Apogee Full Range (c. ?)

A full-range ribbon loudspeaker with trapezoidal woofer panels and field-replaceable foil drivers.

Overview

The Apogee Full Range Ribbon Speaker, made by Apogee Acoustics, is a full-range ribbon loudspeaker designed for high-fidelity audio reproduction. It features a trapezoidal woofer panel and a steel framework, built to support its unique driver configuration. The speaker can be configured for either 1 Ohm or 4 Ohm operation, with user reports indicating superior sound when strapped for 1 Ohm. It is capable of being used in a three-way configuration, as noted in the manual, allowing for expanded system integration.

Specifications

Impedance	Could be strapped for 1 Ohm or 4 Ohm operation.
Crossover	Full -range ribbon speaker with seamless cross- over.
Woofer panel shape	Trapezoidal.
Framework material	Steel.

Design

The Apogee Full Range uses full-range ribbon driver technology, incorporating foil midrange and tweeter components (FR-MRTW). This design eliminates the need for a traditional crossover network by using a seamless transition across frequencies. The speaker’s construction centers on a steel framework, providing structural support for the tension-sensitive ribbon elements.

Market

The ribbons in the Apogee Full Range were known to be very fragile, leading to high field service and repair rates. Replacement foil midrange and tweeter units (FR-MRTW) are available as tight-tolerance reproductions of the original parts, priced at $645.00 and including stainless steel bridges. Owner sentiment is strong, with some calling them the best speakers they’ve ever heard, though some found the bass response overly dominant.