Unison Research MAX 1 2-Way Floorstanding Loudspeaker at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The MAX 1 is a 2-way floorstanding loudspeaker from Unison Research (Treviso, Italy), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Engineered in parallel with the larger MAX 2 and sharing the same design philosophy, the MAX 1 optimizes sensitivity and impedance for pairing with Unison Research valve amplifiers while delivering a compact footprint suited to a broader range of listening rooms. Its 12-inch woofer and 1-inch titanium compression driver achieve a sensitivity of 94 dB at 2.83 Vrms/1m, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, and a frequency response of 30-20,000 Hz through a front-firing bass reflex enclosure with closeable ports for near-wall positioning.

Compact High-Efficiency Design for Valve Amplifier Pairing

The MAX 1 is a purpose-built partner for low-powered tube amplification. At 94 dB sensitivity, it requires only 10 watts to reach realistic listening levels in small to medium rooms, while accepting amplifiers up to 200 watts RMS without distress. The 12-inch woofer operates in a front-firing reflex enclosure of substantial internal volume despite its relatively modest external dimensions -- 95 cm tall by 35 cm wide by 45 cm deep -- making it genuinely compact for a loudspeaker of its bass capability. Two front-firing reflex ducts simplify room placement by removing the rear-wall clearance requirement common to rear-ported designs. When the speaker must be positioned very close to a rear wall, the reflex ports can be closed to convert the enclosure to a sealed-box alignment, reducing but controlling bass output and maintaining sonic integrity.

Crossover Architecture and Driver Integration

The MAX 1 crosses over at 2,000 Hz, assigning the 12-inch woofer a low-pass filter at 12 dB per octave and the 1-inch titanium compression driver a high-pass filter at 12 dB per octave -- a symmetrical 12/12 architecture that differs from the MAX 2's asymmetrical 12/6 topology. The higher crossover frequency of 2,000 Hz (compared to 800 Hz in the MAX 2) means the woofer handles a narrower high-frequency band, potentially reducing cone-breakup artifacts in the upper midrange. The 1-inch titanium compression driver manages the complete treble range from 2 kHz upward with the efficiency and detail retrieval characteristic of compression-loaded formats. Both speakers share the home theater compatibility of the MAX 2: two pairs of MAX 1 cabinets (front and rear) create a complete surround system without requiring a center channel or subwoofer.

Key Features

• 94 dB Sensitivity: High efficiency makes the MAX 1 compatible with low-powered valve amplifiers from 10 watts and suitable for use with amplifiers up to 200 watts RMS.
• 12-Inch Woofer: A large-format woofer provides bass extension to 30 Hz within a compact enclosure footprint of 35 cm width.
• 1-Inch Titanium Compression Driver: High-efficiency tweeter section crosses over at 2,000 Hz with symmetrical 12 dB/octave slopes for seamless driver integration.
• Dual Front-Firing Reflex Ports: Two forward-facing ports ease room placement; ports can be closed for near-wall positioning.
• 8-Ohm Stable Impedance: A nominal 8-ohm impedance presents an easy, predictable load for both tube and solid-state amplification.
• Home Theater Compatible: Two pairs can serve as a complete front and rear speaker system without a center channel or subwoofer.
• Italian Manufacturing: Designed and built in Treviso, Italy, within the Unison Research / A.R.I.A. Srl facility.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Unison Research MAX 1?

The Unison Research MAX 1 is a 2-way floorstanding loudspeaker manufactured in Treviso, Italy, using a 12-inch woofer and a 1-inch titanium compression driver with a 2,000 Hz crossover frequency. It achieves a sensitivity of 94 dB at 2.83 Vrms/1m, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, and a frequency response of 30-20,000 Hz. It is designed for high-efficiency valve amplifier pairing and features dual front-firing reflex ports that can be closed for near-wall use.

How does the MAX 1 compare to the MAX 2?

The MAX 1 uses a 12-inch woofer and crosses over at 2,000 Hz, achieving 94 dB sensitivity and dimensions of 95 x 35 x 45 cm. The MAX 2 uses a 15-inch woofer with a lower 800 Hz crossover, achieving 96 dB sensitivity, with larger dimensions of 101 x 43.5 x 54 cm and a weight of 60 kg versus the MAX 1's 37 kg. The MAX 1 is the better choice for smaller rooms or where a slimmer cabinet is needed; the MAX 2 is suited to larger spaces where maximum sensitivity and deepest bass extension are priorities.

Can the MAX 1 ports be closed for near-wall placement?

Yes. Unison Research provides the option to close the two front-firing reflex ports on the MAX 1 when the speaker must be placed close to a rear wall. Closing the ports converts the enclosure to a sealed-box alignment, which extends the placement flexibility at the cost of some deep bass output. This is a practical solution for rooms where furniture or architectural constraints prevent ideal speaker positioning.

What amplifiers work best with the MAX 1?

The MAX 1's 94 dB sensitivity makes it ideal for Unison Research's own valve integrated amplifiers, including the Simply 845, Sinfonia, and Performance/Anniversary models. A 10-watt single-ended amplifier is sufficient for small to medium rooms. The MAX 1 also accepts amplifiers up to 200 watts RMS, so solid-state partnering amplifiers are equally viable. The stable 8-ohm impedance poses no challenge for any amplifier topology.

Where can I buy the Unison Research MAX 1 in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Unison Research MAX 1 is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Unison Research dealer with expert staff who can advise on amplifier matching and room suitability. Contact Vinyl Sound for availability and audition appointments.