Ø Audio Icon 12

Description

The Icon 12 is where the Ø Audio range steps into full horn-loaded territory. The brand’s Q.V.S.T. (Quad Vertex Soundfield Technology) waveguide handles everything above the bass; a 12-inch ultra-linear long-stroke woofer handles everything below. The intent is scale and authority — the kind of dynamic ease that compact speakers can suggest but not deliver.

Horn and drivers

A Quad Vertex Sound Field constant-directivity horn loads a ¾” carbon-fibre diaphragm driver. Constant directivity matters in domestic listening rooms because it keeps the timbre stable across listening positions — the speaker sounds the same on the sofa, in the doorway and across the room. The 12-inch woofer is an ultra-linear long-stroke unit designed for extended bass without the cabinet colour that often comes with high-efficiency horns.

Frequency response and efficiency

28 Hz – 20 kHz. 92 dB sensitivity. 8 Ω nominal. A speaker that responds well to good amplification but doesn’t require enormous power — 50 W will already make convincing music; 150 W of clean power makes it sing.

Cabinet

111 × 37 × 51 cm not including the feet (52cm wide with feet, 34cm top depth). 55 kg each. Precision-milled aluminium outrigger feet are supplied — they widen the footprint and dampen cabinet motion without the visual mass of plinth-style spikes.

Finishes

Three standard finishes: Piano Walnut, Arctic White Matt, Piano Black.

Editorial reception

Hifi Pig Magazine (Editor’s Choice), Hifi Huff, and a StereoNET Applause Award. The consistent reviewer note is the absence of the historic “horn shoutiness” — Q.V.S.T. is the engineering reason for that. For the technical detail on how the waveguide works, see our article on Q.V.S.T. horn loading. The full range sits on our Ø Audio brand page; the broader context is on the hi-fi page.

Audition

Available to audition by appointment at our Bath reference room. We supply and install across the UK. £19,995 inc VAT per pair. Please call or use the enquiry form below.