ME-Geithain K-series – an explanation of CARDIOID

Almost all loudspeakers are omni-directional at low frequencies, they radiate as much bass from the rear as they do from the front.

These low frequencies reflect from the walls and cause muddying of the bass-end as they add and subtract from the same frequencies coming from the front.

ME-Geithain’s “Cardioid” design (K-series monitors) cancels out the bass from the rear, so it only comes from the front.  This minimises reflections and results in a clear un-muddied bass-end.

The graph below shows the bass radiation pattern of the RL 901K monitor.

BASS CARDIOID

The “Bass Cardioid” technology was developed by Joachim Kiesler of ME-Geithain.  This is a mechanical solution which provides a loudspeaker with a directivity that even works at very low frequencies (where all other loudspeakers are omni-directional).  In principle it is an acoustic, or flow, resistor that results in permanent calcellation of low frequencies by phase interference that results in a non-symmetrical directivity with high rearward attenuation.  S0 the directivity at low frequencies is no longer spherical but is, instead, cardioid (like a cardioid microphone in reverse).

The advantage is that room reflections, which come from the rear of the loudspeaker and result in cancellation at the listening position, no longer occur.

The Bass Cardioid is an ideal tool that considerably facilitates loudspeaker positioning – it permits significantly smaller wall distances, which is especially helpful in small / multi-channel rooms that do not allow for loudspeaker to wall distances of over a metre.

Controlling Low Frequencies – An explanation of Cardioid – interview with ME-Geithain’s designer in 2002   (pdf)

An explanation of cardioid   (pdf)

The ME-Geithain Video

Sound-Link’s John Willett talks about ME-Geithain monitors and their “cardioid” response.  This video was recorded at the National Audio Show in 2015 and includes graphic illustrations of ME-Geithain’s unique “cardioid” response (the illustrations at the top of this page are screen-shots from this video):