TeXtreme, Carbon Fiber, Kevlar, Loudspeakers.

Is textreme the same as kevlar ?

While both Textreme and Kevlar create strong and stiff end products, they are not the same. Textreme is the process of manufacturing composites, made of fibres that are spread into a thin, flat tow and then combined with a resin or other matrix material to form a composite structure, while Kevlar is a brand name to a type of fibre made from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide - also known as ‘Aramid fibres’.

Mixing fibres

Spandex figured out how to weave polymers and cotton fibres together. Similarly, Oxeon, a Swedish company that specialises in advanced textile materials, figured out that when fibres are spread into a thin, flat tow and then combined with a resin (or other additive materials) can lead to a variety of strength, stiffness and weight of the final composites. This gives them an edge in manufacturing high-end composite materials with properties that can be tailored to their clients needs.

what is kevlar?

Kevlar fibres are known for their high strength and stiffness, as well as their ability to withstand high temperatures. They are often used in a variety of applications, most notably as bullet-resistant vests, but bear in mind that Kevlar only refers to the fibres themselves and not the end products (fabrics, vests, ropes, cables).

Kevlar was first synthesised in 1964 by Stephanie Kwolek at the Dupont laboratories in Wilmington, Delaware in the United States. The high-strength material was first used commercially in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires.

Stephanie Kwolek (Source: TIME Magazine)

Are kevlar and carbon fibre the same thing?

Yes, they are both composite fibres, but not made the same way. Kevlar is a type of fibre made from aramids. Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is a type of fibre made from carbon atoms that are bonded together in a long chain to form a crystal-like structure.

Both are known for their high strength and stiffness, as well as their ability to withstand high temperatures.

Kevlar is often used in a variety of applications, including bullet-resistant vests, cut-resistant gloves, and ropes and cables.

Carbon fibre is lighter than Kevlar, yet possesses the same stiffness and is often used in applications where weight is critical, in industries like aerospace components, sporting goods, and automotive parts.

how is Carbon Fibre used in Loudspeakers?

Loudspeaker manufacturers also have dabbled into using carbon fibre in lieu of paper cones especially for mid-woofers and subwoofers to mixed results.

Some audiophiles claim carbon fibre cones sound flat, artificial and harsh, compared to the warmth of paper cones, while others say Carbon Fibre cones sound cleaner and punchier than their paper counterparts.

how is TeXtreme used in Loudspeakers?

Loudspeaker manufacturers, such as SB Acoustics are integrating this new composite material into audiophile-grade transducers. Their highly acclaimed Satori line of drivers just got better with the introduction of their TeXtreme tweeters, midwoofers and woofers.

According to reviews, the drivers "...has noticeably higher micro-detail, better reveals the micro-texture of sound, which is especially evident on bowed string and wind instruments, when all the smallest air flows, vibrations and bow friction are heard"

You may learn more about SB Acoustics' Textreme driver series here, or book a listening session in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to experience the clarity of Satori TeXtreme speakers!

Artisan Acoustics Pte Ltd distributes SB Acoustics drivers and speaker kits in Malaysia and Singapore.

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