Synergistic Research Black Box (Low Frequency Resonator)

Low Frequency Resonator

Deep space meet deep bass. There is no other compact acoustic treatment device that you can place in your listening room to solve your low-frequency problems except the Synergistic Research Black Box.

Based on our award-winning and patented sympathetic resonance technology, the Black Box is an (all in one) Broad Spectrum Low-Frequency Resonator Array with UEF Tech that effectively eliminates bass nodes while expanding your room’s ability to accurately portray low-frequency information and spacial content.

Working from the principle that all frequencies in the audible bandwidth are linked through harmonics, the Black Box balances low frequencies, mid-range, and high frequencies through a mathematically derived algorithm based on tuned sympathetic resonance. So when you get the phase correct at 20Hz for example, it clears up every multiple of 20Hz so, 40Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz and on.

Even if you don’t have a bass problem in your listening room you can benefit from the Black Box. With improved low-frequency definition in perfect phase alignment with all frequencies that make up your favorite music, you hear natural sounding bass in a holographic soundstage with mid's and high's that sound natural and transparent. And unlike large bass traps, the Black Box performs this feat in a small, aesthetically pleasing package. The Black Box sits on three stiletto spikes decoupling it from your floor for improved response. Black Box measures only 9.5″L X 9.5″W X 6″H (8″ when spiked) and weighs about 8 lbs.

Dimensions: 24cm x 24cm x 20cm (WxDxH)

Weight: 4kg

"...It becomes clear why the fine-tuning of placement matters almost the moment you put the Black Box in the room. Ignoring the bass for a moment, careful tuning snaps the soundstage into sharp focus, adding significantly to the air around instruments within that stage. We can’t ignore bass for too long as that ‘snapping’ into focus has a significant impact on soundstage solidity. Instruments that were seemingly ‘floating’ around the stage are now so ‘planted’ in 3D space, you’ll feel like watering the musicians. This is helped by a distinct sense of improved midrange clarity and even high-frequency extension. And it’s now that we get to that bass; the Black Box excels at defining the shape and texture of bass notes, whether they are bowed, plucked, struck or electronically derived. Bass notes don’t just ‘start’ and ‘stop’ with greater precision; the physical ‘thereness’ of bass sounds are so precise you will be more able to recognise the difference between both instruments (like a Fender Jazz and Fender Precision bass) and the different style of otherwise very similar players. And, as ever, it’s outstanding at portraying musical intent; letting the musical presentation of the audio equipment do what it does best..."

Hifi+ | Alan Sircom | Jan 2023 | Link to review | Link to video

“...while the Black Box seems like it’s advertised as a bass tuning and improvement device — it’s more than that….The bass is tighter and comes with focus and definition. The individual voices in Childish Gambino’s This is America track become more individualised, wider and more forward. That track really shows off the impact of the Black Box. You really get the sense of terror in the way the bass rolls a minute or so into the song, and the explosion towards the end of the song pops into you with a sense of dimension and velocity. Without the Black Box, the bass roll is a bit muddled and loses that sense of calamity and terror; and that pop withers a bit like a confetti gun and less like a cannon..."

Audio Bacon | Steve J | Jun 2018 | Link to review

“...Next up was the SR Black Box. This is a rather mysterious looking…well, black box… In my hands it was rather hefty, with a strange vibrating, resonant feel. The Black Box is a very different approach to the control of the lower frequencies. Rather than taming the bass with traps, absorbers, and other materials, the Black Box seems to act as a kind of resonator unit to deal with bass problems…. When the Black Box was added, well, damn me ears! The bass did seem to lock in, becoming more precise and more focused, all at the same time. …There was no doubt about the gains that the Black Box offered…that bloody thing had to stay.”

Positive Feedback | Dr David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief | Nov 2015 | Link to review

"...there is no other room acoustic enhancement device that I know of that can transform your listening room in the way that the SR Black Box can deliver. Once you hear The Black Box and how it can affect the music and the listener, you’ll be hard pressed to take it out of your system..."

"...with The Black Box in my system, the bass response was clearly better in all ways but the magic really occurred in the midrange and high frequencies. The improvement in soundstage was undeniable with each recording displaying a greater sense of depth … the music sounded liberated in a way while percussion instruments displayed a faster transient response. 'Synergistic' is one word I would use to describe the combination of SR HFTs, Atmosphere, FEQ and Black Box working together in my listening room to eliminate the negative impact of my listening room. The Black Box is a must have component if you really want to hear your system at its full potential..."

The StereoTimes | Mike Girardi | 2015 | Link to review