Mark Audio MAOP 11MS Full Range Speaker Driver

The Mark Audio MAOP 11MS is a high-end, 6.5-inch full-range audiophile driver. It combines Mark Audio's advanced micro-arc oxidation cone process with a mono suspension system.

 

Key Technologies:

• MAOP (Magnetic/Micro-Arc Oxidation Process): The aluminum-magnesium cone is converted into its crystalline oxide at 700°C. This creates a stiff, rigid structure containing microscopic voids, blending the extreme accuracy of metal drivers with the natural damping properties of paper.
• Mono Suspension: The driver utilizes a mono suspension system alongside a patent-pending negative camber cone design. This significantly lowers mechanical noise and improves transient response.
• Pure Copper Voice Coil: Employs a dedicated, ultra-lightweight pure copper rectangular voice coil to enhance responsiveness and accuracy across the frequency range.

 

Technical Parameters & Specifications

The fundamental electro-acoustic (Thiele-Small) parameters for the Markaudio MAOP 11MS include:

Parameter:

Nominal Diameter: 6.5 inches (172 mm outer frame)

Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms

DC Resistance (Re): 6.8 Ohms

Sensitivity: 89.8 dB (1W / 1m)

Resonant Frequency (Fs): 43.8 Hz

Total Q (Qts): 0.30

Electrical Q (Qes): 0.35

Mechanical Q (Qms): 2.16

Equivalent Volume (Vas): 25.1 Liters

Moving Mass (Mms): 9.08 grams

Force Factor (BL): 6.98 T·m

Effective Piston Area (Sd): 145.42 cm²

Voice Coil Inductance (Le): 0.30 mH

One-way Linear Excursion (Xmax): 8.0 mm

 

 

Full Description:

The Magnetic Arc Oxidisation Process is done at extremely high temperature in a flux bath that is prone to differential temperatures (hot/cold spots) which can warp the cones. The process is 10 times the cost of normal cone production, at least half are scrapped as it does render cones unusable if they are warped even slightly. The MAOP process involves a chemical conversion where the cone material is converted into its crystalline oxide. The crystal grows both inward into the substrate and outward. As such the new coating is not a deposited coating it is part of the original structure which gives excellent adhesion. The large crystal structure provides excellent stiffness and resistance to damage. The crystalline structure also encapsulates microscopic voids. It is supposed that it is the blend of microscopic voids and stiff structure that lend the cone the audio properties of both the metal cone and the paper cone, accuracy and a listen all day quality.

After construction, each driver is individually measured in the anechoic chamber at the Markaudio factory and pair matched based on that data to within, 0.5% tolerance. Each pair is supplied with individual electrical and acoustic measurements.

 

Parameters:

FS	43.7992 Hz
VAS	25.1186 L
RE	6.8 Ω
QMS	2.1613
QES	0.3483
QTS	0.3
BxI	6.9841 Txm
dBSPL	89.8465
SD	0.0111 m ²
CMS	1.4542 mm/N
MMS	9.0799 g
RMS	1.1562 WM
CAS	1.80E-7 m5/N
MAS	73.40 kg/m4
RAS	9347 WA
CMES	186.1471 mF
LCES	70.9335 mH
RES	42.1897 W
RAT	67336 WA
RMT	8.3294 WM
MMD	8.4160 g
ZMIN	7.9202 W
ZMAX	48.9897 W
ZAVG	15.7489 W
h0	0.58%
L1kHz	0.3021 mH
L10kHz	0.1414 mH

 

 

 

110mm Fullrange drive unit. Single ferrite magnet. Now with the Mono Suspension

8ohm Nominal impedance

Low-profile, micro-arc oxidized multiform cone for broad directivity pattern

All MAOP drive units are custom measured in our anechoic chamber: data here published as a sample for general guidance.

Build & Enclosure Compatibility

Because the frame of the MAOP 11MS is physically identical to the standard Alpair 11, Alpair 11MS, and Pluvia 11 drivers, it is a drop-in replacement or upgrade for enclosures designed for those models. It pairs excellently with Transmission Line (e.g., Frugel-Horn XL) or Pensil-style cabinet kits.

 

Availability

Due to the incredibly high temperatures and demanding nature of the MAOP chemical conversion, nearly half of the cones produced are scrapped. Consequently, the MAOP 11MS is manufactured in very small, exclusive batches, making it highly collectible. Each matched pair ships with its own individual electrical and acoustic measurements taken in an anechoic chamber

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is MAOP and why is it special?
MAOP stands for Micro-Arc Oxidation Process (sometimes Magnetic Arc Oxidation Process). It is a specialized, high-temperature chemical conversion that transforms the surface of the aluminum-magnesium cone into its crystalline oxide. This stiffens the cone while encapsulating microscopic voids, providing the detailed accuracy of a metal cone with the fatigue-free, listen-all-day quality of a paper cone.

What does the "MS" stand for?
"MS" stands for Mono Suspension (or damperless construction). By removing the traditional spider/damper, the mechanical resistance of the driver is drastically lowered. This improves responsiveness, erases the muddiness associated with traditional dampers, and allows the driver to reproduce minute spatial details.

How are the drivers checked at the factory?
Because the MAOP process is highly sensitive—often warping cones and resulting in a high scrap rate—every surviving pair is individually tested in an anechoic chamber at the Markaudio factory. They are pair-matched to within a 0.5% tolerance, and each set is shipped with its own specific electrical and acoustic measurement results.

Do they need specific enclosures?
Yes. Full-range drivers of this type are highly enclosure-dependent to achieve optimal bass extension. The consensus on audiophile communities like diyAudio is that these drivers generally perform exceptionally well in transmission line cabinets, though careful volume matching and cabinet tuning are vital to protect the delicate damperless cone from over-excursion (bottoming out).

What amplifiers pair best with the MAOP 11MS?
Owners in forum discussions suggest matching these drivers with high-quality, high-resolution amplification. While they can run on quality solid-state amps, many enthusiasts pair them with low-powered Single-Ended Triode (SET) tube amplifiers to achieve an incredibly smooth, natural, and rich midrang