Exact 2 - High End Absorber
Exact 2 - Absorber - Set 4 pieces - Alto Extremo

HiFi accessories - High end absorbers - Made in Germany

Alto-Extremo from Marl has been developing and manufacturing audiophile absorbers since 2004, which have become firmly established in the hi-fi world - recommended by specialist dealers, praised by editors and appreciated by users on all five continents. The principle is consistent: not damping at any price, but a precisely coordinated mix of materials that dissipates vibration energy from the device in a controlled manner without coloring the character of the sound. The Exact MK II is the direct successor to the proven Exact 1 and continues its philosophy with a larger housing, an optimized mix of materials and refined resonance dissipation at the ball bearing - more compact than the large Alto Extremo models, but without the compromises in sound that one would normally have to accept in this price range.

The core feature of the Exact range is its three-part material mix of Delrin, bronze and stainless steel - three materials with fundamentally different acoustic properties which, when combined, achieve a significantly broader bandwidth of damping behavior than any single material could ever achieve. Delrin, a high-performance engineering plastic from precision mechanical engineering, is responsible for the actual body damping: it absorbs vibration energy without passing it on - and it is completely non-magnetic, which does not affect sensitive pickup systems and phono preamps. The bronze ball and the stainless steel puck direct the energy into and out of the body - a system that Alto-Extremo calls Lyd technology and has refined throughout its product range.

Delrin - chemically polyoxymethylene (POM) - is a thermoplastic high-performance plastic that was originally developed for precision mechanical applications: Gear wheels, bearings, guide systems in precision mechanics. Its acoustic properties make it particularly valuable for absorber applications: it has high mechanical rigidity combined with excellent internal damping - this means that it does not transmit vibrations like metal, but absorbs them more efficiently than rubber. Delrin is completely non-magnetic and chemically inert - it does not react with solder, paint surfaces or other materials typically found in hi-fi components. In the Alto-Extremo Exact MK II, Delrin forms the main body of the absorber and is therefore responsible for the actual energy dissipation.

The sonic character of the Exact MK II follows the overall claim of the Exact series: precise spatiality and differentiated dynamics. Where a simple rubber base tends to compress the mids and highs, making the sound somewhat less transparent, the Exact MK II retains the precision of the spatial imaging and at the same time removes the unrest caused by poorly damped standing vibrations. Instruments become more tangible, depth increases and even the quietest dynamic levels in quiet passages are reproduced more clearly. Stereo editor-in-chief Böde described this effect succinctly in a test with the Alto-Extremo Absorber: "The speakers played at a significantly different level - with more clearly defined instruments and considerably more nuanced sound progressions.

In practice, the following placement rules are recommended: The absorbers should be placed in the corners of the device - not under the existing device feet, but as a replacement for them or directly next to them. A level, stable base improves the effect considerably; the Exact MK II also achieves good results on glass or stone floors. Those using the M4 thread achieve a more direct coupling and therefore even more precise energy dissipation thanks to the fixed connection. Both are possible with three or four absorbers - four absorbers offer more stability, while three can enable a more even weight distribution for certain devices.

The Exact MK II is particularly effective under devices with sensitive analog stages and internal transformers: integrated amplifiers, preamps and CD players benefit the most because their internal mechanics and power supply transformers are themselves sources of mechanical energy that affect signal quality. The Exact MK II also performs an important function under compact loudspeakers: it interrupts the direct transmission of sound to the rack or subfloor and thus reduces acoustic feedback into the system. The 40 kg load capacity per absorber opens up a wide range of applications - even heavy integrated amplifiers or monoblocks can be set up without any problems.

Within the Alto-Extremo range, the Exact MK II is positioned between the smaller Exact 1 and the larger Lyd and LSP models. Those who want more after trying out the Exact MK II will find the Lyd I or Lyd II to be the logical further development with additional Lyd technology and an external damping ring - an element that allows the user to finely adjust the coupling between the device and the surface. The Exact range is delivered in a high-quality wooden box - a detail that also underlines the brand's high-end claim in terms of presentation.