Description
IMANNIS (triple ribbon)
The Immanis increases surface area from 16.8 cm² to 25.2 cm², the shell diameter to 11 cm and the impedance to 0.057Ω (0.29Ω with the 1.8 m long Star-8 MkII headphone cable). The maximum sound pressure level increases by 3 dB, the round ear cup opening increases to 74 mm, and the weight to 610g. The grill is now gold-plated. In comparison, the Magna ribbons have almost 29% more surface area than the RAAL-requisite CA-1a driver, while the Immanis ribbons are almost twice the surface area of the CA-1a and 1.45 times larger than the SR-1a/b. Between them, Immanis offers 50% more surface area than Magna and has a larger front chamber. There are also differences in headspring details, headband stitching and supplied cables.
Amplification
Connection to amplifiers is through the RCD-Interface, featuring purpose designed, highest-quality, toroidal transformers. The interface, designed in the style of a headphone stand. Toroidal transformers convert a voltage-controlled amplifier output into a current-controlled signal for driving the ribbons. Compatible amplifiers should have a low output impedance of less than 10mV DC offset and suitable for driving loads of 32Ω or above. For 300B type and other tube amplifiers designed for speakers, 8Ω or 16Ω is available, on request (no additional charge). The single impedance interface aims to ensure compatibility with different head-fi amplifiers. Compared to older models, Magna requires only 2.4 watts and Immanis only 1.5 watts, allowing for higher efficiency and wider compatibility. Suitable amplifiers, such as the Auris Headonia 10th Anniversary 300B or the Trafomatic Primavera with SV811-10, provide full power to the interface. The 100% conductivity of the ribbons allows precise control over the entire cone, resulting in fast response and impressive dynamics. The Xmax of ±4mm for the Raal 1995 foils is exceptional for headphone drivers. The SPL capability of 115/118 dB for Magna/Immanis disproves the stereotype of fragile ribbons and underlines the performance of these Serbian ribbon headphones, both for consumer and professional applications. The curated amplifiers, including the new Auris amplifier, provide the necessary power and compatibility for the interface.
Q&A with Developer Aleksandar Radisavljevic
Q: Alex, headphone aficionados know you from Raal requisite. Now RAAL 1995. Tell us the story behind.
A: RAAL-requisite introduced the true-ribbon technology to headphones, pioneering its way into Head-Fi. Our goal at R-r was to offer great sounding, yet sensibly priced headphones and ancillary parts. RAAL 1995 is here to unleash the full potential of the technology and expand it’s performance to the next level.
Q:The new models look completely different, much more luxurious than the former models, but what’s under the hood? Same stuff, different looks or good news for techies too?
A: The new looks is there to emphasize the refinements in sound quality that new developments bring. Under the hood, everything is new. This is the next generation or ribbon drivers that in certain areas parted ways with the old, but inherited the best features of the previous ones. We now have our new R² and R³ drivers that exploit a new idea that small differences in ribbon segments are benefitial. We tune the segments slightly differently, so they can’t repeat errors in the same way. We call it complimentary tuning. You can’t do that with a single ribbon, or any other single diaphragm, so now we are doubling and tripling them. This not just to get more SPL or sensitivity, the obvious benefits, but to add another layer of improvement in sound quality. Imperfections are inevitable. It’s about managing them in a way that doesn’t compromise other areas of sound quality.
Q: The heart and soul of your line-up obviously is ribbons. I was told you have quite a legendary reputation for speaker ribbons too. So the sound we get from these gems is no accident?
A: Well, since my first finished speaker has been publicly shown back in 1995, there was a lot of learning and problem solving that I had to do since. I’ve studies Aplied Physics and Electroacoustics and you can quickly learn the fundamentals of transducers and sound radiation, but in order to make achievements in any field you need to be obsessed with the subject.
I certainly was, so by the time I got to my fifth-gen of ribbon tweeters, I have perfected them enough to feel confident enough to go international with them. To my joy, those tweeters have found their way into several extraordinary loudspeakers of our time. So, yes, there is a large body of work in the world of speakers that brought to this, but this is even more exciting!
We have matured this technology and now is the time to play it against all other technologies. I believe that ribbons are the only thing that can push the boundary further.
Q: In a nutshell, what’s the difference between Manga and Immanis?
A: Magna is the original next-gen ribbon headphone that will showcase the new level of performance, not just in comparion with previous ribbon headphones, but to everything else.
It is a proper TOTL headphone. Immanis adds more of everything, showing that limits can be pushed even further, if there is a will to do it. Breaking the limit is fun. Doing it twice in a row is great fun!
