TEST: Deeflexx

 I admit it, it is always a refreshing feeling when in times of diode overloaded displays and highly sophisticated algorithms a very reduced test object in terms of technology is handed to the tester now and then. And to say it directly, in terms of reduction, the Deeflexx in front of me is hard to beat, it is actually a reflector / deflector, as it could hardly be more analog.

No displays, no electrical conductors, not even a power supply, the plastic tub needs to fulfill its function, it deals with the most primal thing that defines music, the sound in general and the radiation behavior in particular. The product is supposed to help put an end to a notorious acoustic problem, the so-called "beaming", which as expected has absolutely nothing to do with Star Trek.


Design

Anyone who has even a little knowledge of fluid mechanics or radiation theory will immediately recognize the principle of the product. Via one or two triangles, the beam, which a standard loudspeaker normally emits in a highly bundled form and with an exaggerated treble component, is to be deflected and distributed in the room.

We all know the problem from the rehearsal room or the stage that, directly in front of the box, the general sound of the guitar is rather harsh, scratchy, with high volume and thus suboptimal reproduced, while you get on only one meter next to the speaker, especially if a noisy drummer sitting in the back, absolutely no sound more of his performance.

Or you point the speaker at yourself and the rest of the band can only guess what your guitarist is playing at the moment or what key he is in. Loudspeakers have the habit, depending on their size, respectively their diaphragm size, to bundle mids and especially the highs strongly and to radiate them only to the front. This has the consequence that the artist does not hear himself and tries to compensate for this deficiency by adding volume. Now put the amplifier on the floor and you have done everything wrong that you can do wrong. Conclusion: the rest of the band covers their ears because of the infernal volume, the hall mixer mutes the guitar channel and the artist still can't hear a sound.

The Deeflexx Deflection System is now clamped under the speaker by means of an extension at the foot of the product, whereby one can easily modulate the mode of action with a fixed triangular shape and an additional attachable diffuser. The sound is deflected laterally, respectively upwards, and creates a better localization in the room, accompanied by an increase in the high frequencies to the side and above the amplifier.


Practice

Of course, a product like the Deeflexx polarizes right off the bat. Although moderately shaped, this does not change the fact that especially the typically anachronistically rooted guitarist will first look at anything that does not have at least a hint of slight "vintage mustiness" with a heavily furrowed brow. In addition, the futuristic construction must first prove its practical value. What good are the most beautiful acoustics if the product goes down the drain in terms of handling or stability.

In terms of workmanship and durability, we can quickly give the all-clear. The solid plastic, from which all elements are made, is thick enough to withstand blows and direct force even to a greater extent. It also has good elasticity, so it easily absorbs blows that hit the product from above. It does oscillate several times, but the deflection remains within a moderate range.

Slid under a combo with rubber feet, the Deeflexx proves to be quite stable without lifting the combo with its lever. Even with a small 30 watt practice amp, the amp always stayed in position. However, the Deeflexx cannot be mounted under a cabinet with standard casters, since its stand does not have any devices to compensate for the now greater clear height. If you unscrew the casters, however, there are no problems and since we know that all casters on 4x12" cabinets "inevitably" unscrew themselves at some point (thanks to cobblestones and curbs...), this problem usually solves itself without any action on your part...

For a stationary installation, the Deeflexx can also be screwed to the floor, a corresponding hole opening is prefabricated in the base. In addition, the Deeflexx has a scale on the foot to make a better adjustment of the sound. Only the microphone of the speaker may need to be readjusted. For example, with a Deeflexx that is stuck up to the stop under the amp, an SM 57 can no longer be placed at a straight angle in front of the speaker. However, if you pull the Deeflex out a bit, this shortcoming can be easily remedied.

In fact, once you place the Deeflexx in front of your amp, the overall sound of the guitar improves many times over. The aggressive biting of the speaker in the direct radiation is significantly reduced without the sound of the combo suffering. The sound develops more warmth and gets a much better location in the general sound structure.

The product leaves an all-around successful impression. If one would now still have some kind of "washers", possibly pluggable, perhaps also on a magnetic basis for greater ground clearance with rollers or high rubber feet, the design would be perfect! Incidentally, the Deeflexx not only ensures a spatially improved sound reproduction, the first rows in the audience are also spared from the beam by this measure.


Conclusion

The Deeflexx is a unique product that addresses a guitarist's problem that is as old as electrically amplified music itself, in a subjectively incredibly simple construction. Using an optional 2 "diffusers", the product splits the hated treble-focused beam of a loudspeaker and distributes it tastefully throughout the room plus a much improved treble perception in the side and ceiling areas.

The handling of the product is self-explanatory, the workmanship excellent. The product not only brings to bear a greatly improved spatial perception of the signal, but also decouples the strong concentration of high frequencies in the guitar signal. Even if some details sometimes show up in only very fine detail, the Deeflexx is a real asset to almost any speaker design.

Bass or keyboard amplifier systems also benefit from the acoustic solution, although the focus is primarily on the guitar signal. An absolutely recommendable product, which, once used, you will never want to do without again!


Pro

Sound
Effectiveness
Concept
Processing

Additional Informations:

- Hubert Hochleitner and Deeflex: Revolutionizing Guitar Amplification
Introduction

The world of guitar amplification has been constantly evolving since the invention of the electric guitar. Guitarists are always looking for new ways to improve their tone, and as a result, a wide variety of amplifiers, cabinets, and effects pedals have been developed over the years. Hubert Hochleitner, a guitarist from Austria, became frustrated with the limitations of traditional guitar amplification and began experimenting with new ways to achieve a better sound. This led him to develop the Deeflex, a unique device that revolutionized guitar amplification.

Early Years

Hubert Hochleitner was born in Austria in 1957. He began playing guitar at the age of 15 and quickly developed a passion for music. He played in several bands throughout his teenage years and into his twenties, but he always felt like there was something missing from his tone. He experimented with different amplifiers and cabinets, but he was never fully satisfied with the sound he was getting.

In the early 1990s, Hochleitner began to experiment with new ways to amplify his guitar. He started by placing his amplifier on a chair and pointing it directly at his ears, rather than at his legs. He found that this improved the clarity of his tone and made it easier to hear himself on stage. This led him to develop a device that would allow him to achieve this same effect without having to place his amplifier on a chair.

Development of the Deeflex

Hochleitner began experimenting with different materials and shapes to create a device that would reflect the sound of his amplifier directly towards his ears. He tried using mirrors, plastic panels, and even a metal dish, but he was never satisfied with the results. He eventually settled on a design that consisted of two curved panels made of a special plastic material. These panels were mounted on a stand and placed in front of his amplifier.

The Deeflex works by reflecting the sound waves of the amplifier towards the musician's ears, rather than towards the ground or the back of the stage. This allows the musician to hear a more direct and focused sound, without the loss of high frequencies that can occur with traditional amplification setups. The Deeflex also eliminates the need for guitarists to stand directly in front of their amplifiers, which can be damaging to their hearing over time.

Impact on the Music Industry

The Deeflex quickly gained popularity among guitarists in Austria and Germany, and it wasn't long before it began to make waves in the international music community. Guitarists such as Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, and Guthrie Govan all began using the Deeflex in their live performances and recordings. Vai, in particular, was a vocal supporter of the device, calling it "one of the greatest inventions for guitarists in recent years."
The Deeflex also caught the attention of amplifier manufacturers, who began to incorporate its principles into their own designs. Companies such as Marshall and Fender began to develop amplifiers that were designed to be used with the Deeflex, and other manufacturers began to create similar devices of their own.

Hochleitner continued to refine and improve the Deeflex over the years, and he eventually developed a new version of the device called the Deeflexx. This new version featured a more streamlined design and was even more effective at directing the sound of the amplifier towards the musician's ears.

Conclusion

Hubert Hochleitner's Deeflex has had a significant impact on the world of guitar amplification. Its unique design allows musicians to hear a more direct and focused sound, without the loss of high frequencies that can occur with traditional amplification setups.


- Plexiglass, also known as acrylic glass or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), is a transparent thermoplastic material that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Plexiglass has a wide range of applications, from automotive and aviation industries to medical equipment, signage, and even home décor.

In this article, we will delve into the history, properties, production, and applications of Plexiglass.

History of Plexiglass:

Plexiglass was first developed in 1928 by the German chemist Otto Röhm. Röhm discovered a way to produce a clear, solid material from methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA) through a process of polymerization. The resulting material was stronger, more transparent, and more weather-resistant than glass.

During World War II, Plexiglass was used extensively in military aircraft as a substitute for glass, which was in short supply. After the war, the material became popular for commercial and industrial applications, including car windows, skylights, and protective barriers.

Properties of Plexiglass:

Plexiglass is a thermoplastic material that is easy to shape and form, making it ideal for a wide range of applications. Here are some of the key properties of Plexiglass:
Transparency: Plexiglass is highly transparent, allowing up to 92% of light to pass through it. This makes it an excellent alternative to glass in applications where clarity is important.
Durability: Plexiglass is shatter-resistant and can withstand impacts that would shatter glass. It is also resistant to weathering, UV radiation, and chemicals, making it suitable for outdoor use.

Lightweight: Plexiglass is half the weight of glass, making it easier to handle and transport.
Easy to work with: Plexiglass can be easily cut, drilled, shaped, and polished, making it easy to customize for specific applications.
Fire-resistant: Plexiglass is a self-extinguishing material and does not release toxic fumes when it burns.

Production of Plexiglass:

Plexiglass is produced through a process of polymerization, which involves the chemical reaction of MMA monomer. Here are the steps involved in the production of Plexiglass:
Polymerization: MMA monomer is mixed with a catalyst and heated to initiate the polymerization process. The resulting polymer is a clear, solid material.

Extrusion: The polymer is extruded through a die to form sheets of Plexiglass. The sheets can be produced in a range of thicknesses and sizes, depending on the application.
Finishing: The sheets are polished to remove any surface imperfections and enhance their optical clarity.

Applications of Plexiglass:

Plexiglass has a wide range of applications, from industrial to consumer products. Here are some of the most common applications of Plexiglass:

Automotive and aviation: Plexiglass is used in car windows, aircraft canopies, and windshields due to its shatter-resistant properties and optical clarity.
Medical equipment: Plexiglass is used to make medical equipment such as incubators, isolation boxes, and surgical instruments due to its ability to withstand sterilization and its transparency.

Signage: Plexiglass is used in signs and displays due to its durability, weather resistance, and optical clarity.

Home décor: Plexiglass is used in home décor applications such as picture frames, shelves, and room dividers due to its lightweight and easy-to-work-with properties.
Protective barriers: Plexiglass is used in protective barriers such as sneeze guards, barriers for schools and offices to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.