Open Cell Aluminium Foam composite (OCAF)

The OCAF technology appears in Bridgeway. The internally open cell aluminum foam offers several benefits when used in loudspeaker enclosures as a composite component or as a stand-alone space filler. Both effects are exploited with the inward open cell composite structure, which we called OCAF.

Firstly, its unique cellular structure provides excellent acoustic diffuser properties, effectively reducing standing waves between internal surfaces through distributed parameters. In this way, we can further reduce* the amount of fibrous damping material used, which is not ideal due to its non-linear energy dissipation nature.

Secondly, because the foam structure is light and rigid, and the speed of sound propagation in the material is very fast, it is an ideal material for speaker cabinets as a composite element. Thus, we can increase the structural rigidity very effectively without a significant increase in mass or volume. The middle layer of the three-layer composite is a medium-hardness polymer resin with a massive internal damping, while the outer layer is made of 19 mm thick premium beech plywood.

OCAF definitely results in a clearer, more articulate midrange and spatial imaging with a better dynamic feel and a more natural, longer decay.

*The speaker enclosure model, UETL also allows us to use already less initial damping material. Check out the description on the UETL page.