Floorstanding speaker YG Acoustics Sonja XV 3 Signature

YG Acoustics XV 3 Signature — a limited four-tower reference system tuned unit by unit

The XV 3 Signature is a 4-way passive floorstanding loudspeaker built as a four-tower system and represents the pinnacle of the YG Acoustics Reference line. It was created as a technology demonstrator rather than a series product and is made in a limited edition of eight pairs. Each unit is hand-built and voiced directly at the manufacturer's development centre under the personal supervision of CEO and chief designer Dr. Matthew Webster, who signs an individual gold-plated dedication plaque.

The cabinet of each tower uses a three-layer aircraft-grade aluminium construction with constrained layer damping, which suppresses panel resonances and limits their influence on the drivers' radiation. The complement consists of a 26 mm YG Lattice hybrid tweeter with an advanced airframe, a pair of 15 cm midrange drivers with aluminium cones and neodymium motors, three 18.5 cm mid-bass drivers and four 26 cm bass drivers with motors of exceptionally high magnetic flux density. All drivers are matched to far tighter than usual tolerances.

Crossover points are set at 90 Hz, 360 Hz and 1.85 kHz, with the crossover optimised individually for every pair, component values being adjusted in fractions of a percent. It uses proprietary capacitors with pure copper-alloy foil and aluminium-alloy foil, foil resistors and resonance-damped inductors; the circuit layout is computer-optimised to minimise interaction between components. The result is phase accuracy of ±3° across the band in which the relative driver output spans up to 20 dB, which translates into precise imaging, coherent timing and legible micro-detail within a deep soundstage.

Usable response extends from below 20 Hz up to 40 kHz with extremely low distortion throughout the range. A sensitivity of 88 dB and an impedance averaging 4 Ω (3 Ω minimum) call for amplification capable of delivering both power and current. Components are selected by measurement from hundreds of candidates, and assembly is followed by a multi-week cycle of measuring, modelling and listening during which every aspect is fine-tuned — including the profile of the cabinet panels, if required.

Key features

• Construction: Four-tower 4-way system in aircraft-grade aluminium
• Drivers: Lattice tweeter, aluminium cones, neodymium motors
• Crossover: Individually tuned, phase deviation ±3°
• Components: Copper and aluminium foil capacitors, foil resistors
• Response: From below 20 Hz to 40 kHz
• Edition: Limited run of eight pairs with a dedication plaque