Devore Fidelity O/93

DeVore Fidelity O/93 Speakers

The DeVore Fidelity O/93 is a 2-way floorstanding loudspeaker and the companion model to the O/96 within the Orangutan series. John DeVore designed the O/93 specifically to bring the O/96's coherent, high-sensitivity, single-crossover-point sound to a wider audience, using a new version of the 10-inch paper cone woofer with phase plug and the same gently horn-loaded 1-inch silk dome tweeter. At 93dB sensitivity and 10 ohms nominal impedance, it is well suited to low-powered amplification including single-ended tube designs, while remaining equally capable with more powerful amplifiers. Handbuilt in Brooklyn, New York.

The Orangutan Series

The Orangutan series is DeVore Fidelity's reference loudspeaker line, characterized by high-sensitivity drivers, wide-baffle cabinet designs, minimal crossovers, and natural cone and dome materials. The series currently includes the micr/O, O/baby, O/93, O/96, O/Bronze, and the O/Reference flagship. The O/93 and O/96 are closely related: they share the same tweeter and a similar woofer design, with the O/93 using a simplified version of the O/96's drive unit assembly that allows the model to be offered at a lower price point. According to John DeVore, the goal was to translate the essential character of the O/96's sound without compromise in the elements that define it.

Drivers

The O/93's 10-inch woofer uses an untreated paper cone with a phase plug, designed to DeVore's specifications. The paper material is a deliberate choice: DeVore uses natural, untreated cone materials across the Orangutan line for the tonal coherence and midrange texture they provide. The phase plug, centered in the cone, controls the woofer's high-frequency dispersion and time alignment. The woofer assembly in the O/93 differs from the O/96 in its magnet, coil, pole piece, and gap configuration, reflecting the design tradeoffs made to reach the O/93's price point.

The 1-inch silk dome tweeter is shared with the O/96. As confirmed in Ken Kessler's Hi-Fi News review, it is made by SEAS to DeVore's specifications, with the dome crown recessed approximately 10mm into the faceplate. The tweeter plate incorporates a short flare that manages high-frequency dispersion and provides the gentle horn-loading referenced in the model's design description. This horn-loading, combined with the minimal crossover, contributes significantly to the O/93's 93dB sensitivity. The flare is subtle rather than dramatic -- a diffraction-controlling geometry rather than a full acoustic horn.

Enclosure and Crossover

The O/93 uses a dual-ported enclosure with twin 2-inch-diameter ports on the rear panel, tuned to approximately 35Hz. The cabinet uses a veneered front baffle with a wide face that supports the drivers' dispersion characteristics and contributes to the speaker's efficiency. The crossover is a minimalist design -- a point John DeVore has discussed as a deliberate design priority across the Orangutan line. As reported by Alan Sircom in his Hi-Fi+ review, the crossover components include silver wire hardwiring and paper-in-oil capacitors.

High Sensitivity and Amplifier Compatibility

At 93dB sensitivity and 10 ohms nominal impedance, the O/93 presents a relatively easy load and requires very little power to reach satisfying listening levels. Reviewers have driven the O/93 successfully with amplifiers ranging from approximately 18 watts to 150 watts, with many finding that the speaker's character is particularly well expressed through low-powered single-ended tube amplifiers. The 10-ohm nominal impedance is higher than most modern loudspeakers, which suits it well to amplifiers that prefer or deliver their best performance into higher impedance loads.

The DeVore Fidelity O/93 is available in Figured Mahogany as standard, with custom finishes available to order. It is handbuilt at DeVore Fidelity's facility in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York.