Forest S 18.1

Precision in natural harmony

The tone of a voice, the shaping of a phrase, the decay of an instrument in space. Details like these create a convincing sense of the performers’ presence. We designed Forest S 18.1 to reproduce them faithfully, combining transparency with smoothness and an effortless delivery.Within the Forest series, the S 18.1 takes precision, neutrality and coherence further. It offers a closer insight into the recording while preserving the flow of the music and its full expression. The subtlety of an intimate performance and the energy of a large ensemble each find their place, true to the character of the recording.

A midrange that brings performers closer

A dedicated Seas midrange driver with an aluminium cone plays an important role in this design. Compared with Forest Classic 18.1, it covers a wider frequency range, with a lower crossover frequency between the bass and midrange.The choice of driver and the careful refinement of its integration with the other drivers serve an even, smooth presentation. Voices and instruments should retain their individual texture, tone and natural timbre. It is in this range that we seek a convincing sense of intimacy with the performance.The driver operates in a separate 3D-printed chamber reinforced with a mineral-polymer compound. The chamber’s construction and damping are integral to our work on midrange clarity.

Effortless transparency

High frequencies are reproduced by an AMT driver whose response extends higher than that of the Classic model. We make use of its capabilities through a carefully refined passive crossover and the precise integration of the complete system.For us, detail means revealing subtle information while preserving the proper balance of sound. Delicate decays, reverberation and nuances of articulation should remain audible without artificially emphasising the treble. This approach allows attentive listening to go hand in hand with hours of musical enjoyment.We combine a smooth presentation with the energy captured in the recording. A strong accent, the bite of an instrument or a sudden climax remain part of the performance. Our tuning is guided by fidelity to that performance, while reducing colouration introduced by the loudspeaker itself.

Dynamics and space

Aluminium-cone bass drivers provide the foundation for a sound in which power and clarity are equally important. We work to preserve distinctions in bass texture, control the decay of notes and achieve a seamless transition into the midrange.Attention to the drivers’ time and phase alignment guides the tuning of the entire loudspeaker. We aim for a stable soundstage, clearly defined depth and convincing placement of instruments whenever this information is present in the recording. The presentation should preserve the scale of the recording, from the intimacy of a single voice to the breadth of a large ensemble.

A design refined as a whole

The bass and midrange chambers use three types of damping material, including aramid fibers. Their selection is part of our work to optimise the drivers’ operating conditions and limit unwanted acoustic effects within the cabinet.The cabinet uses a layered construction combining plywood and MDF. The front baffle is made from 26 mm MDF, while three internal braces stiffen the structure. Additional 16 mm MDF side panels are bonded to the cabinet using a flexible adhesive. The materials, bracing and joints are selected for their contribution to rigidity and vibration damping.

The shared design of the Forest series

The front and rear panels are covered in vegan leather. The veneered sides are finished with hardwax oil, highlighting the grain of the wood. A 6 mm sheet of body-tinted glass completes the top of the cabinet.An aluminium terminal plate is integrated with a 3D-printed bass-reflex port. The loudspeaker rests on a 10 mm steel base fitted with adjustable, two-piece feet incorporating a bearing ball.Forest S 18.1 shares the design language of the Forest series. Its position in the range is defined primarily by its drivers and tuning, which further develop the transparency, smoothness and coherence of its sound.