed too hard), lose control. Keep them within their limits and they are wonderful! I would have loved to have been able to partner them with our Krell amplifier, but sadly that is in hospital in America having major surgery.
Do they prefer a particular style of music? I don’t think so, and I threw a whole lot of stuff at them to get them flustered and hot under the collar. Only when pushed too hard so they get a bit much, but that’s par for the course for any speaker, in my experience.
I loved these speakers and don’t hesitate for one moment recommending you get yourself a listen. I posted a video up on Facebook and someone messaged that the Diptyques were one of the speakers they were really looking forward to hearing at the rearranged Munich High End show later in the year…fingers crossed!
Truly deserving of our highest award !
Musical Mechanics / France
4 February, 2021
"Gilles first presents us with an "affordable" system. This combines the DP77s with an all-in-one integrated Class D amplifier nuanced by a pre-amp stage in class A. This makes it possible to have a set that is easy to set up, capable of adapting to new listening sources: Streaming, Bluetooth, etc.
And this system combo works very well ! When first laying eyes on these panels, one can have a lot of "a priori pre-conceptions", such as ... "it will lack bass", "it will lack nuance", ...
All of these pre-conceptions are swept away from the first notes that come out of these speakers !
Leonard Cohen , get into your seat : The voice, deep, is held firmly in place and shows a beautiful presence. The strumming of the mandolin is heard without your brain having to search for all the individual notes underlying the chords. All the frequency spectrums are presented with a beautiful coherence, with a sound image which is held in place (were it should be) , i.e. without the dreaded "rude" ... in your face" projection.
After the first song the verdict is: WOW! What Eric and Gilles are offering us is really consistent with regard to the price of the system. I love their way of rendering music, what a balance !
To prove that this loudspeaker knows how to play "serious", and lends itself to all kinds of listening, Gilles puts on a piece of "electro" to challenge the dp77 to explore the low registers. We feel that they are not really made for this genre, but they adapt very well to this "torture", and do not crumble.
Another piece, this one by classical pianist Jean Philippe Collard-Neven, shows the capacities of these speakers with "small ensemble" recordings. The piano and the double bass are realistic. Harmonics die out quickly, but are quite present. The dynamics are good and bring the music to life. The projection is controlled and the "whole is very coherent".
Curiosity prompts us to ask to listen to these little DP77s with a KORA amplifier (made in Toulouse). This is a high-end integrated "tube assisted by transistors" design, as the brand explains. The source will now go through a high end Euro 3000 DAC.
In this new system chain, the speakers reveal other skills and all performance parameters registers go up a couple of notches. The bass is more extensive and more nuanced. The voice gains in presence and character. We then re-explore and discover the true range of Leonard Cohen voice. Collard-Neven's piano relaxes in space, whilst having a speed and a more palpable pressing of the keys. I then succumb to the charm of these little ones. I love their way of rendering music, what a balance! After a while, I realize that I am only listening to music and no longer to an audio system. My mind wanders and my ears are pampered by the melody. Isn't that what we're ultimately looking for?
We test the speakers in different set-back configurations, even going for close-range listening. They then keep all their logic and are compatible with this kind of listening or constraint. The "sweet spot" is quite wide, which makes listening very easy. Only a recording of a large orchestra will show the limits of these little animals as the message was so difficult to transcribe.
In short, where do I sign?
On the soundstage front, I think that the dp77s present a good forward to back image, but left to right the image is certainly mostly between the speakers. There is also good height to the image presented.
Detail from these speakers is phenomenally good, but they also feel very natural sounding – almost as if they aren’t having to try too hard – they never (unless pushed too hard), lose control. Keep them within their limits and they are wonderful! I would have loved to have been able to partner them with our Krell amplifier, but sadly that is in hospital in America having major surgery.
Do they prefer a particular style of music? I don’t think so, and I threw a whole lot of stuff at them to get them flustered and hot under the collar. Only when pushed too hard so they get a bit much, but that’s par for the course for any speaker, in my experience.
I loved these speakers and don’t hesitate for one moment recommending you get yourself a listen. I posted a video up on Facebook and someone messaged that the Diptyques were one of the speakers they were really looking forward to hearing at the rearranged Munich High End show later in the year…fingers crossed!
Truly deserving of our highest award !
User Review - Neill Grimes / USA
13 January, 2022
"I wanted to get an update to you. The DP77 speakers have gradually changed across the week I've had them. My guess is that the panels, even including the tweeter, have loosened up and are beginning to sing.
Tonal color is good, with a solid center image and well placed instruments or musicians across the stage. The top end is beautiful and clean and is complimented by the ability to hear more resolution.
These speakers are quiet in the same way that a good amplifier lowers the noise floor allowing more music through. Strings are elegant; piano has appropriate body and weight; the low end is nice with real reach to 50, if not 45 Hz ! Voices are communicated with more inflection with the ability to hear venue and voice better -- recording dependent.
And that initial forwardness I first heard is now gone, replaced with just music from a closer perspective; no hardness or harshness. There are moments when the musical stage simply hangs in the air and you can't draw a line to the speakers ... as if they are not there ... nothing like not having a box. And their inefficiency has not been a problem; my 120W amp wakes them up and is good at driving them, even at low levels.
Finally, I really enjoy the marriage of technology with industrial design to make a loudspeaker that is so unique in both character and looks.
In short, the DP77 is a delight !
OTHER DIPTYQUE MODELS
An Artisanal Masterpiece of Acoustic Glory