Mark Audio Alpair 12P

he Alpair 12P is the largest full-range driver produced by Markaudio. This driver is a
development unit following on from the original metal coned Alpair 12 produced in 2009/2010.
Several major design changes make this Alpair radically different from the original in terms of its
operation and performance.

Brief
Markaudio Alpair series drivers are totally custom designed and built. All components (apart
from the magnet) are individually designed and engineered with their own tooling and mould
making sets. Alpair drivers are made by highly skilled engineers, they arenʼt “mass produced”.

Key Features
The change to a custom paper cone with a more shallow profile reduces mass and increases
dispersion performance. The new cone is only 21-mm deep compared to the metal unit at 26-
mm. The 12P employs and new custom CCAW coil with an aluminium/paper wrap, vented, low-
mass thin-walled body. The spider is particularly special. Designed by Matsubara San, it
employs a new long throw profile set together with a ribbed body to maintain linearity. The front
suspension remains the same as the previous model; A design by Lu Yi Ping, its ultra thin wall
doesnʼt support the cone. In terms of mechanical load performance, the 12P remains a single
semi-free to air driver, possibly a unique design in its class.

Performance
The 12P remains pure to designer Mark Fenlonʼs current criteria which is to make purist, single
cone drivers that are full-range capable without the use of phase plugs, co-axial centre tweeters
or whizzers. The 12P is 92dB efficient (1w/m2), operating to 22-kHz (-3dB) and having a
resonance frequency of 42Hz (+/- 2Hz). The 12Pʼs power-train (cone, cap, coil and
suspensions) is mechanically efficient and linear, requiring only modest powered amps to make
it perform well. This driver is aimed strictly at the “audiophile” end of the market. Its cone is
highly-resonance sensitive so clean low-distortion amplification and source components are
advised.

For those listeners who value absolute detail, dynamics and clarity, the Alpair 12P is an excellent
candidate. Iʼd like to thank all those who assisted in the design and development process,
especially existing Markaudio driver users, whoʼs feedback was instrumental in the 12Pʼs final
incarnation.

Mark Fenlon

Revc= 7.000 Ohm
Fo= 42.149 Hz
Sd= 147.410 cm_
Vas= 43.060 Ltr
Cms= 1.396m M/N
Mmd=9.188 g
Mms= 10.217 g
BL= 7.540 T·M
Qms= 1.981
Qes= 0.333
Qts= 0.285
Levc= 53.952u H
No= 0.936 %
SPLo= 91.730 dB