Amazing Grace

Many loudspeaker designers have despaired over building a loudspeaker which achieves awe-inspiring and magnificent sonic performance. This was not the case for the Audio Physic masterminds Joachim Gerhard and Manfred Diestertich. The designer team rose to the occasion and strove to build as slim and graceful a loudspeaker as at all possible. Far from being yet another anachronistic loudspeaker like so many sonic dinosaurs who find their last chance of survival in the „Jurassic Park“ of some HiFi magazine reference list, the Kronos was designed as a visual stunner to match and complement the stylish interior of modern and traditional homes as well as conquer the hearts of the most sophisticated audiophiles. Audio Physic went a long way to finding the perfect blend of visual and sonic appeal.

As a result, the Kronos is equipped with four 10'' woofers which are mounted on the opposite sides of the woofer chamber. This enabled us to design a trim-looking baffle with no compromise in the low frequency reproduction. The woofers are arranged effectively back-to-back in two separate closed blocks so as to avoid interactions. We had to dig deep into our tool kit for solutions on how to avoid the loudspeaker sounding thin or fragile. Despite its graceful curve and delicate shape, the Kronos was intended to deliver a full natural bloom and reproduce every single note and nuance of sound from the lowest to the highest octave. Therefore, two 6'' drivers arrayed in the sides of the cabinet and only operating in the frequency range of 250Hz to 500Hz were added to support the front-firing coax unit. Despite its slim silhouette, the Kronos produces an incredibly substantial sound which otherwise only occurs with a large baffle design.

In addition, the unique cabinet architecture combines all the advantages of a smaller speaker such as excellent radiation behaviour with the full-range performance of a large speaker. The outcome is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Since being founded in 1985, Audio Physic has achieved something which only a few German loudspeaker manufacturers have ever succeeded: an excellent reputation as a leading international loudspeaker manufacturer. Joachim Gerhard – founder of the German manufacturer based in the idyllic town of Brilon – insisted on setting up key performance criteria which are neither subject to national listening characteristics nor influenced by short-lived trends from the very beginning. Audio Physic's first goal is to bring the live experience into your listening room with stunning accuracy, down to the finest detail. Hence our credo no loss of fine detail which has been at the heart of every music lover all over the world.

Even for a renowned company like Audio Physic a new chapter is about to unfold as the Kronos loudspeaker takes central stage. The no-compromise, partly-active three-and-a-half-way design of the loudspeaker not only lifts the entire system that decisive bit closer to the pure live experience, it also represents a fundamental shift away from conventional loudspeaker concepts. Three times reviewed – three times the Kronos earned the pole position in top-class charts.

More than ever before, we at Audio Physic have been challenged to design such a system since we have broadened our horizons over the years and come up with a loudspeaker technology based on self-developed coaxial tweeter-midrange drivers. Our highly sophisticated and unique know-how gained over the decades in loudspeaker manufacturing has enabled us to use trend-setting active technology in our four 10" long-throw woofers where the roomgain can be comfortably set by remote control.

In the end our novel approach, which was courageous from inception to execution, has lead to the creation of a truly unique loudspeaker which brings magnificently fine detailing to your listening room without turning it into a room full of audio equipment. The fabulous Kronos swiftly and completely conquered the hearts of the test crew of the stereoplay HiFi magazine: „Despite its slim and graceful build, the Kronos paints a sonic picture of overwhelming beauty and impressive size“.

Kronos Veneer

	Audio Physic veneers at a glance
Ebony

Kronos Design

Point Source

In conventional loudspeaker systems, a selection of drivers is provided which operate in the ranges available on different frequencies. Such an arrangement leads to a series of single sound sources which, in turn, lead to shifts in space and time; an effect which does not conform well to the ideal of natural music reproduction provided by a point source. The Kronos as the flagship of our product range is a point source design. However, such a design is difficult to achieve and no existing system has met our high requirements to date.

Time and again we went the extra mile and spent many years of research on the development of an elaborate and no-compromise coaxial construction featuring a 6.5" cone midrange driver combined with a ringradiator suspended in its centre. It was this tweeter which persuaded the reviewers of stereoplay to write: „it is the best tweeter in the world we have ever come across in terms of broadband sound and dynamics.“

The use of SSC (String-Suspension-Concept) technology based on carbon strings reduces the influence of the midrange driver on the tweeter to a minimum.

Decoupling System

Decoupling the driver units from the cabinet has always been a high priority in the design process. It was just as well that Audio Physic could draw on the profound knowledge of chief designer Manfred Diestertich who invented and implemented the SSC system.

The woofer enclosure is heavily braced and serves as a basis for the equally rigid mid-treble unit. It rests on perfectly matched SSC components which significantly improve the performance conditions of each driver. The enclosure is produced by using a patented sandwich technology in order to eliminate the risk of vibrations. As a result, the Kronos is capable to pass through storm and tempest and then bring a sonic feeling of unequalled calm and serenity.

Each single note seems to emanate from nothing, and never before has the marriage of crystal-clear sound and fluid transparency been so harmonious.

Partly-active Configuration

One of the last steps in the long process of designing an ultra-extended and linear loudspeaker was the implementation of an active woofer configuration. This novel approach activates awe-inspiring dynamic reserves which literally swept even the most experienced test reviewers off their feet and led to emotional outbursts such as „elemental forces“ „earthquake“, „Wow!“ and a breathless „Aaaaaaah!“ (Audio 6/03) as well as comments such as ?snare drums shaken by drumfire and unbelievable blares of raw trumpet sound? (stereoplay 8/03), to name but a few. In other words, the amplifiers of your stereo equipment can focus on the detailed, precise and transparent reproduction in the mid and high frequency range while the four integrated amplifiers, each capable of more than 250 W per channel and especially useful as a power source for every single woofer, take over the low frequencies of the woofers. Audio Physic’s new flagship is not only intended to show off its spectacular sonics but also to deliver an utterly precise sound at a level of sophistication unheard of to date. The test crew of stereoplay were also able to confirm this: „It is not only that every single note from the Kronos sounded crystal-clear and precisely correct, also each instrument could be clearly identified and precisely located in the listening room. It seemed that we could touch them and feel in their full force.“ All of the listeners, reviewers and guests alike, were left spellbound and in awe by the outstanding performance of the Kronos. „Isn't it much better than anything we have encountered to date?“, asked someone.

Roomgain Adjustment

Excellent test reports are the salt in the soup of every loudspeaker manufacturer. However, the question is how they benefit you as the prospective owner of your dream loudspeaker since such reports are usually based on tests carried out in acoustically damped and highly optimised test rooms. It has always been Audio Physic's first goal to bring the live experience back to your listening room with stunning accuracy, down to the finest detail. However we do not wish to interfere with the ambience you have created in your listening room and that is why we are of the opinion that the perfect loudspeaker which fulfils all your sonic requirements must be matched to your listening room - and not the other way around. In order to facilitate the set-up of the loudspeaker, level and frequency response can be easily adjusted by remote control. In some cases less can be more. There is no use in setting the audible frequency range down to 20Hz in a small listening room as this only results in an unpleasant booming sound. With the Kronos, born from a stroke of genius, we have created a loudspeaker which seamlessly blends into every listening room from the most spacious and sumptuous suite to the smallest living room. The Kronos has never been designed just as a luxury item for the upper ten thousand but as a top-flight loudspeaker capable of mesmerising and enchanting all true music lovers worth their salt.

The Kronos –
An Audiophile’s Dream Come True

The concept of the Kronos has improved over time where the result is now vintage Audio Physic captured in the unique blend of seamless sound reproduction, superlative engineering, unparalleled performance and easy adjustment. The emotional and captivating sound sensation of the Kronos is nearly enough to place it in a league of its own, however if you also add the extremely powerful yet controlled intensity of its elemental force, then the Kronos outreaches far beyond any other loudspeaker.

Technical data

Height	1300 mm / 51.2"
Width	360 mm / 14.2"
Depth	600 mm / 23.6"
Required Space Width x Depth	500x750 mm / 19.7x29.5"
Weight	120 kg
Recommended amplifier power	40-400 W
Impedance	4 Ohm
Frequency range	10 Hz - 40 kHz
Sensitivity	91 dB

Features and Specs

Reviews

stereoplay 08/2003

Wahre Größe von Holger Biermann

Klangliche Größe geht bei Lautsprechern in der Regel mit physischer einher. Nicht bei der Audio Physic Kronos. Trotz relativ graziler Statur malt sie Klangbilder von beeindruckender Schönheit und Größe.

Ein sagenhafter Bass, eine Pegelfestigkeit, die man bislang nur von Profi-Boxen kannte, und eine Räumlichkeit, die Staunen macht. Es gibt Schallwandler, die in Einzelbereichen etwas besser sein mögen. Doch unterm Strich ist die Kronos die „kompletteste“ Box in stereoplays Rang & Namens-Liste

Klang: Absolute Spitzenklasse
Gesamturteil: Sehr gut
Preis/Leistung: Sehr gut

Feel it – Audio 06/2003

Audio Physic Kronos

Oh my! The new ultra-high-end loudspeakers of the fabulous German manufacturer Audio Physic will leave other top-range producers in utter awe at its grandeur. Here comes the moment of truth. The finished Kronos is the most emotional and captivating loudspeaker ever built. An exclusive test report.

»With the Kronos a dream has come true. Due to its perfect omnidirectional behaviour coupled with an enormous bandwidth and unrestrained dynamics, the Kronos fills your heart with passionate, beautiful, heart-felt and emotional music.«

Test result: Reference Class
Sound: Outstanding
Practical test note: Outstanding, Grade A

Image Hifi 05/2003

Audi Physic Kronos von Dirk Sommer

Die Kronos ist für mich der stimmigste und ausgereifteste Lautsprecher in der Geschichte von Audio Physic. Joachim Gerhards und Manfred Diestertichs Meisterwerk leistet im Bassbereich Außergewöhnliches und verwöhnt mit einer schier unglaublich großzügigen Raumdarstellung - wenn der Tonträger dies hergibt. Und die tonale Abstimmung garantiert, dass die Mehrzahl aller Scheiben zu einem grandiosen Genuss gerät.

Ein wahrer Traumlautsprecher zum entsprecheneden Preis!

High-End Report 09/2005

DN 21st September · AP 25th September
A profile (High-End Report)
Speaker systems · by Lubomír Vlk

AUDIO PHYSIC KRONOS

The large-volume floor-standing Krokos speaker system is a current flagship of German audiophile’s Audio Physic company founded in 1985 by designer Joachim Gerhard. It may not be even right to call this huge three and half way system a flagship, but a battle flagship instead. This is a monument from both volume and sound viewpoint.

High-End Report :: 21st September 2005

Czech/english Review
PDF 1,8 MB

Kronos :: Light Years Ahead

The Hour of Truth

Kronos: Father of Zeus
German Duden Dictionary
edition 21, 1996

Kronos: „A masterpeace!“
Image HiFi Award 2004

Kronos: In a world class of its own
stereoplay 8/2003

Kronos: „The Audio Physic Kronos is a milestone in the history of the German-based manufacturer as well as in the long history of German loudspeaker design.“ Audio 6/2003

Kronos: „A dream come true –
and at a price.“ Image Hifi 5/2003

Kronos Seitenansicht

Slim Tower: State-of-the-art technology lead to the design of a narrow baffle where excellent radiation behaviour is combined with full-range sound performance. The four „XXL“ woofers are mounted back-to-back on the opposite sides of the woofer chamber in two separate blocks (left).

Koaxial-Mittel-Hochtöner

String Skill: Chief engineer Manfred Diestertich, inventor of the SSC system, is a vital part of the designer team. A great deal of his though went – as it was the case with the coaxial mid-treble unit - into the design in order to reduce vibrations.

Krono-logy of Success

Uhrwerk Meticulous planning and step-by-step implementation was required in order to design such an inarguably phenomenal loudspeaker. First of all we established the key factors of our concept. We implemented state-of-the art design features strongly influenced by a distillation of our experience gained from Audio Physic’s previous flagships such as the outrageously elaborate Medea and Cerubin. Here again the well-versed designer team of company-founder Joachim Gerhard and designer Manfred Diestertich accomplished their ambitious goal and helped it on road to success. Every single step was painstakingly studied and executed, and now the time and effort spent is being rewarded as the Kronos is being highly acknowledged and praised in the press.

Kronos Schnittskizze 1

Chamber Music: In order to avoid cabinet vibration or driver interaction having a negative impact on the sound quality, the designer team divided the computer-refined Kronos into a number of separate cells.

Kronos Schnittskizze 2