Oneiros Audio is the new brand from Jerry Bloomfield, CEO of Falcon Acoustics and his long-term collaborator loudspeaker designer Graeme Bridge, who, as well as Falcon Acoustics, has worked with ProAc, amongst others.

While more closely associated with true-to-blueprint classic BBC monitor designs, there is a sense that Bloomfield and Bridge wanted to break away from the apparent restrictions that painstakingly following such a classic design has. Jerry told StereoNET:

Oneiros is the synthesis of aesthetics and technology, and the result of an innovative process that allows us to use composite technologies to produce immersive sonics from a sculptured, organic shape.

Looking to nature for inspiration is well and good, but staying with standard materials would make realising the vision impossible. That's why Oneiros is packed with some the finest components available.

A 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker, Oneiros features two 10-inch, in-house designed multi-layer inverted parabolic Twaron graphene nano-composite bass cones (below). These utilise a 3-inch voice coil and dual suspension and boast a 2-inch maximum excursion. We're told that the magnet alone weighs 8.2kg (18lbs).

Meanwhile, a pair of 3-inch custom Dyneema graphene composite domes handle the midband. These feature a single-layer ribbon CCAW underhung voice coil on Ti former and have been engineered for a wide off-axis response.

Finally, the tweeter is a 1-inch CVD diamond dome unit, also utilising a single-layer ribbon CCAW underhung voice coil on Ti former.

Driver duties are meted out by a crossover (above) that's packed with top-tier components, including custom-designed 3.2mm gold-plated PCBs and custom PCB mounting brackets, and calibration reference grade micro-strand, 651 x 0.07mm OFC copper, TPE CL-free insulation internal wiring. Also featured are Mundorf MCap SUPREME EVO SilverGold.Oil ±3% capacitors for treble and midrange, while low frequencies go via Mundorf MCap EVO SilverGold.Oil ±3% caps. Inductors are Mundorf MCoil CF 70μm copper foil ±2% types, alongside Mundorf MResist ultra HS 30W ±1% resistors. Premium quality WBT Platinum binding posts complete the picture.

Exotic as all this sounds, the real innovation is where all of this technology lives – the cabinet…

GENERATIVE DESIGN AND F1 MONOCOQUE

Team Oneiros turned to a Natural Language Generative Design enquiry that produced multiple images from a single prompt. Ultimately, three concept designs were chosen for further analysis, with one selected for its organic shape and the best potential development prospects for impeccable sonics and design aesthetics.

Once converted into a 3D model, this was further finessed through 100 hours of CAD and development time until the primary design finally emerged. That was then formed using variable layer(s) of pre-impregnated carbon fibre (pre-preg), proprietary sandwich material, and more layers of carbon fibre pre-preg.

This process was undertaken by a Tier 1 Formula 1 composite fabricator typically charged to make F1 car parts using Quasi-Isotropic lay-up systems. The result is an extremely strong monocoque that does not require extra bracing, and needed only limited  damping and some foam to tackle reverse waves.

Another top-flight company specialising in F1 Finite Element Analysis also examined the cabinet resonances and acoustic properties. The cabinet's organic shape robustly withstood testing and confirmed that the cabinet shape and construction systems identical to those used in F1 cars would be viable. Jerry told us:

We are uniquely fortunate to be based in the centre of Motorsport Valley, the world-famous home of Formula 1 racing teams and the premier automotive technology development area in the UK. This gives us access to companies with exceptional engineering technologies, material science knowledge and fabrication skills far in excess of those normally available to loudspeaker manufacturers.

The 1,610mm (63 ½-inch) tall, 140 kg (310lb) cabinet is finished with a profiled aluminium front baffle that starts as a 1,220lb solid billet, which is then 5-axis CNC'd down to 48lbs. The footplate is similarly formed from a 125lb solid aluminium billet machined down to 46lbs.

Oneiros has a claimed 20Hz to 35kHz frequency response (listening axis), 4 ohm nominal impedance (minimum 2.6) @ 90Hz, and 90dB/2.83 V quoted sensitivity. Optimal amplifier power output is between 100W and 750W, with at least 100W recommended.

REALISATION OF A DREAM

Speaking with Jerry, it is easy to tell how enthusiastic he is about the freedom afforded by using high-tech composite technology, usually reserved for top-tier Formula 1 racing teams. "From the beginning, I was interested in creating something tactile; it was about the materials, aesthetics, and not compromising on natural shapes." Bloomfield added, "This has been a challenge that we have met through leveraging the expertise around us to create an audio product rather than a leading racing car."

The Oneiros loudspeakers were unveiled at the renowned Power Station studios in New York City. The event included a live acoustic recording session by Living Colour, captured by legendary producer Ron Saint Germain (Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Kraftwerk, McCoy Tyner) on one of the studio's iconic Neve consoles. The Oneiros loudspeakers were the centrepiece, serving as studio monitors in the control room and playback speakers for the set in an adjacent studio.

The speakers will be available in the USA in early 2025, priced at USD$650,000, with other territories following afterwards. As one might expect, bespoke finishes, including colours and wood laminates, can be arranged.

Visit Oneiros Audio for more information