The Morel Integra Design
Integra point-source speaker designs are one of many technologies synonymous with the Morel brand. Found on the Hybrid Integra, Tempo Ultra Integra and in the new Virtus Nano Integra shallow-mount speakers, the Integra design provides audible acoustical benefits and unsurpassed installation flexibility. Let’s look at how the unique point-source design benefits music enthusiasts of all genres.
The Point-Source Speaker Philosophy
In a conventional coaxial speaker design, the tweeter sits an inch or more above the base of the woofer cone. This distance results in sound from each driver reaching your ears at different times. Though minute, this mismatch in arrival time causes phase issues and unpredictable frequency response around the crossover point where both speakers are reproducing music. Coaxial speaker systems that do not have a low-pass filter on the woofer exaggerate this unwanted instability even further.
The Integra design places the tweeter at the base of the woofer cone, rather than above it. Sound radiates from both sources simultaneously. The result is smooth and natural frequency response through the crossover frequency region.
Integra Eliminates Obstruction
Many coaxial designs feature a relatively large tweeter positioned in front of the woofer. The tweeter can deflect sound emanating from the woofer. This interference causes the frequency response of the system to vary based on the angle between the speaker and the listener. The Integra design has no negative effect on the woofer. The woofer cone can operate as an unobstructed piston to produce predictable and natural sound in all installation locations – on-axis, or off.
Integra designs feature a waveguide (or horn) integrated into the tweeter mounting assembly. The waveguide improves the dispersion characteristics of the tweeter, allowing it to sound equally impressive off-axis as when listened to straight on. Additionally, the height of the waveguide helps to prevent the high-frequency energy from the tweeter from interacting with the woofer cone. This interaction causes intermodulation distortion and degrades the quality of the sound.
Passive Crossover Network Design
The fixed position of the woofer and tweeter allow the engineering team at Morel to create passive crossover networks tuned for predictable performance in all installations. In component speaker sets, design choices are made regarding the proximity of the tweeter to the woofer and the intended listening angle relationship. Integra passive crossover networks are truly one-size-fits-all, with no drawbacks or limitations. Installed in a door, dash, kick panel or parcel shelf, an Integra speaker’s performance is predictable in all applications because the relationship between the speakers is constant.
The Physical Benefits of Integra
In most installations, technicians mount new speakers in factory locations. These locations require that the speaker balance mounting depth requirements with woofer excursion capability. Likewise, speakers with front-mounted tweeters often interfere with the factory grille. The Integra design eliminates the forward protrusion of the tweeter to make installations easier in OEM locations.
Top-Down Technology
Morel’s flagship point-source solution is the amazing Hybrid Integra series. Available in 4-, 5.25- and 6.5-inch designs, these speakers establish the reference for a multi-driver design in a single chassis. The impressive Tempo Ultra Integra series adds dedicated 5×7 and 6×9-inch applications with similar technologies to the Hybrid Integra models. The slightly smaller voice coils, reduced tweeter diameter and simpler crossover design make these speakers an impressive upgrade to any factory sound system at a very accessible price point.
New for 2018, the Virtus Nano Integra 602 defines how great a shallow speaker can sound while providing the performance benefits of the Integra technology. The 602 features an incredibly shallow 0.67-inch mounting depth and the same large 2.1-inch diameter voice coil as the Hybrid Integra speakers. Crafted using the knowledge and experience of the Morel engineering team, the Virtus Nano Integra 602 is not only the shallowest 6.5-inch point-source car audio speaker to date, it offers performance that puts many conventional designs to shame.
Zero Point Integra (Z.P.I.) Technology is one of the key features of the new Virtus Nano Integra. This new, patent-pending design aligns the voice coils of the woofer and tweeter on the same plane for perfect phase alignment. Z.P.I. Technology allows both voice coils to share the same magnet and is fundamental in allowing the speaker to be as shallow as it is.
If you are in the market for an exceptional musical experience, visit your local authorized Morel dealer to audition the various Integra speaker solutions and find a solution that is compatible with your vehicle.
