MarkAudio MAOP_10v2 Driver Unit Set

Please take a moment to see and feel the finish of this beautiful driver. While many speaker manufacturers are shifting to mass production, Mark Fenlon manufactures almost all models in his own lab and factory, maintaining a strong commitment to excellent craftsmanship. This passion for quality, reminiscent of Japan's top audio manufacturing in the 1980s and 1990s, is evident in every detail. Compared to other manufacturers' drivers, you can notice MarkAudio's high precision and quality from details such as the glue joints at the front edges, all carefully assembled.

Voice Coil with Rectangular Wire

The voice coil uses rectangular (flat) copper wire. Its conversion efficiency in a magnetic field is about 30% higher than round wire, allowing for a lighter moving mass (MMD). Additionally, it reduces eddy currents in the midrange, allows fewer coil folds, and provides a larger surface area, contributing to sound quality across the entire range. The chassis is made from a mix of fiberglass and ABS resin, and the magnets are covered with rubber to dampen resonances transmitted to the magnets.

MAOP (Micro-Arc Oxidation Process Cone)
High electric field oxidation crystallization process

The matte, low-gloss surface is a characteristic of the MAOP series, and the term refers to this surface treatment.

This process involves immersing an alloy cone in an alkaline electrolyte solution under very high voltage (700V) for an extended period (1–2 weeks), causing the surface to oxidize and form crystals. As a result, the cone’s surface transforms into a flexible crystalline structure with countless tiny bubbles (many holes), as shown in the photos. (This method changes the cone itself rather than applying a coating, so there is almost no increase in mass.)

You can see countless small crystals and air holes that look like the surface of a sponge. The mountains of metal and air holes created through this process over several weeks make the reproduced sound natural.

This groundbreaking invention allows for damping effects similar to pulp diaphragms on metal diaphragms by using a new material that is dumped into the cone where micro-resonance patterns occur as they pass through the surface. It is said to be a quiet driver due to achieving very flat characteristics across a wide bandwidth.

Quietness and Transparency from MAOP Treatment

"The background quietness stands out."

The fine crystal structure formed on the cone surface through MAOP treatment effectively suppresses unwanted vibrations and resonances of the cone. This results in a very quiet sound background and a low noise floor.

"Despite being an aluminum-magnesium alloy cone, there is no metallic resonance."

MAOP treatment eliminates the hard metallic resonance and additional sounds unique to metal cones, achieving extremely flat and neutral frequency characteristics. While maintaining material rigidity, it gives a natural decay characteristic similar to pulp.

Excellent Balance for a 5-Inch Class

"It combines delicate expression with a solid sound image."

The 5-inch class (about 120mm) diameter maintains the advantages of a point-source full-range speaker while providing sufficient low-frequency presence. The mid-high frequencies are delicate and highly resolved, the sound image is clear and solid, giving the overall music high persuasive power.

"Extremely fast response (transients)."

Thanks to the lightweight cone and the excellent damping effect of the MAOP, the sound attack is extremely fast. This allows the energy and vitality of the music to be richly expressed.