Focus on: BM2208 Studio 8″ Mid-Bass Driver
We thought it was about time we shone the spotlight on what is one of our most popular products: The BM2208.
Originally the named BM2202DS, demand for this 8” mid-bass unit has spanned nearly 30 years and whilst experimentation in terms of doping techniques and dustcap materials have taken place, this has been driven by materials and glues becoming obsolete rather than the need to improve upon the unit’s performance.
Back at the start of the BM2208’s life, David Lyth improved the Thiele Small Parameters giving a better balance between the bass and the midrange by reducing the strength of the magnet, otherwise, in terms of performance, it has remained unchanged.
The BM2208 has been popular with many OEM Customers over the years but most recently Robson Acoustics have incorporated them into their Voltaire Range. On the unit Robert Hudson, Founder of Robson Acoustics had this to say,
‘The Voltaire range was founded around the BM2208 because of it’s ability to not only produce incredible bass purity, depth and control but also a midrange quality that excels in vocal clarity and warmth. Including the Voltaire 1 Ref, this drive unit is now in 3 models within the Voltaire range as well as in our new Voltaire Media room installations for high-end home cinemas. Testament enough to the outstanding performance of this loudspeaker.’
For more details on the Voltaire Range, please contact Robson Acoustics
The BM2208 has also sold consistently well within the DIY HiFi market. We were recently contacted by a gentleman, Robert Cochrane who owned a pair of the earliest versions of the BM2208, the BM220DS. He purchased these as part of a Wilmslow Audio Flat Pack Kit that also incorporated the Scanspeak D2006B Tweeter, back in 1985. He explained that,
‘Whilst the performance with a Marantz amplifier was still very good, the speakers were sagging slightly and the dope sheen on the cones had disappeared. They followed me to Hong Kong and back, surviving the sea voyages and the combination of high seasonal humidity and temperature variation and air conditioning.’
Consequently, he decided to upgrade the entire system to restore the original performance and appearance. We reconed the driver to the up to date BM2208 specification which, as well as modern adhesives and materials, now uses a polymer cone which is formed in house.
Robert then worked closely with Wilmslow Audio to successfully construct an up to date system, using the Wilmslow SM 108 Near Field Home Studio Monitor kit and the Scanspeak D2905/9700.00 tweeters.
‘The photographs show the final result; even before being run in the performance is definitely improved, with better definition in the treble and less colouration in the bass.’
The next stage of Robert’s project is to complete the construction of a World Designs EL84 valve amplifier and we wish him every success.
We have sold many BM2208s to Wilmslow Audio this year and so asked Neil, why he thought it was still proving popular,
‘The main features we like about the BM2208, is that there is very little colouration in the midrange, which means that vocals in particular have a very clear and natural sound. In addition the bass response is extremely controlled and accurate, making it ideal for studio monitoring as well as for domestic use in smaller rooms. This also enables the BM2208 to have the flexibility of working in quite small speakers of around 20L, as well as larger floorstanding speakers of 50L or more.
We currently use the BM2208 in 3-4 designs currently on our website, but recommend it on a regular basis to anyone who is either upgrading their current system or maybe building a completely new custom design.’
Click here to browse Wilmslow’s website for more information on the kits that feature the BM2208 and indeed other Volt drivers.
It’s not only Wilmslow who have endorsed the BM2208s suitability for use in the studio environment. Marco Perry, Sound Designer at Audio Engineering Firm Immersive Audio Ltd said,
‘The BM2208 is A fine example of great British loudspeaker design and proper transducer engineering. The detailed eq curves and crossover points available make the Volt BM2208 ideal for mixing and monitoring multichannel spatial Immersive audio content.’
For more technical information about the BM2208 please download the specification here if you’re interested in purchasing or trialling this unit please contact:
If you are an OEM and would to discuss a product based on the BM2208 please contact us through the website at the usual Volt address: info@voltloudspeakers.co.uk
