subwoofermania
Many questions have accumulated regarding the Polish company Pylon Audio, and many of them are quite justified. But the fact is that the answers to them can be found in the new floor-standing acoustics Pylon Audio Ruby 30. Because it turned out that these speakers became a certain revelation both for the listener and for the Hi-Fi market as a whole, and the answer to many of those very questions.
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One for all – and all for one
Today, Pylon Audio already has eight developed acoustics lines. Well, firstly, simply because they can: Pylon Audio is a full-cycle plant, where cabinets are assembled in one workshop, speakers in the second, and the third, all this is assembled into ready-made acoustics of various formats and classes.
It is noteworthy that they make cabinets not only for their acoustics but also for many other speaker manufacturers. For example, Audio Physic – you probably know these physics-obsessed German audiophiles: the enclosures for their Classic line are made at the Pylon plant. And this is only one of a few examples.
Secondly, there is no point in developing a range of acoustics if no one is interested in them. But here it is enough to dig shallowly into foreign forums and specialized sites: there are heated discussions, they are happy with every new acoustics and hopefully look for hints about who else Pylon made cases for, who they sold speakers to, and who they simply teamed up with to create a system with that very sound.
Oddly enough, the company itself has absolutely nothing to do with such communities. So, looking from the outside, any observer will say that the reason for such success of the company is either some marketing trick in the past or just magic. But you will not find either one here. Here, the business is built on pillars that are rare today: humanity, warmth, simplicity, and understanding not only of what the market needs, but also of what we, ordinary hi-fi listeners, want.
Also read: Krypton 9 by Davis Acoustics: Where Design Meets Audio Excellence
Such success cannot be achieved by aggressive marketing or any other tricks. Because there is a sound that is the basis of everything: we hear it, we evaluate it, and nothing can confuse us, except perhaps the “price-sound” pattern destroyed by the company.
Ruby in cut
Before we get down to the heart of the matter, it’s worth remembering that the Ruby speaker line is roughly the mid-price offering from Pylon Audio. It starts with the Monitor bookshelf speakers, then there’s a pair of floorstanders – the Ruby 20 and Ruby 25, which have already been updated to the MK2 version. Next up is the Ruby 30: the new, top-of-the-line floorstanders priced at 300,000 rubles. The price is announced at the very beginning because here we need to compare some aspects with it. For example, the design.
Well, most likely, you already understood everything from the photo. Ruby 30 is not at all the columns that are going to conquer you with exquisite carving and monograms. For this money, we get standard format and type “columns” that stand out from the others only by the high quality of the cut.
But it wouldn’t be Pylon Audio if there wasn’t something wrong with that. As a bonus, we get an extremely wide range of finish colors. The cabinet base is always MDF, covered with natural oak veneer, which, in turn, can be oiled and waxed (11 color options) or varnished (five more options).
Another exterior feature that stands out is the unusual grills. They are made of a large-mesh metal mesh, cover each driver individually, and… are non-removable. Yes, they will always be there, whether you want it or not.
The rest of the Ruby 30 design can be called classic: straight lines, drivers on the front panel, a pair of terminals on the back, and legs attached to the bottom. The only thing that can be noted here is the rectangular opening of the phase inverter, which is located at the bottom of the front panel and is also covered with a grill.
Full Cycle Sound
A full-cycle plant — and that says it all. This means that Pylon Audio Ruby 30 is made entirely by the company, from the cabinet to the drivers and crossovers. That’s on the one hand. On the other hand, we understand that these speakers cannot act as a model for the company’s poster, because even if you take a quick look at the same Jasper with their cosmic curved cabinets, it becomes clear that they can do much more than this “ruby” cut.
However, despite its apparent laconism, the cabinet is one of the main features of Pylon Audio. Therefore, in Ruby 30 it is also made at the highest level: braces, reinforcements, chambers, and calculation of the phase inverter. The cabinet responds to tapping with varying degrees of success: it is felt that it has different levels of rigidity across the entire area.
There are a pair of woofers here, they serve their entire range, without the fashionable division into halves. The technical name of these drivers is Pylon Audio PSW 17.8 EXA. Their distinctive feature is a diffuser made of ultra-strong film, which is made of ultra-high-molecular polyethylene under the general name Endumax. The choice of this material was justified by the fact that it has some of the best characteristics in the strength/weight ratio: with the same dimensions, this diffuser will be lighter and stronger than fiberglass, and the material itself is 11 times stronger than steel.
The midrange speaker in the company’s catalog is called Pylon Audio PSM 17.8 EXA, is made according to the same principles, and even has the same size as the woofers. Its only design difference is the Faraday ring, which makes the magnetic field more uniform and collected. Well, the tweeter is designated as Pylon Audio PST-120.6. It has a silk dome, which, according to the manufacturer, will provide us with a lively and clear transmission of all the tones for which it is responsible.
And a few more words about the front location of the phase inverter. There is a whole story about it, which originates in the Pylon Audio fan club in one of the previously popular social networks.
Having conducted light monitoring of the most frequently asked questions, the company’s management concluded that most buyers of acoustics from the lower and middle price segments rarely care about somehow adjusting the location of the acoustics in space, not to mention the choice of amplification. Therefore, firstly, in most budget and middle lines of Pylon Audio acoustics, the phase inverter is located in the front. And secondly, regarding amplification: the essence of this will be revealed by itself, a little further.
Here it only remains to evaluate the approach as a whole: when a company communicates and lives “on the same wavelength” with its fans, then everyone either feels good or is better off than before.
Better than before
Although to be honest, we don’t know for sure how it was before. All we can do now is to evaluate the capabilities of the Pylon Audio Ruby 30 in a system in which the sources are the Aurender A200 and the Pro-Ject Debut III DC turntable, and the amplifier is the Fezz Audio Mira Ceti 300B Evo tube amplifier.
The Doors — «The End». This sound is confusing, it causes dissonance when the eyes observe simple-looking columns with lattice grills, and a tube amplifier with 8 watts per channel; at the same time, the ears hear that this is an extremely neutral, dynamic, and articulate sound, which, according to preliminary thoughts, simply had nowhere to come from here. But it is!
It is noteworthy that the neutrality is the same as in the older lines: not prickly, not piercing, but its own and, apparently, traditional for Pylon. It creates the feeling that the acoustics do not have their character, as if it is a detached repeater that simply transmits the track as it should be.
At the same time, there is not a single doubt about the veracity of these impressions – each sound is transmitted so naturally and even naturally. The impression did not leave that we were at a blind audition, and now this screen on which the system with Ruby 30 is drawn will move aside, and behind it we will see a system 2-3 times more expensive, at least.
Jonny Greenwood, Jo Stafford — «No Other Love». Almost old school, or lo-fi, which is devoted to the main ideas of the music: awakens feelings with spiritual, slightly muffled vocals and does not distract from it much with accompaniment. With Ruby 30 the track received the utmost transparency, in which it is easy to designate the place of both the vocals and the light haze that covers them.
At the same time, there is a drum part in the background, followed by a piano – all this is again dynamic and articulated, maybe even slightly exaggerated. But everything is within the framework, and such development of sound is allowed because thanks to this effect, the listener gets a feeling of liveliness and richness of the sound picture and everything happening in it.
Also, turn the volume down to the minimum – it will not affect the sound field in any way: you will remain in the music, and the music will still strive to you, with all its details and nuances. This is an extremely rare, but useful property for acoustics.
Sting — «Rushing Water» on vinyl — is the extreme point where acceptance and humility occur: these bars seem to be deliberately disguised to confuse everyone who listens to them. The sound is extremely mature, and confident, its blend can be disassembled and reassembled into a track — it happens simply, intuitively, and interestingly.
Along with the dynamics, we have transparency and neutrally saturated midrange frequencies, which, supported by clear, balanced high frequencies, paint a spacious stage. The bass is built in such a way as to show this range in all its colors, while at the same time winding up the room as little as possible: a setting that will satisfy 99% of regulars of the Pylon Audio fan club, and for the rest of the listeners will be a revelation.
Conclusions
Another interesting observation: at first I wanted to call the Pylon Audio Ruby 30 myth busters. But then I realized that these speakers are, on the contrary, the starting point for most myths and legends about sound.
When we hear or read somewhere about “high-end for pennies”, or when they write that “it plays more expensive than it costs” – all these are ways to describe their impressions of the sound that does not fit into the template. Ruby 30 itself is capable of becoming a template, and not if, but when this happens, other manufacturers will simply have no other choice but to pull the sound quality up, leaving the price unchanged.
FAQs for Pylon Audio Ruby 30
1. What type of speakers are the Pylon Audio Ruby 30?
The Ruby 30 is a floor-standing loudspeaker designed for high-fidelity audio performance, suitable for both music listening and home theater setups.
2. What are the key specifications of the Ruby 30?
The Ruby 30 features:
- Drivers: 2 x 7-inch (180 mm) bass drivers and 1 x 1-inch (25 mm) silk dome tweeter
- Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 25 kHz
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Power Handling: 50 – 200 watts
3. How does the Ruby 30 perform with different music genres?
These speakers are designed to deliver a balanced sound profile, making them versatile for a variety of genres, from classical to rock and electronic music.
4. What type of amplifier is recommended for the Ruby 30?
A quality amplifier with a power output of 50 to 200 watts per channel is recommended to drive the Ruby 30 effectively.
5. Are the Ruby 30 suitable for home theater systems?
Yes, the Ruby 30 speakers are well-suited for home theater applications, providing clear dialogue and immersive sound for movies and TV shows.
6. What is the design of the Ruby 30?
The speakers feature a modern design and are available in various finishes, such as walnut, black, and white, allowing them to complement a range of interior styles.
7. Is there a break-in period for the Ruby 30?
Yes, like many high-performance speakers, a break-in period of around 50-100 hours is recommended to allow the drivers to reach optimal performance.
8. What are the dimensions and weight of the Ruby 30?
The Ruby 30 typically measures approximately 1150 mm in height, 320 mm in width, and 370 mm in depth, weighing around 25 kg.
9. What warranty is offered with the Ruby 30?
Pylon Audio typically provides a standard manufacturer’s warranty, which may vary by region, so it’s best to check with the retailer for specific warranty details.
10. Where can I purchase the Pylon Audio Ruby 30?
The Ruby 30 can be found at authorized audio retailers, both online and in-store. Check the official Pylon Audio website or reputable audio equipment shops for availability.
Specifications
- Type: Floor-standing loudspeaker
- Drivers:
- 2 x 7-inch (180 mm) bass drivers
- 1 x 1-inch (25 mm) silk dome tweeter
- Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 25 kHz
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Sensitivity: 88 dB (1W/1m)
- Power Handling: 50 – 200 watts
- Crossover Frequency: Typically around 2.5 kHz
- Dimensions (H x W x D): Approximately 1150 mm x 320 mm x 370 mm (45.3″ x 12.6″ x 14.6″)
- Weight: Approximately 25 kg (55 lbs)
- Finish Options: Available in various finishes, including walnut, black, and white.
