Bohne Audio: Innovative, active loudspeakers with patented dipole broad-range ribbon tweeter

Bohne Audio is a German loudspeaker manufacturer from Engelskirchen, near Cologne. At the heart of our innovative, high-end loudspeakers is the patented broad-range dipole ribbon tweeter: Believe it or not, it is capable of displaying frequencies of 20 kHz to 800 / 500 Hz (crossover frequency is model-specific) undistorted, at an transient performance over 125 dB SPL –  the only one of its kind in the world.

Jörg Bohne, mastermind and chief developer at Jörg Bohne Audiosysteme, has been working on this innovate dipole driver for more than 15 years. As a professional musician (he is an active member of three bands), he had and continues to have the highest of demands for ‘real, live transient response’. And, as no existing sound converter concept was able to convince him, the trained physicist took matters into his own hands and developed the dipole broad-range ribbon tweeter for series production.

The newest version of this high-performance chassis speaker – which makes use of new materials from aerospace technology and a new transducer – is incorporated into the reloaded upright speakers BB-12, BB-15 and BB-18. The Bohne ribbon works as a 2-way system, together with a modified JBL bass chassis speaker (in 12, 15 or 18 inches).

Bohne Audio BB-12: elegant, for a 12 inch bass slim loudspeaker for every living room
Bohne Audio BB-15: Ultra High End loudspeker with 15 inch JBL woofer
Bohne Audio BB-18: ultimate High End loudspeaker with 18 inch JBL woofer

A/B Class MOSFET power amplifiers for BB-12, BB-15, BB-18

The accompanying A/B Class MOSFET power amplifiers (2 x 600 watts or 2 x 350 watts, depending on the model) are also manufactured in-house.

High-quality German-made components are used, perfectly tuned for both loudspeaker drivers. The power amplifiers are available in black or silver, and are also offered separately to allow for the operation of passive loudspeakers.

Trinnov Amethyst or Altitude: best digital harmony guaranteed with world leading preamp and room correction

We combine the active Bohne upright speakers with the, in our opinion, best digital preamplifiers in the world: Trinnov Audio. Even the smallest detail of the Bohne loudspeaker system is optimised for digital control. No dynamics-reducing passive components of any kind are to be found in our loudspeakers.

The power amplifiers are tuned to the output stages of the Trinnov devices, guaranteeing perfect coordination. The Trinnov corrects loudspeaker amplitude and phase response, and equalises the room in one step. At the same time, it functions as an active crossover, separating ribbon and bass driver with 48 dB transconductance, so that every driver can unlock its full potential.

This is what experts say about the Bohne Audio systems

“In one word: sensational. And that’s not just empty talk – I … have never heard music like this before …

The usual categories, like spatiality, tonality, etcetera, are soon brushed off … – it doesn’t get better than this.”

Thomas Schmitt, Loudspeaker Yearbook, about the BB-15 MK1, which we have bettered once more with the current version of the BB-15

“The best digital system I have ever heard – by a pretty big margin. Transparent, quick, sonorous – and truly musical. In spite of my fundamental scepticism towards digital reproduction: you should absolutely listen to this active system from Bohne Audio. It really makes you think. It’s absolutely incredible what it makes possible!”

Dietrich Brakemeier, ‘Analogue Guru’, inventor of UNI DIN tonearm geometry and manufacturer of ultra-high-end analogue equipment with an international reputation

All advantages at a glance

Our upright speaker series in detail

The BB-12 is designed for every ‘normal’ living room, with a sleek, attractive form, thus ensuring a high ‘Woman Acceptance Factor’ (WAF). With this system, you have already achieved your dream of owning a completely high-end system which, thanks to Trinnov’s room correction feature, is perfectly tuned to your listening environment.

The premium models BB-15 and BB-18 are designed for larger rooms: 30 to 55 square meters for the BB-15, and 40 to 100 square meters for the BB-18. These ‘projectiles of sound’ deserve an acoustically-optimised environment with reverberation times of under 0.6 seconds.

BB-12 BB-15 BB-18
Dimensions 110 x 38 x 43 cm 120 x 54 x 65 cm 125 x 65 x 65 cm
Weight 42 kg (Bass body 30 kg; Ribbon 12 kg – transported separately) 60 kg (Bass body 42 kg; Ribbon 18 kg –  transported separately) 70 kg (Bass body 52 kg; Ribbon 18 kg –    transported separately)
Frequency Range 30–24.000 Hz (- 3 dB) 25–24.000 Hz (- 3 dB) 22–24.000 Hz (- 3 dB)
Max. acoustic pressure 120 dB/1 m 123 dB/1 m 125 dB/1 m
Mid-/Low-Range Modified JBL 12 inch woofer Modified JBL 15 inch woofer Modified JBL 18 inch woofer
Mid-/High-Range Dipole Ribbon,

220 x 14 mm,

patented

Dipole Ribbon,

300 x 18 mm,

patented

Dipole Ribbon,

300 x 18 mm,

patented

Efficiency
95 dB (Bass)
95 dB (Ribbon)
97 dB (Bass)
99 dB (Ribbon)
99 dB (Bass)
99 dB (Ribbon)
Crossover Frequency 800 650 550
Recommended Distance From Wall 20–80 cm 30–150 cm 30–150 cm
Power Amps  4-Channel Power Amp

  • 4 x 350 Watt (Class AB); Bi-Wiring
  • MOSFET
  • Dimensions: 17 x 44,2 x 51 cm
  • Weight: 27 kg
 2 x 2-Channel Power Amp

  • Each 2 x 600 Watt (Class AB); Bi-Wiring
  • MOSFET
  • Dimensions: 15 x 44,2 x 51 cm
  • Weight: 26 kg each
2 x 2-Channel Power Amp

  • Each 2 x 600 Watt (Class AB); Bi-Wiring
  • MOSFET
  • Dimensions: 15 x 44,2 x 51 cm
  • Weight: 26 kg each

Home cinema enhancements

In addition to our upright loudspeakers, we offer satellite loudspeakers, centre speakers and sub-woofers which work together in perfect harmony. The home cinema loudspeakers are streamlined for operation with the Trinnov Altitude 16 or 32.

The surround and height loudspeakers BB-8S can be furnished with stands, ceiling brackets and/or wall-mounting brackets, and are also available in individual colours and veneers.

The BB-8S satellites, as well as the Center BB-8C are passively integrated, the ultra-high-end Center BB-12C is actively operated with the BB-600 power amplifier. The three sub-models, Sub-12, Sub-15 and Sub-18, are fitted with integrated Class-D power amplifiers with 1,000 to 2,400 watts.

In this way, Bohne Audio also offers a fully-coordinated all-round package for ambitious home cinemas to suit the highest demands.

Technical data of our home cinema components

  BB-8S BB-8C BB12C
Dimensions (HxWxD) 55 x 27 x 27 27 x 70 x 45 cm 40 x 94 x 70 cm
Colour/veneer oak/black, cherry/black, matt lacquer black or white, all individual designs possible
Maximum acoustic pressure 115 dB/1 m 115 dB/1 m 124 dB/1 m
Distorsion factor  < 1 % at 1.000 Hz/100 dB/1 m  < 1 % at 1.000 Hz/100 dB/1 m  < 1 % at 1.000 Hz/100 dB/1 m
Mid-Low Range 8 inches
65 mm Long-stroke voice coil; Low bass enhancement over two 8-inch passive radiators
2 x 8 inches

65 mm Long-stroke voice coil

Bass-Reflex to the front

12 inch JBL bass, modified

100 mm Aluminium Flat wire voice coil

Bass-Reflex to the front

Mid-High Range Dipol ribbon

160 x 14 mm,

patented

Dipol ribbon

160 x 14 mm,

patented

Dipol ribbon

300 x 18 mm,

patented

Crossover frequency 2.000 Hz 1.400 Hz > 500 Hz
Weight 18 kg 35 kg 68 kg
Power Amps BA-600:
2 x 600 Watt
Class AB

Cinema gallery: client installation / Bohne Audio Showroom

Have we sparked your interest? Get in touch!

Contact us via email: [email protected]