Estelon X Diamond User manual

Designed
by Alfred Vassilkov
Serial Number
Model X Diamond

Your ESTELON loudspeakers have passed our quality control:
– Technical test passed.
Harry Jürgenson
Engineer,
Alfred & Partners
– Listening test passed.
Alfred Vassilkov
Head of Research and Development,
Alfred & Partners

Table of Contents
1. Intoduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
1.1. Alfred & Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
1.2. Estelon Model X Diamond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
2. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3. Unpacking Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
4. Set-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
4.1. Initial positioning in the room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
4.2. Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
4.3. Break-in period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
4.4. Recommendations from Alfred Vassilkov . . . . . . . . . . .15
5. Taking care of your Estelon speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
6. Warranty – Technical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Alfred & Partners
Alfred & Partners, the Tallinn based design studio and think
tank, is not simply a business but a dedication, a dedication to a single,
heartfelt idea – the production of Instruments, Sound Diffusers,
Sculptures – capable of unveiling the rich, emotional tapestry of music
in a personally involving way.
For more than 25 years, the designer and founder,
Alfred Vassilkov, has been designing loudspeakers – achieving
success both in design and patents – with developed products, in Eu-
rope. A decision was made – that to establish his own brand based on
his gathered experience and knowledge.
Such dedication carries with it the implicit responsibility of a
wholly uncompromising approach to audio design. Pride of crafts-
manship shares equal footing with sonic innovation. Their visionary
achievements, their quest for musical truth, continuously pushing the
envelope – the result is a product line that offers unrivalled musical
revelation packaged in designs of unparalleled beauty.
The designer and founder, Alfred Vassilkov

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More importantly, we hope that their efforts can, in some small
way, offer a key that assists listeners in unlocking the vast structure
of emotion that is – music.
•••
For Estelon, the new brand, the visionary development started
in 2006 when Alfred started to analyze materials and technologies
for producing cabinets with streamlined shapes that could not only
reproduce the best sound but also assimilate into an interior, with
their elegant “sculpture” look. Years of work had led him to a propri-
etary, crushed marble based composite. The material having excellent
stiffness and damping factors, as well as technical features that allowed
for the creation of cabinets with a design that enhances the sound
reproduction capability of the system as a whole.
The special E-lon shape of the loudspeaker creates ideal condi-
tions for sound reproduction. Its rounded form excludes corner reflec-
tions. A narrowing of the tweeter area – the front panel sculpted – to
achieve 0 phase at the listening point, while its larger radiuses main-
tain their excellent influences on the direction diagram. The cabinet
becomes wider and deeper at its base for both stability and to allow for
the volume required for effective low frequency reproduction.
Finally, every loudspeaker produced must pass Alfred & Part-
ners extreme level of quality control – each pair of loudspeakers is
assembled, tuned and then listened to individually. AND lastly, all the
products are handmade in Estonia, to their exacting standards.

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1.2. Estelon Model X Diamond
The Estelon X-Diamond – a process of evolution from within.
The result of a reassessment, a further refinement and extension of the
performance goals already in place for the much praised Model XA –
Alfred Vassilkov’s first tribute to the Estelon brand and the birth of a
new approach to loudspeaker design. Chief among the physical design
elements continues to be the use of the E-lon cabinet form. This cabinet
form, having been developed and honed over a five year period, its design
and construction allow it to easily couple with even difficult room acous-
tics. Our respect for the Model XA and its design continue and remain a
constant source of inspiration. An evolution – the X-Diamond shares only
a common exterior cabinet design with the Model XA, where only the
outside body dimensions remain the same. New are the diamond tweet-
er, mid-woofer, crossover – employing premium quality components in a
separate chamber, utilizing state of the art carbon fiber resonant control
and isolation technology. In addition changes to the cabinet’s inner layer
constrained layer construction, and the dampening materials employed.
Many years have passed since the genesis of the Estelon project
and much has been learned during this visionary period – embody-
ing all the visionary achievements – the roots and the choices that
have evolved into the Estelon sound. With the X-Diamond, the most
beloved element of Estelon products has been reaffirmed – Simplicity.
The “minimal” electrical second order crossovers, the raffinated mix of
other elements as drivers and acoustic enclosure, has allowed Estelon
to find again, trusted and confirmed qualities, a rediscovering and
refinement of old but never obsolete design principles and technolog-
ical principals that are the true expression of Estelon’s sonic esthetics.
The X-Diamond is far more than simply speaker drivers in
a cabinet. It is a genuine musical instrument in its own right. One that,
when carefully integrated into system and room, is capable of connect-
ing the listener to music in a most profound way. Everything expressed
naturally and simply with balance, order and measure. It possessed an

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eminently musical temperament that is immediately evident upon
your first and each subsequent listening experience.
Emotional. Involving. Engaging. A simple perspective of
balance – perfect, captivating, providing exceptionally wide imaging,
deep sound staging and thrilling life like dynamics, while building and
delivering expectations of refined power and listening pleasure.
Cabinet Design – The Estelon X-Diamond continues the inte-
gration of the many lessons learned from Alfred Vassilkov’s more than
25 years designing loudspeakers. The E-lon shape – choices of material
and time-honored construction techniques, a special casting process,
the use of a proprietary marble based composite and the extensive use
of sub-structural stiffening spars breaks up resonance nodes and creates
an internal acoustic chamber of non-parallel sidewalls that is all but im-
mune to unwanted standing waves that can cause a colored sound. The
X-Diamond continues this tradition, while employing selected changes
to the cabinets’ inner layer constrained layers as well as the selected
dampening materials. During the final hand-assembly process each
speaker is individually tuned to maintain uniformity from unit to unit.
Unusual in its defined form, the results of this cabinet construction al-
lows it to be easily couple with even difficult room acoustics – allowing
bass to roll effortlessly into the listening space. Here, the form is more
tightly tailored and the reduction in overall scale works to its advantage
allowing it to be easily integrated into a variety of listening spaces.
Transducers – The drive units employed are the highest expres-
sion of transducer design. The 280 mm German made Accuton bass driver
uses a special ultra stiff ceramic – sandwich dome, with an FEA optimized
underhung motor design with 55 mm titanium voice coil the former guar-
antees very low energy storage and good heat transfer. The mid-bass unit,
from Accuton, is a sophisticated design with particular attention paid to the
titanium voice coil former and the surrounding air gap to provide maximum
freedom from dynamic compression in conjunction the use of a special ul-
tra stiff ceramic dome – valued for its midrange neutrality, is mated to its

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own acoustic enclosure. All moving elements of the driver are ventilated for
“resonance free” response. This unique technology allows the X-Diamond
to produce bass and dynamics that belie the size of the loudspeaker en-
closure. The 30 mm high frequency driver has ultra hard diamond dome.
As the dome breakup frequency is around 45 kHz, no distortions in audible
frequency range. A neodymium overhung motor design with vented alu-
minum voice coil former guarantees low energy storage and excellent heat
transfer. The soft fabric surround and ferrofluid with high viscosity center
the moving parts with distinctive linearity. Each driver unit is “broken in” by
running signal through them for several hours before being fitted into the
cabinet, and finally – the speakers’ individual tuning.
Crossover – A “minimalist” design 2nd order crossover is used
mainly for the natural sound such a design affords. All component parts
used, as well as the application of specific internal wiring, are of the high-
est quality and were chosen through extensive listening tests based on
subjective musicality. Crossover with Mii Teflon hybrid capacitors and air
core inductors is incased in a separate chamber, utilizing state of the art
carbon fiber resonant control and isolation technology Often, seemingly
minor changes greatly affect the final sound! Such attention to detail is
readily apparent upon first hearing. The result – a totally coherent signal
path, a claim proved out based from extensive A/B listening.
Finish – Just as in the making of a great musical instrument,
the finish has a profound effect on the final sound! After casting,
the proprietary marble based composite is allowed to age, prior to
the application of a multi layer internal resonance compound. Only
after this time consuming process does the preparation of the surface of
the cabinet commence. Manual labor hand sanding and sealing, layer
upon layer, applied using an elaborate and time-consuming procedure.
And finally the multiple coats of the lacquer finish is applied – hand sand-
ing accompanying each finishing coat. Final polishing – to a mirror-like fin-
ish, again, is done by hand. The Estelon’s X-Diamond is offered in a choice
of liquid gloss or matte finishes or the optional premium finishes.

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2. SPECIFICATIONS
Woofer: 11“ Accuton, ceramic sandwich dome
Mid Woofer: 7“ Accuton, ceramic sandwich dome
Tweeter: 1.2“ Accuton, Diamond inverted dome
Internal Wiring: Kubala-Sosna
Capacitors: Mii, Teflon-Hybrid
Inductors: Goertz, copper foil – Air Core
Frequency Response: 22 - 45 000 Hz
Power Rating: 200 W
Min. Amplification Power: 20 W
Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms (min 3.8 ohms at 70 Hz)
Sensitivity: 88 db/2.83 V
Height: 1370 mm (54”)
Width: 450 mm (18”)
Depth: 640 mm (25”)
Net Weight: 86 kg per piece (189,6 lbs)
Shipping Weight: 141 kg per piece (310,8 lbs)

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Dimensions in Millimeters:

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3. UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
Your Estelon loudspeakers come packaged individually in
2 separate flight cases – we strongly recommend keeping these cases
for possible future use / transport. Due to the substantial weight and
slippery surface of the loudspeakers we suggest that two persons
assist in the unpacking and positioning of them for listening.
Contents of the two flight cases:
• 2 loudspeakers
• 1 Accessories box
• 2 sets of spikes (8 pieces)
• 1 user’s manual
• 2 pairs of gloves
• 1 polishing cloth
• 1 impregnated polishing cloth
(supplied only with liquid gloss finish)
For unpacking, please follow the instructions described below and
as shown in the drawings:
1. Unlock / Open all six locks on the flight case cover. This should only
be done with the speaker / flight case in a horizontal position.
2. Carefully lift the cover off the flight case and put it aside.
3. Remove the foam plate from under the speaker bottom
as shown in drawing 3.
4. Gently, lift the flight case, with the speaker, as shown
in drawing 4 and elevating it to a vertical position as shown
in drawing 5.
5. Now in an upright position, please support the speaker and
slowly roll the speaker out of the case

12
1
3
2
6. At this time, please put on the gloves that you find included
in the accessories box. Now, with the speaker upright and
out of the flight case, carefully remove the cloth bag from
the speaker and roll it to the desired position in your room.
We recommend keeping the speakers on wheels during the
initial set-up.

13
54
6
Once the final position has been located, it is time to re-
place the transport wheels with the enclosed spikes.
Doing one side at a time, carefully tilt the speaker to one
side and replace the wheels with the enclosed spikes.
Please retain the wheels, once removed, in the event that
repackaging is required.

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4. SET-UP
4.1. Initial positioning in the room
Model X Diamond – Suggested room size 25-60 m2.
When positioning the speakers in your room, if possible, it is
desirable to allow for “free” space around the speakers so as to assist in
minimizing sound reflections from walls, furniture etc. This will help in
achieving correct tonality, realistic imaging, focus and dynamics. The
recommended minimum distance between the speaker and the near-
est reflection point is 1.2 m (3.6 ft).
A “smooth” back wall will minimize imaging distortions. The
distance between the back wall and the speaker should not be less
than 0.6 m (1.8 ft), the distance from the tweeter to the back and side
walls must not be too similar.
Listening point: the distance between your ears and the floor
should be approx. 1 m (3 ft), while the distance between the listener
and the speakers should be similar to the distance between the two
speakers.
The positioning of the speakers in the room must be sym-
metrical for achieving a balanced sound stage – this is very important
in a narrow room. Expect the distance between the speakers to be
approximately 2.5 - 5 m, depending on the size of the room and its
reverberation characteristics.
The recommended speaker’s direction is approximately 7°,
off axis, towards the listening position.
4.2. Wiring
When connecting the speaker to the amplifier please make
sure that the amplifier is in an off position.
Connect the speaker cable to the pole terminal on the back of
the speaker: speaker terminal „+“ with the amplifier terminal „+“ and
„–“ with „–“.

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For signal flow, please follow the direction marked on the cable
or in the cable manufacturer’s instruction. Typically, the signal flow will
be in the same direction as the labeling / writing on the cable.
4.3. Break-in period
Although your Estelon speakers had an initial break-in at the
factory, due to shipping conditions – pressure/temperature changes
that they may have incurred, the speakers will need to go through an
additional break-in process before their final set-up.
All the mechanical and electrical connections will stabilize nat-
urally after playing a continuous music signal for approx. 24 hrs – e.g.
use a digital source in the repeat mode. After the initial break-in period
you can start setting-up the sound according to the recommenda-
tions from Alfred Vassilkov.
Please note that the speakers will have reached their optimum
level of performance after playing in your system for 300-400 hrs.
4.4. Recommendations from Alfred Vassilkov
for the set-up
The set-up of the sound consists of the balancing of many
different parameters: tonality, bass accuracy, focus, stage imaging,
deepness etc. This process is time consuming and depends on the
listener’s experience or the qualification of the set-up specialist. Proper
set-up will maximize your Estelons’ performance.
During the final set-up small changes may be made to the ini-
tial chosen position, e.g. moving the speakers 10 cm towards the front
wall, then maybe a little bit inward and outward. Please evaluate the
sound carefully every time you make a small change in the positioning.
Then continue, making smaller changes in the positioning and evalu-

16
ate again, until the proper position with a balanced, natural sound is
found. We suggest that you test, listen, with different music styles so as
to avoid specific accents.
When changing the position of your speakers please keep in
mind that:
• Close proximity to the back wall and corners will reinforce,
enhance, the bass performance.
• A shorter distance between the two speakers, will create
a better focus and deeper imaging, but will at the same time reduce
the sound width.
• Pointing the speakers inward minimizes reflections from the
side walls but has an impact on the imaging.
Once you have located the proper position replace the wheels
with the spikes included in the case. You can adjust the angle, phase
of the speaker to the listening point by changing the height of the
spikes – rear.
For critical listening, please allow 60-90 minutes for the system
to stabilize, each time you play the speakers.
When played at excessive volume, you stand the risk of doing
damage to the drivers.

17
5. Taking care of your Estelon speakers
The multicoated finishes applied to Estelon speakers are con-
sidered to be amongst the most advanced automotive finishes avail-
able. They are extremely strong and durable. In order to assist you in
maintaining their stunning appearance, your Estelon loudspeakers
come supplied, from the factory, with special cleaning / polishing
cloths. Please take note – only dry cleaning is allowed – do not wash
the speakers.
When the nature of a smudge / spot so necessitates, a soft
moist cloth may be used to gently liquefy / remove smudges prior to a
final finishing with the special cloths which accompany the speakers.
For the Liquid Gloss finish, please use only the polishing cloth
included in the flight case. Be careful not to apply the polish to the
loudspeaker drivers. The use of other materials can damage, scratch or
destroy the finish.
More detailed information regarding the polishing clothes and
information for obtaining additional product:
For the Liquid Gloss finish only:
DuPontTM Sontara® Polish Cloth impregnated with Krytox®
Silicone-free
Impregnated with DuPontTM Krytox®, a high performance polish that
gives a long-lasting shine and extra protection to paintwork
No additional wax or polish required.
For all finishes:
3M Perfect-itTM III High Performance Polishing Cloth
Item # 50486
Or other 3M Microfiber cloths
For additional information and guidance regarding cleaning /
polishing materials, please contact your dealer or distributor.

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6. ESTELON / ALFRED & PARTNERS -
Technical Services
Alfred & Partners OÜ Five Year Limited Warranty
Terms and Conditions
1. Limited Warranty – All ESTELON products purchased from
authorized ESTELON dealers are covered by a limited 5-year non-trans-
ferrable warranty granted by Alfred & Partners OÜ. This warranty in-
cludes all parts and labour charges as well as return-shipping charges
(product owner is responsible for all shipping and insurance charges
one-way to the ESTELON repair facility).
Upon receipt of an online registration form, Alfred & Partners
OÜ warrants the purchased product to be free from manufacturing,
materials, and workmanship defects for five years from the date of
original purchase, subject to the following conditions. Failure to regis-
ter the ESTELON product within 30 days from original purchase will
result in a warranty period of 90 days from the date of purchase.
Customers should consult with their original ESTELON dealer or
distributor for possible alternate repair instructions prior to contacting the
ESTELON factory. Other ESTELON dealers or distributors may refuse from
assisting the Customer under the limited warranty BUT under any and all
circumstances customers are welcome to contact our sales department,
listed on our web site www.estelon.com, for service assistance.
This limited warranty is valid only in the country where the
product was originally purchased. If the repair request that is covered
under this warranty comes from another country then the Manufac-
turer may request the Customer to compensate to the Manufacturer
additional costs arising from providing this limited warranty in another
country than the country of original purchase.
This limited warranty shall not affect the statutory rights of the
Customer.

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2. Limited to Original Purchaser – This warranty is for the
sole benefit of the original purchaser of the covered product, and may
not be transferred to a subsequent purchaser of the product.
3. Conditions and Limitations – This warranty is subject to
certain conditions and limitations, as follows. This warranty is void and
inapplicable if the product has not been used in accordance with the
instructions found elsewhere in the owner’s manual, or if it has been
misused or abused, damaged by accident or neglect, or in transport
once in possession of the purchaser. The warranty is also deemed
void if the product has been repaired, modified, or tampered with by
anyone other than Alfred & Partners OÜ or its specifically authorized
agents. Please Note – if the fasteners to the cover of the crossover area,
those covered with multi coloured specialty epoxy seal, have been
tampered with / the epoxy removed – the warranty will considered to
be void.
This warranty does not cover defects due to accidents or similar
causes arising after the risk for the product has passed to Customer, or
normal deterioration, wear and tear.
4. Remedy – If this product contains a materials, manufac-
turing, or workmanship defect that cannot be repaired at the dealer-
ship where the product was purchased, it must be packed in original
packaging and returned to Alfred & Partners OÜ via insured freight, at
the owner’s expense. If replacement packaging materials are required,
they may be purchased from the factory at a charge. Returned prod-
ucts must be accompanied by a written description of the defect,
and a return authorization number (available from the factory via
phone or email).
Upon receipt of defective product, ESTELON agrees to repair
the product without charge for parts or labour. The product will then
be returned via prepaid, insured freight, with carrier at the sole deter-
mination of ESTELON. This constitutes the purchasers sole remedy.

20
5. Design Changes – ESTELON reserves the right to modify
its products or change specifications at any time without obligation or
liability to previous purchasers.
6. Miscellaneous – Any implied warranties relating to the
above product shall be limited to the duration of this warranty. This
warranty does not extend to any incidental or consequential costs or
damages to the purchaser. This warranty gives you specific legal rights.
You may also have other rights which vary from country to country.
Instructions for Obtaining Repair Service
1. Complete the Return Authorization Request Form – avail-
able online at estelon.com/support.
2. Upon clicking the ‘Submit’ button on the Return Authori-
zation Form, the ESTELON factory will review it for completeness and
return an e-mail to you with an RA number when required (please al-
low 2-5 days for a return e-mail).
3. Crate and / or package the product in its ORIGINAL FLIGHT
CASE CONTAINERS ONLY, according to the instructions included in
the return e-mail, and ship the product to the shipping address in-
cluded in the e-mail. The owner is responsible for paying the shipping
and insurance charges (Alfred & Partners OÜ will cover return shipping
and insurance charges on warranty repairs).
4. In the case of non-warranty repairs, Alfred & Partners OÜ
will physically inspect the product and contact the customer for repair
approval. Upon approval and completion of repair, the product own-
er will be informed of the final charges (including return shipping).
Payment may be made by bank / wire transfer prior to final shipment).
Payments not received within 30 days of initial contact may incur
storage fees.