Characteristics and sound properties

The ARIA is a small-sized 2-band shelf-top speaker system that uses the TI 100 8 Ohm high-end mid-bass unit and the G 20 SC 8 Ohm dome tweeter. The unit is equally well suited to life as a satellite in a straightforward stereo system or for use in a multichannel set-up. It can be combined with larger speakers such as the VOX 200 where it takes over the centre or effect role or a full set of them can be used to cover all channels. The lower limiting frequency is at 75 Hz, i.e. deep-bass should be left to an active subwoofer and the satellites will need protecting with a high-pass section or, in multichannel systems, they should be run in small mode.

If the speakers are positioned right by the wall or in a shelving unit, the bass reflex tube will be partly damped or completely stifled, which can compensate for excessively boosted bass.

Characteristics and sound properties

The ARIA 2 is a small-sized 2-band shelf-top speaker system that uses two TI 100 8 Ohm high-end mid-bass units and the G 20 SC 8 Ohm dome tweeter. The unit is equally well suited to life as a satellite in a straightforward stereo system or for use in a multichannel set-up. It can be combined with larger speakers such as the VOX 200 where it takes over the centre or effect role or a full set of them can be used to cover all channels. The lower limiting frequency is at 75 Hz, i.e. deep-bass should be left to an active subwoofer and the satellites will need protecting with a high-pass section or, in multichannel systems, they should be run in small mode.

If the speakers are positioned right by the wall or in a shelving unit, the bass reflex tube will be partly damped or completely stifled, which can compensate for excessively boosted bass.

Characteristics and sound properties

This variant of the ARIA 2 has been fitted out with the KE 25 SC 8 Ohm as an alternative and the crossover adapted accordingly.

A complete kit for this suggestion is available via www.vc-mailorderservice.de.

Characteristics and sound properties

The ARIA 2 MHT CENTER is equipped with the popular combination of drivers consisting of the TI 100 8 Ohm and the MHT 12 8 Ohm. As a result of this choice of drivers and the linear frequency response, it is ideally suited as a complementary centre speaker in conjunction with the VOX 253 MTI or TOPAS, for example, to produce a high-end home theatre system. As already seen in the ARIA 2, the magnetostat is positioned in the middle of the slim-line baffle and is flanked by the two titanium mid-bass units.

In contrast to centre speakers featuring a genuine D'Appolito arrangement, the ARIA 2 MHT CENTER is well suited to horizontal positioning e.g. above or below the television set, because it does not have anything like the same beaming effect. The sophisticated 2.5-band crossover circuitry is responsible for this feature. The crossover separates one of the two mid-bass units at 1800 Hz while the second is not separated until 4500 Hz is reached, to leave the higher frequencies to the magnetostat.
This deliberate individual treatment of the two TI 100 8 Ohm prevents noticeable directivity which, in a vertically placed D'Appolito arrangement, would be intentional but in a horizontally placed centre speaker must be avoided at all costs to ensure that all the seating positions in the home theatre are treated to the same volume levels.

Characteristics and sound properties

This variant of the ARIA has been fitted out with the KE 25 SC 8 Ohm as an alternative and the crossover adapted accordingly.

A complete kit for this suggestion is available via www.vc-mailorderservice.de.

Characteristics and sound properties

The ARIA MHT is a variant of the popular smaller ARIA shelf-top speaker. Instead of being fitted with a fabric dome driver, the ARIA MHT has the excellent MHT 12 8 Ohm magnetostat. As a result, the crossover had to be tuned exactly to match the two drivers. Since magnetostats should not be separated at too low a frequency, the transfer frequency was set at 5000 Hz. This results in extremely clear high-frequency output even at high volumes. Getting the crossover to the right level to allow the TI 100 8 Ohm to operate up to 5000 Hz took some effort. This high-end mid-bass unit can produce unusually long cone excursion due to its long voice coil, which means it can generate a bass output level that is surprising considering the compact size. Thanks to the extremely rigid titanium diaphragm, the TI 100 8 Ohm stands out in the mid-range due to excellent overall presence and vocal clarity. In conjunction with the silky smooth treble range for which magnetostats are famous, this combination is a clear contender for the premium high-end loudspeaker league. Although the ARIA MHT produces powerful bass when used as a shelf speaker, it makes sense to add an active subwoofer if you need to emphasise the lowest frequencies.

Characteristics and sound properties

This version of the COUPLET has been specifically designed for use as a centre speaker in multichannel systems. The drivers and crossover fitted are the same as in the original COUPLET. However, instead of the bass reflex arrangement, a smaller, enclosed housing has been selected. This saves space. The loss of deep-bass that this involves is of no consequence if the centre channel is run in small mode, since this means the bass below 80 or 100 Hz is transferred to the main speakers or subwoofer.
Normally, there is not enough space to stand the cabinet up in a bookshelf, or above or below the TV set. If it is laid on its side, the radiation pattern will suffer as a result of the horizontal sound focussing effect. This will be noticed if the listener is seated to one side of the optimum seating position. As a result, this sample arrangement places the tweeter outside the main axis while the woofers are moved closer together.
Use of these speakers in the vicinity of a TV set requires the drivers to be magnetically shielded. Otherwise, there will be distortions and incorrect colouration on the screen . The G 20 SC 8 Ohm tweeter used here is already magnetically shielded. The AL 130 8 Ohm mid-bass units can easily be shielded using the KM 80 compensating magnet which is simply glued to the rear of the magnet system. One KM 80 per driver will lead to a reduction in the scatter field and, in many cases, a second KM 80 will lead to even greater improvement. This will depend on the sensitivity of the TV set and the exact position of the speakers.

No longer available.

Characteristics and sound properties

The CT CENTER 81 is a compact, enclosed 3-way system with well-balanced sound quality and complete magnetic shielding, as required for example if positioned close to a TV or PC. Inside the cabinet, we use magnetically shielded speakers, types F 8 SC 8 Ohm (8 cm full-range) and SC 5 8 Ohm (10 mm tweeter) and the complete speaker then meets the shielding requirements of the THX® regulations (3-Gaussian curve). The asymmetric design of the front baffle and of the crossover unit provide good omnidirectional sound distribution both vertically and horizontally. It is possible to install the speakers in the upright position, as is usual for multimedia systems, or lying down on top of a TV, as is usual with surround systems.

In terms of sound quality, the CT CENTER 81 produces clear-cut sound, well removed from the speakers, but with remarkably well-formed bass reproduction for a system of this size.

Characteristics and sound properties

The 2-way FONTANA system is a 360° omnidirectional speaker with a highly attractive appearance and is particularly well suited as an effect speaker. The speakers are arranged so that they point upwards and reflect the sound output by means of two specially shaped cones. This results in a uniformly distributed frequency response, that matches your hearing expectations in the room.

The best sound quality is achieved if these omnidirectional speakers are positioned about 50 cm to 1 m from a wall. This produces spatial sound of such tangible quality that it is perceived at any position in the room. Virtual sound sources, such as instruments or voices perceived to be between the speakers, can be clearly located from any seating position in the room, which gives listeners a freedom of movement in the room they have never had before and this holds true even in acoustically difficult rooms. This results in extraordinary diffusion fields for the effects channels in Dolby® Surround and multi-channel systems.

The DT 94 8 Ohm tweeters, ideal for this type of system, working in conjunction with the mid-bass AL 170 8 Ohm and the carefully tuned crossover unit, ensure balanced, neutral sound reproduction. Low-range bass frequencies are boosted by the BR 15.34 tube, which is situated in the bottom of the bass chamber and guarantees clear, powerful bass reproduction.

The omnidirectional FONTANA, tested in an anechoic chamber, achieved a maximum volume of 98 dB. If positioned, as recommended, near a wall, however, the system produces + 6 dB or, in a corner of the room, + 9 dB, making this omnidirectional speaker ideally suited even for larger rooms. If required, two FONTANA's can be installed on each side to produce a full surround field. To do so, position one omnidirectional speaker to the side of the seating arrangement and a second one behind that. The same applies to the other side.

The FONTANA is ideal as a fullrange effects speaker system for high-quality surround sound systems for movies and music, but can just as well be used as the main loudspeaker for hi-fi stereo systems to give you excellent spatial listening pleasure for your favourite music.

Characteristics and sound properties

The VOX 253-CENTER is the corresponding centre speaker to match the VOX 253. This is a horizontal speaker equipped with identical drivers. The TIW 250 XS 8 OHM bass speaker and a BR 14.70 tube are positioned to left and right of the mid- to high-range unit, which is arranged vertically, behind a fabric-covered frame. If required, the drivers in the speaker can be fitted with compensating magnets to shield them magnetically. The VOX 253-CENTER has the same excellent sound properties as the VOX 253. The reproduction of the unbelievably sonorous low-range bass and, at the same time, extremely clear-cut mid- and high-range reproduction, is mastered effortlessly by the VOX 253-CENTER.

This centre speaker is the ideal choice if you want to build up a multi-channel system around the VOX 253, that will appeal to both seasoned music lovers and aficionados of the cinema.