Duke LeJeune of AudioKinesis contacted us looking for a high efficiency, low distortion 12" driver for his new Planetarium systems. "The AE Lambda TD12M was more or less called upon to step into the shoes of the alnico-magnet TAD TL-1102 that was used in the speakers I showed the past couple of years, and I was very pleased with its liveliness and smoothness." The TD12M also happens to be less than half the cost of the TAD TL-1102 as well clearly showing it's great value.

Here is what the AudioKinesis website says about the Planetarium systems:

The Planetarium systems take an innovative, wholistic approach to optimizing the loudspeaker/room interaction. Two different types of main modules are tailored for different room situations, and a common four-piece subwoofer system gives smoother, more pitch-correct bass throughout the room than is possible with conventional low frequency systems.

The Alpha version of the Planetarium system uses a pair of controlled-pattern monopole main modules that cover the range from 70 Hz on up. The drivers are very high quality prosound types (95 dB, 8 ohms), which have negligible power compression at normal in-home levels. The radiation pattern is exceptionally consistent through the crossover region and on up. The Alpha system is optimized for situations where the main modules must be very placement-flexible.

The Beta version employs the controlled-pattern offset bipole configuration of the award-winning Dream Makers, but using the higher-efficiency main drivers and innovative bass system of the Alpha version. The 16-ohm, 96 dB Beta system is optimized for rooms where the main speakers can be placed out from the wall several feet, giving sufficient time delay to the energy from the rear-firing drivers to better approximate the sound fields we experience at a live performance.

More info on the design of the Planetarium system can be seen on their website here: http://www.audiokinesis.com/akspeakers.html