Goldmund's take:
In audio more than any other domain, time is of the essence. A proper time alignment is crucial in what we call the Recognition Factor, which is the ability of our brain to recognize a sound as real (high recognition factor) vs. reproduced (low recognition factor).
The time alignment technology used in Proteus is called the Leonardo Time Correction. In a system that does not use time correction the listener’s brain concentrates on reconstructing the time alignment of a sound that it perceives as un-natural (time distortion does not exist in nature).
In a system that includes a Leonardo configuration, this action is performed by the audio system itself, leaving the brain focus on the music itself and on the true emotion that a completely natural sound brings to each passionate music listener.
A Leonardo configuration is a digital file used by the Goldmund processor. The file’s parameters are calculated based on the speaker’s technical specifications. All recent Goldmund speakers function with Leonardo configurations as part of the Proteus technology.
E. The Proteus Speaker Modeling Software: The Total Correction
During the last 10 years, one of Goldmund’s greatest achievements has been the creation of Proteus, its Mathematical Modeling Software capable not only of designing perfect speakers out of any enclosure shape but also of integrating the results in a room, even for multi-channel. Some traditional audiophile speakers may be assembled with the best drivers in the best enclosure, without sounding lifelike at all. Most of the problems are with the crossover and the low frequency tuning. If properly designed, the crossover is supposed to avoid major amplitude accidents in the speaker frequency response. Some may even achieve a decent phase response with acrobatic passive crossover design (detrimental to the “Acoustical Grounding” anyhow as we have seen before). But the major distortion created by the crossover remains the time distortion and this cannot be corrected in a passive crossover. It requires working in the digital domain, with access to mathematical modeling software. Thanks to Proteus, and thanks to the digital DSP crossover used in all the Goldmund Standalone Speakers, all forms of distortion can be systematically eliminated. Using “Leonardo”, a method developed especially by Goldmund, the Time distortion can be neutralized. But also, both amplitude and phase response accidents of the global speaker, usually due to its shape, its port tuning etc... can be corrected with an extreme precision.
The Result: For the first time, a speaker totally corrected in amplitude, phase and time can be produced. The audible effect is staggering of vividness, and the recognition factor highly improved (this factor concerns the ability of the brain to recognize a sound as real vs. reproduced. It is highly influenced by the alignment of frequencies that, in nature, reach your ear at the same time but that are not properly aligned when any sound is reproduced). In addition, thanks to Proteus, more elaborate shape or different construction can be introduced, the final result being maintained unchanged.
F. Additional Possibilities: The Tuning Of The Room
Tuning the acoustic response of a room is a necessity in many home installations. Often installed in a living room, the system acoustics are far from perfect. Achieving some corrections with acoustic materials or accessories remains possible but then forget the “Wife Acceptance”. With the Goldmund Standalone Speaker, an internal powerful DSP circuit is integrated in the speaker, providing many possibilities of correction that can be calculated by Proteus.
The Result: A perfect system in a perfect room was something requesting extreme acoustical treatment and remaining imperfect. By using Proteus and a Goldmund Standalone Speaker, it is now possible to install it without major constraints for your décor choices. Mixing hidden and visible speakers also provides the possibility to achieve good-looking multi-channel systems for film or concert in a living room.