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Why we use Beryllium

When it comes to crafting our speakers we always look for  materials that do the job best. Among the array of materials used in speaker construction, beryllium stood out as an exceptional choice for our recent model Mingus Septet. 

This lightweight, rare element has earned its place in high-end audio systems, captivating listeners with crystal-clear sound reproduction. We’ve been curious about beryllium as a material for speaker cones for some time, and its unique properties were a perfect choice for our custom high midrange driver. Let’s find out why.

Wonder material

  1. The lightest structural metal
    Beryllium is the lightest known structural metal. With a density only a third that of aluminium, it allows for incredibly agile speaker cone movement, making it an ideal choice for high-frequency applications.

  2. Extraordinary stiffness
    Despite its lightweight nature, beryllium is incredibly rigid, boasting a measure of stiffness higher than steel. This stiffness minimises unwanted resonances, ensuring precision in sound reproduction.

  3. Exceptional thermal conductivity
    Beryllium boasts remarkable thermal conductivity, effectively dissipating heat generated during high-power audio playback. This property helps prevent overheating and maintains consistent performance even under demanding conditions.

  4. Corrosion resistance
    Beryllium is highly resistant to corrosion, ensuring the longevity of speaker components. This makes it an attractive choice for products designed for the long-term.

  5. Wide frequency response
    Beryllium’s lightweight and stiff nature, combined with its excellent damping properties, allow for a wide frequency response. It excels in reproducing subtle nuances in music, making it a favourite among audiophiles seeking unparalleled clarity and detail.

Beryllium benefits

  1. Precision in high-frequency response
    Beryllium’s stiffness and low mass enable speaker cones to respond swiftly and accurately to high-frequency signals. This results in crystal-clear treble and exceptional detail in audio playback.

  2. Reduced distortion
    The exceptional stiffness of beryllium minimises distortion, allowing for cleaner and more faithful sound reproduction, especially in the midrange frequencies.

  3. Improved heat dissipation
    The superior thermal conductivity of beryllium helps dissipate heat generated during high-power audio playback, reducing the risk of thermal distortion and ensuring consistent performance.

  4. Enhanced clarity and nuance
    Beryllium’s wide frequency response and damping properties contribute to enhanced audio clarity and the ability to reproduce subtle audio nuances, providing listeners with a truly immersive experience.

For Mingus Septet we use a beryllium cone in the high-midrange driver— it’s the perfect material for a lightweight Moving Mass System— and as part of our continued advance in technology, beryllium takes its rightful place in shaping the Marten sound. It’s high resolution, open and transparent—ideal qualities for one of our finest models to date.

Find out more about Mingus Septet

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Annual team outing in Hamburg

Our company is strong because we have great team. That’s why our annual company trips are not just any ordinary outings; they are curated experiences that combine business, culture, and leisure. This year, we set our sights on the city of Hamburg, a place steeped in history and music, where the Beatles once found their footing and the Elbphilharmonie Orchestra enchants the classical music world stage.

Hamburg, often referred to as the “Gateway to the World,” is a city that effortlessly balances its rich maritime history with a vibrant cultural scene. It is a city of bridges, parks, and waterways that inspire both relaxation and creativity.

The team outside Elbphilharmonie

The Beatles’ Hamburg connection

One of the most intriguing aspects of Hamburg’s history is its close association with the legendary rock band, The Beatles. Back in the early 1960s, this iconic group embarked on their remarkable journey to stardom right here in Hamburg. Their story began in August 1960 when they arrived in the city. They spent two formative years playing gigs (working eight hours a day, seven days a week) at various venues in the Reeperbahn district, such as the Indra Club, the Kaiserkeller, and the Star-Club. These venues, which still exist today, are key places where they honed their talent.

Our guide for this tour was the wonderful Stephanie Hempel, who really brought the streets to life with anecdotes of The Beatle’s time in Hamburg and joyful musical interludes—we couldn’t help but feel the echoes of the Fab Four around every corner.

Elbphilharmonie Orchestra

While Hamburg’s rock ‘n’ roll heritage is impressive, its classical music scene is equally captivating. At the heart of it all stands the Elbphilharmonie, a breathtaking architectural marvel overlooking the Elbe River. This iconic concert hall is renowned not only for its design but also for its impeccable acoustics. Not to mention its inflated budget.

We had the privilege of attending a performance by the renowned NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, conducted by Alan Gilbert. The acoustics of the Elbphilharmonie—designed by Herzog & de Meuron and Yasuhisa Toyota—are nothing short of extraordinary, making every note, every crescendo, and every delicate nuance a wonderous experience.

“The architect favored the seashell motif microshaping for the diffusing surface pattern, which were usually expected to create soft sound reflections. They were also used to eliminate the long path echoes. The depth of microshaping at each portion of wall and ceiling was defined through the acoustical test with a 1/10-scale physical model.”

The team go head-to-head

Not every hour was filled with such fine cultural moments—because life is about balance—so during a spare few hours we hit the Scalextric track in perhaps the biggest man-cave in Hamburg.