Tidal Audio Announces A New AP1 Speaker
High-end manufacturer Tidal Audio announced a new speaker this week called the AP1. The Tidal AP1 was inspired from the successful Tidal for Bugatti speakers that we saw at the Germany high-end show back in 2022. That “trickle down” inspiration has materialized into a 5 foot active speaker in a 4-way design – an unusual feat by many measuring sticks.
You can read the Tidal AP1 press release below, and find more info on the Tidal Audio Website or through the US dealer The Voice That Is.
“TIDAL Audio Launches New Reference Loudspeaker
Erftstadt, Germany, January 2025 – Effective Immediately, TIDAL-Audio GmbH is proud to announce the TIDAL AP 1.
Born from our groundbreaking TIDAL x Bugatti project Royale, driven by the challenge: how to make the Royale, since its unparalleled complexity and exclusivity, more accessible for a wider audience and to offer it in the unmistakable design language of our passive TIDAL speakers. The answer is: the AP1.
Four omni-polar radiating long-stroke subwoofers reproduce deepest frequencies and seamlessly integrate with four high-efficiency front drivers: two long-excursion woofers, a midrange driver and a tweeter. Each is custom-built for its specific frequency range and unique role in shaping the AP1’s sonic composition. To ensure optimal positioning and structural rigidity, all drivers are mounted within a sealed cabinet crafted from the latest generation of our proprietary TIRALIT™ material.
Each driver is housed in a hermetically isolated chamber and mounted to a constraint-layer sandwich construction out of aluminum, stainless steel and TIRALIT™. The AP1 has a unique amplification concept, merging all drivers without the drawbacks of traditional active or passive multi-way loudspeakers. Unlike conventional active speaker designs, the AP1 employs a unique hybrid amplification, integrating different technologies for each frequency range, adhering to our general topology principles that have earned our global reputation. Every signal path remains 100% analog and as short as possible, without DSP, AD/DA conversion, or equalizing to compensate compromises.
The result is eight highly specialized drivers seamlessly fused, and amplified into the closest possible approximation of a single, invisible point source with almost endless dynamic headroom. Yet, despite its state-of-the-art engineering, the AP1 is designed for effortless usability since it adapts to small and large rooms, whether placed close to a wall or freestanding, ready to connect via XLR to the preamplifier of choice.
AP1 – Amplified Performance. First of its kind.
SPECIFICATIONS (basic)
4-way closed box design powered loudspeaker, cabinet made out of TIRALIT™
1 x 30 mm (1,2″) diamond diaphragm tweeter with high efficiency neodymium motor
1 x 80 mm BC-ceramic diaphragm midrange-woofer with short-coil/long-gap high-efficiency neodymium motor
tweeter and midrange-woofer mounted into 25mm/1″ stainless steel front, mechanically decoupled
2 x 170 mm (7″) aluminum-magnesium woofers with high-efficiency neodymium motor, constraint-layer mounted (TIRALIT™-aluminum sandwich design)
4 x 260 mm long excursion subwoofers with aluminum-diaphragm, constraint-layer mounted (TIRALIT™-aluminum sandwich design)
TIDAL hybrid amplification module without capacitors in the signal way, pure analog signal amplification paths, hermetically closed amplification cabinet, contraint-layer mounted, protection control outside the signal way
analog XLR input, LAN input for TIDAL remote power on/off control, bass response/room adjustment
dimensions without stand-bars and isolators: H158 cm x W32 cm x D58 cm (H62″ x W12.6″ x D22.8″)
speaker weight (without shipment packaging): 2 x 205 Kg / 2 x 451 lbs.
cabinet finish: original TIDAL piano lacquer in midnight black or polished veneers in transparent TIDAL piano lacquer
metal parts: polished stainless steel, special requests for metal surfaces of choice possible and optional
Retail Price: 185.000 € / USD $198,000 in black piano finish. Available to order now.”