In the history of loudspeaker kits, no one has ever offered a loudspeaker at the level of quality or complexity as the .A.R.T. Metro Ribbon Hybrid. Quite frankly, we do not know if offering it as a kit is a viable option, but we are willing to try it.

The Metro's fascia and cabinet require much more skill in the wood shop and finishing room than any other North Creek kit. Likewise, the fragility of the 28 pound .A.R.T. 0.9 meter ribbon driver dictates that it must be handled with extreme care and caution. Replacement ribbons are over three hundred dollars each and can only be installed in the top secret .A.R.T. room at the North Creek facility.

We have had several inquiries as to whether the .A.R.T. 0.9 meter ribbon driver or any of its larger siblings are available stand alone; that is, just the driver. The answer is "no". The reasons are that we are not willing to or capable of providing the level of technical support required for an individual to develop their own passive crossover for the ribbon. For those who would like to try an active network with the 0.9, the driver without the crossover will be immediately destroyed by a simple DC pulse, which one usually gets when turning on equipment or from a power mail flicker or brown out. Therefore, we strongly recommend against an active network. That said, with the Metro passive crossover properly connected, the .A.R.T. 0.9 meter ribbon driver is virtually indestructible. In fact, we have been able to play it so loud that one can actually see the heat ripples rising from its surface, yet the ribbon does not fail.

Lastly, anyone undertaking this project must be capable of following instructions precisely. Particularly inside of the woofer cabinet, where the crossover network is installed, there is absolutely no room for variation from the plans.

Cabinet drawings are available through this link.

We will offer ten pair of Metro kits during the trial period, which ends August 31, 2006, or when the ten pair are gone, whichever comes first. These ten pair will be sold at the introductory price. After that time, we will put the numbers together and decide whether or not to continue to offer the loudspeaker on a DIY basis.

-George E. Short III, May 11, 2006