Detailed Info about the Apogee Duetta Signature
Above: Original Duetta Signature
Below are some beautiful photo’s of completely restored Duetta Signature. New covers with piano-laquer finish, new Graz ribbons, new filters. Most of below photos kindly supplied by ThingMan. You can mail him at thingman@soundscapes.nu
Above: before restauration
Above: after restauration
Above: original crossover
Above: The improved passive filters. Job well done, wouldn’t you say?
For more Duetta Signature speaker inside and crossover pictures, see link below:
Duetta Signature Inside Pictures
These very speakers are now the property of my listening buddy JW and they’re set up in my listening room for extended evaluation. They wil be compared to Magnepan MG3.6R and MG20.7. An extended review, comparing 3 sets of Duetta Signature (including a refurbished set) can be found here:
Duetta Signature Extensive Review
Above: Under some circumstances you can see through the thin, panty-like cloth…
…but this is how original Duetta Signatures usually look
And this is how the refurbished Duetta Signature looks – much better don’t you agree? You only need to be careful with the fully exposed ribbons…
Generic Info
The second revision of the original Duetta was a visual and electrical redesign, the front lip of the Duetta cover was removed to give a tidier appearance, and sturdy aluminium feet were added. The crossover was redesigned to enhance the high frequency response, along with the addition of a three position mid/tweeter level switch.
According to reviewers the signature greatly improved upon the bass performance of the Duetta II and also had a clearer high frequencies and was less prone to sounding bass heavy.
When it was released the Signature offered exceptional performance to the lucky few who could afford it along with the necessary amplification.
It likes to be well clear of walls 3-4 feet from the back wall, and at least 1-2 feet from the side walls helps imaging greatly.
Specifications
1988-1992
Original Retail $4000
Height 150 cm
Width 72 cm
Impedance 3.2 – 4 ohms
Bass driver
Aluminium/Kapton panel
Midrange/Tweeter
Aluminium/Kapton (3 segment)
Max Sound Level
105dB
Sensitivity @ 3m
86dB
Frequency response
30Hz (-3dB) to over 20kHz
Crossover frequency (acoustic)
1kHz
Suggested amp power
100W (into 8 ohms) 200W (into 4 ohms) with ±16amps current
Weight
120lbs each
Finishes available
Light grey, Anthracite, Taupe, Faux Marble or Black Sand
DAX 3 (optional)
A DAX is a two channel Dedicated Active Crossover designed specifically to be coupled with the Diva, Duetta Signature and Caliper Signature, or Mini Grand and Studio Grand speakers. A DAX provides exceptional tuning flexibility which enables users to sculpt a tonal balance to meet their listening requirements whilst skipping part of the passive crossover components. The DAX will accomodate a wide range of preamplifier and amplifier characteristics. There were various DAX versions, click the link below for more info.
More Duetta Signature
Extensive Duetta Signature Review
Duetta Signature Speaker and Crossover Inside Pictures
More Apogee
Hi I have a pair of Apogee Duetta Signature’s that Jason Bloom himself had upgraded from Duetta’s to Signature’s etc.I have always thought there sound was superior to any other speaker I have heard and because Jason Bloom laid his hands on them I would love to hear what you believe I should do with them THANKs. My phone is 619-379-2211 in San Diego. GEORGE please call
They remain great speakers, and I would recommend keeping them! If they buzz or otherwise misbehave, have them restored. Graz still provides the ribbons, and he can provide details of the available installers.
I actually acquired a different pair DS after the “red and black ones”. I’ve had them fully restored, and I like them a lot.
Thanks for getting back to me. Would you be kind enough to text me at my cell, 619 379 2211 so I could send you pics of them and chat easier about them. They are now in their original boxes, I can only relay the reason I put them away was that seemed to slow down, for lack of a better word, ha. I had changed out my Mac 2105 and C 28 to a MC 602 and a Mac C 2200 tube preamp. Don’t know if that changed their perceived performance but that was 10 to 15 years ago!!!.I also remember that the ribbons had discolored a bit again for lack of a better word. I belive these speakers are somehow very SPECIAL because Jadon had personally upgraded them himself and they may well be the very 1st pair of Signature’s he produced since they were returned to me with the original wood cases and with a new color paint job but with the same base support as it’s original Duetta and not the new metal prong feet of a new Signature etc. They also have new Signature aluminum name plates versus their old Duetta name plate. WOULD you be kind enough to call me on my cell phone above, 619 379 2211. So I can text you pictures and possibly speak with you because I feel these speakers may well be very special obviously because Jason may have personally upgraded these speakers etc. You may well be the only person who can look at them internally etc to discover if they are indeed what I feel they are, very special, etc thank you
I was going to.mention this interesting fact about these pictures over the phone but to peak your interest, but here it is. Ha. My mother was a concert pianist and won the first Artie Mason Carter AWARD, one of the founders of the Hollywood Bowl. Before Jason Bloom refurbished my Duetta IIS my mother had listened to them but after they were returned she said they sounded much better and especially their new reproduction of the piano. She could not stop talking about how close they sounded like a real piano and she obviously would know…just an interesting side note. Thanks
I WILL TRY AGAIN. THE REASON I BELIEVE THESE ARE SPECIAL DUETTA SIGNATURE’S IS is that my mother was a concert pianist and won the Artie Mason Carter award who was one of the founders of the Hollywood Bowl. My mother knew what a piano should sound like and she was blown away when she heard my new Signature’s after listening to them before Jason updated them. I believe my pair may be the 1st pair of Signature’s he produced because they still have the normal lip on the bottom versus the Signature’s totally metal one. Would you be kind enough to phone me at 619 379 2211 so I could send you pics via text etc. Thank you George
Hi George, after many years, the foils become darker, more matte, and a little brownish, that’s normal. They can still sound great, but after 15 years will almost have lost some precision and clarity and always start exhibiting resonances at certain frequencies, the worst of which is the dreaded “buzz”, which follows loud bass impact. This is all addressed with a refoil.
Interesting to hear you have a special pair, upgraded by Hason himself. It’s very hard to tell the difference between the Duetta crossover and the Duetta Signature crossover. But my guess would be that you have a “standard” Duetta enclosure with unchanged ribbons, but with Signature crossover, which increased the treble output. If your MRTW foil has the bending point in the upper third section where it starts leaning back, you also have the Signature foil configuration.
I agree with your mother: Apogee treble and midrange is truly something special. To me, they sound very realistic. Big drums and toms also sound incredibly lifelike.
Hi George, Depending on the circumstances, comments are not immediately posted but require manual approval. I’m not sure what triggered this in your messages, but in any case, I have approved them so they appear online. It’s Christmas holiday time, meaning there are other priorities at the moment. I will read your messages later when I have a moment and will provide my feedback.