Synergistic Research
Black Box (acoustic)
Carbon

Music, headed your way

Imagine a world where a small cube could completely transform the low frequency reproduction of your system. Synergistic Research did! Using math, science, high-tech materials and a whole lot of ingenuity, they’ve upended the paradigm of large, heavy and cumbersome bass traps!

Over a decade ago, Synergistic Research introduced a transformative broad spectrum low-frequency resonator array called the Black Box that eliminates bass nodes and room modes while expanding your room’s ability to accurately portray low-frequency information and spatial content. Working from the principle that all frequencies in the audible bandwidth are linked through harmonics, the original Black Box balances low frequencies, mid-range, and high frequencies through a mathematically derived algorithm based on tuned sympathetic resonance. So when you get the phase correct at 20 Hz for example, it clears up every multiple of 20 Hz so, 40 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz and on. The immediately noticeable result of placing one or more Black Boxes in your room is first and foremost the removal of congestion, allowing for the music to travel and sound freer, while tightening and improving bass definition and performance, as well as improved detail retrieval to project more accurate image outlines across the frequency spectrum.

Now, the time has come to progress ahead, this time with the Black Box Carbon. Featuring significant improvements in mechanical resonance control of the chassis and resonator itself, placing a Black Box Carbon in your room will audibly deliver greater resolution, tighter, more textural bass, and a more natural presentation than ever before. Even better, the Black Box Carbon is now optimized for stacking and works well with additional Black Boxes for a more profound impact. Simply said, with the Black Box Carbon, congestion is eliminated, allowing for nothing but pure music to be headed your way.

Updated chassis & resonator array
Resonance, ControlledThe Black Box Carbon exhibits a new pinnacle of mechanical resonance control. A redesign of the internal resonator arrays was approached, hand-in-hand with improvements to the chassis. By research and exploration, inherited from chassis designs of the current components like the Voodoo music server / streamer and PowerCell 14 line conditioner, SR was encouraged to continue experimenting with the combination of carbon fiber and aluminum. In its final design, the more rigid chassis is effective at dissipating mechanical vibration and retaining purity of the sound waves that interact and are projected by the internal resonators. Based on those improvements, tuning refinements were made to the internal resonator design and UEF technology material construction. The result is both positive and significant, eliminating any ringing that may have previously hindered additional performance, while working even more effectively against room resonances and harmonic resonant frequencies.

 

Bronze contact inserts
Performance, StackedPer the suggestion of one of the SR partners, listening sessions to Black Boxes stacked on each other were started, and greater, more positive impact was witnessed. To continue along the leadership in resonance control SR has, they designed metal contact inserts after listening to about a dozen different contact point materials. It was found using bronze helped achieve the perfect balance of increased resolution and liquidity and the most realistic sonic representation.

Not only can you stack Black Box Carbons, but it is encouraged to stack an original Black Box on top of the Black Box Carbon. Both products compliment each other sonically, and if you already have one or more Black Box in your room, you’ll find you may not need to replace them with two Black Box Carbons to make a stack – a Black Box Carbon on the bottom and an original Black Box on top is nearly as effective! The effect of 2 stacked is more than you would expect: 1+1=3! That’s positive synergy…

Like any acoustic treatments, these recommendations are only starting points, and Synergistic Research encourages customers to be creative in their placement experimentations.