SKU: V-5948-AriaMHT Aria MHT Speaker Kit

Visaton Speaker Kit - Aria MHT
Art. No. 5948

Visaton Aria MHT - shown assembled with suggested cabinets, not supplied.

Characteristics and Sound Properties
The ARIA MHT is a variant of the popular smaller ARIA shelf-top speaker. Instead of being fitted with a fabric dome driver, the ARIA MHT has the excellent MHT 12 - 8 Ohm magnetostat. As a result, the crossover had to be tuned exactly to match the two drivers. Since magnetostats should not be separated at too low a frequency, the transfer frequency was set at 5000 Hz. This results in extremely clear high-frequency output even at high volumes. Getting the crossover to the right level to allow the TI 100 - 8 Ohm to operate up to 5000 Hz took some effort.

This high-end mid-bass unit can produce unusually long cone excursion due to its long voice coil, which means it can generate a bass output level that is surprising considering the compact size. Thanks to the extremely rigid titanium diaphragm, the TI 100 - 8 Ohm stands out in the mid-range due to excellent overall presence and vocal clarity. In conjunction with the silky smooth treble range for which magnetostats are famous, this combination is a clear contender for the premium high-end loudspeaker league. Although the ARIA MHT produces powerful bass when used as a shelf speaker, it makes sense to add an active subwoofer if you need to emphasise the lowest frequencies.

Extract from Hobby HiFi 03/2008: With its ARIA MHT, VISATON has blended its flagship tweeter and smaller mid-bass units to produce a highly attractive loudspeaker. (...) Visaton's magnetostatic tweeter knew exactly how to make a good impression in all respects with its gentle, rounded, totally convincing resolution and clarity. The mid-range stood out particularly due to its clear, precise vocal rendition. It was simply fantastic. (...) ARIA MHT is (...) a seductive little loudspeaker with an overall sound quality which, at volumes up to medium level, far exceeds the physical size of the unit.

Extract from Elektor Audio 1/2008: From the start, the ARIA speakers make a convincing impression in the mid-range and reproduce voices unusually clearly. In connection with the silky smooth treble produced by the magnetostats, terms like "smooth" and "calming" automatically go through one's mind. What is really remarkable is the volume level achievable: the potential diaphragm excursion of the TI 100 is impressive.

Technical Specifications

Frequency and Impedance Response

Frequency Response and Impedance Graph

Exploded Cabinet Drawing

Exploded Speaker Box Drawing

Assembly
All the cabinet panels are cut from 16 mm chipboard or medium density fibreboard, butt-jointed and glued. After that, the openings for the driver and terminals are cut out and any necessary recesses cut. The chamfer on the outer baffle can be made either before the cabinet is glued together or afterwards.

Since the cabinets are relatively small, it is hardly possible to mount the crossover inside the housing. The PCB can, however, simply be wrapped in damping material and placed inside the speaker if the rear wall is not removable.

Internal Damping
The damping material is loosely pushed into the cabinet. The space immediately behind the bass reflex tube must remain free.

Component Parts List for Each Box - Supplied with Kit
The kit comes with all necessary components (see list below for one box), one set if the speaker is an each, or two sets for a pair, see price above for details.

Speaker Cabinet Material List to Make 1 Box - Not Supplied with Kit

Speaker Cabinet Dimensions

Loudspeaker Box Construction Diagram - all dimensions in mm.

Crossover - Supplied with Kit Already Assembled

Speaker Kit Crossover Circuit