Lantern Speaker (pair)

Lantern — Paper Tone, Horn Clarity

The Lantern is a single-woofer, two-way high-performance statement loudspeaker — sharing the Hiro cabinet profile but built around the legendary Alpair 12P Japanese paper driver. It elevates your listening experience while preserving the signature Shinjitsu Audio sound. For those who prefer the tone and performance of paper woofers, this single-woofer model is designed to please.

The Horn System — ME45 + CD11Nd

Lantern uses the same 12-inch B&C ME45 constant-directivity cast-aluminum horn found in the Hiro family. This horn is responsible for the open, spacious, dynamically effortless presentation that defines the Shinjitsu Audio sound.

To complement the Alpair 12P’s organic, full-bodied tone, Lantern is paired with the Beyma CD11Nd compression driver.

The CD11Nd adds clarity and articulation with increased detail retrieval without shifting the tonal character of the speaker. It simply brings a touch of openness that balances the 12P’s organic character, resulting in a cohesive, modern horn presentation consistent with the Shinjitsu Audio sound. Best of both worlds — a rich, deep midrange and all the detail in the recording blended into one cohesive whole.

Why constant directivity matters:

consistent tonal balance across the listening area
stable imaging and soundstage
predictable room interaction
a clean, open presentation at any volume

Horn Voicing Adjustment

Lantern includes a top-mounted resistor socket that allows you to adjust the horn’s output level. This is how horn voicing is tuned — no internal access, no crossover exposure.

Changing the resistor does not alter the crossover design or affect system safety. It simply adjusts how forward or relaxed the horn feels relative to the paper driver.

Bold
More presence and immediacy. The horn steps slightly forward, increasing clarity, articulation, and dynamic impact. Useful at lower listening levels or in rooms that absorb energy.

Neutral
Balanced and natural. The horn and Alpair 12P integrate seamlessly with realistic tone and stable imaging. This is the factory reference voicing and the recommended starting point.

Relaxed
Smoother and more laid-back. The horn settles back slightly, emphasizing warmth, body, and long-term listening comfort. Ideal for lively rooms or listeners who prefer a softer presentation.

All voicing options are intentional and safe — choose what sounds right in your room.

Primary Driver — Alpair 12P Paper

The Mark Audio Alpair 12P is chosen for its natural, unforced tone and excellent midrange density. In the Lantern cabinet, it delivers warm presence, smooth extension, and a sense of body that feels unmistakably “live.”

Crossover Integration

A carefully tuned Shinjitsu Audio crossover blends the Alpair 12P and horn around ~1.4–1.6 kHz. The goal is simple: seamless integration, stable phase behavior, and a unified presentation where the speaker behaves as a single voice.

phase-coherent handoff
consistent tonal balance
smooth dynamic transitions
natural vocal reproduction

Cabinet Construction

Lantern cabinets are built from ¾-inch Baltic Birch plywood for stiffness, resonance control, and long-term durability.

1/4-Inch Solid Exotic Wood Front Baffle

The front baffle is milled from a solid hardwood slab — never veneer. Species Seasonal species include walnut, oak, Brazilian hickory, black limba, and wenge plus more. See wood options page for details. and more. Grain-matched, hand-sanded, and individually finished.

Rabbet-Joint Joinery

large glue surface for exceptional strength
mechanical interlock resists cabinet racking
self-aligning for precision construction
visible end-grain expresses honest woodworking

Digitally Engineered Composite Components

Each Lantern includes precision 3D-printed composite components — horn cradle, mounts, and structural elements modeled in CAD and printed to exact tolerances. These parts eliminate vibration and maintain perfect alignment.

Performance

Lantern delivers the warmth and body of a world-class paper driver with the clarity and openness of a modern horn. It offers a rich midrange, clean upper registers, and an inviting, holographic presentation — even at low listening levels.