Characteristics and sound properties

Just because your sitting-room isn't large enough for big speakers, doesn't mean you have to do without high-quality sound. The VISATON subwoofer satellite system, ALTO Genesis, provides excellent listening pleasure in a very small space.

Separating the subwoofer into two cabinets - left and right channels - means that the assignment to the corresponding satellite speaker is hidden. On the other hand, the two subwoofers can also be placed together as mono subwoofers. The bandpass subwoofer cabinet contains the 13 cm long-stroke woofer W 130 S 8 Ohm. The well-balanced driver, cabinet and frequency parameters enable the subwoofer to be separated off at 110 Hz with a slope rate of 30 dB/octave. That is a level seldom achieved even by active subwoofers. The satellite speakers are also steeply cut off towards the bottom end by means of an optimised crossover unit. This optimised coupling technique means the position of the subwoofer is in reality not determinable.

The small shelf-mounted satellite speakers produce the lively high frequencies and a balanced mid-range and provide the overall spatial qualities required. The tuning frequency cuts in at 110 Hz.

Characteristics and sound properties

The MB 115/B building suggestion is a bass speaker for professional musicians. If fullrange musicians' speakers need boosting the bass department, you need bass speakers with a comparatively high level of efficiency. Bass reflex speakers have the advantage of a low limiting frequency, but this also means they need a large cone area with the large cabinet that this entails, in order to produce sufficient sound pressure. A completely uncompromising bass speaker should really be enormous. However, the MB 115/B makes use of a cleverly designed flare geometry, perfectly matched to the BGS 40 8 Ohm driver, to produce a relatively compact horn. A limiting frequency of 50 Hz is a perfectly respectable level for a musician coupled with an output level of 96 dB above 60 Hz under open-field conditions (no walls, no floor) at just 1 watt is an excellent starting point for extreme bass pressure. It must be taken into account that, positioned on the floor away from walls, this figure increases by 3 dB and near a corner by as much as 9 dB. We measured peak output levels of as much as 125 dB (above 60 Hz) under favourable conditions. And all that with the typical horn-like, bone-dry sound characteristics an experience for aficionados of solid-level, dynamic sound!

The horn sound develops in a vortex beginning in front of the diaphragm and moving outwards towards the opening. At the rear, the woofer acts on a small, enclosed compartment. This prevents the stroke in the low bass and subsonic ranges from becoming too extreme which prevents mechanical damage to the driver. The impedance curve retains a pleasingly high level throughout. This means that the booster is not overloaded and the voice coil does not overheat. Crucial points in the tough daily life of professional musicians.

Active separation is recommended. This allows the optimal position between separating frequency and slope rate to be found. As a cost-saving alternative, we have also developed a passive crossover. This system separates at 150 Hz and goes well with the top-of-the-range MB 208/H, if the recommended high-pass section is used ( refer to MB 208/H ).

Characteristics and sound properties

A compact subwoofer is usually a compromise between keeping the outer dimensions to a minimum and producing adequate bass sound. To ensure that the tidy size for use in the living-room does not impair one's listening pleasure, a certain minimum cabinet volume is essential. The 15 litres available in the MINI SUB 170 have been realised in a cabinet that is only 20 cm wide. With its depth of 39 cm and a height of 30 cm, the MINI SUB 170 will easily find a space beside, on or even under any piece of furniture of standard dimensions.

The long-excursion aluminium AL 170 8 Ohm woofer generates no less than 85 dB (at a distance of 1 metre) in conjunction with the front bass reflex vent at one watt and from 65 Hz. Within the range from 40 Hz to 70 Hz, the series-connected 800-µF capacitor raises the output level by a further 2 dB. As a result, this small-sized speaker cabinet sounds far more grown-up than its physical size would suggest.

The MINI SUB 170 is a perfect complement to a compact satellite system (stereo and home theatre) or PC speakers which are often sadly lacking in the bass department. In other words, it will always be suitable where a chunky subwoofer monster will either not fit or is not desirable but you do not want to do without a solid low-frequency musical foundation.

Characteristics and sound properties

For the high-end TIW 250 XS 8 Ohm woofer we recommend one of two cabinet sizes: either a small, space saving version with a net volume of 30 litres ( SUB T-25.30 ) or a somewhat larger version with 50 litres net volume and a lower tuning ( SUB T-25.50 ).

As one would expect, the SUB T-25.50 provides warmer, deeper bass, and the lower limiting frequency is 25 Hz, considerably lower than for the SUB T-25.30. But it is particularly in smaller rooms that the 30 litre version comes into its own. The missing low-bass (approx. 3 dB at 35 Hz) can easily be compensated for by applying a little electronic bass boost. Of course, the maximum volume level will be slightly lower as a result.

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

Characteristics and sound properties

For the high-end TIW 250 XS 8 Ohm woofer we recommend one of two cabinet sizes: either a small, space saving version with a net volume of 30 litres ( SUB T-25.30 ) or a somewhat larger version with 50 litres net volume and a lower tuning ( SUB T-25.50 ).

As one would expect, the SUB T-25.50 provides warmer, deeper bass, and the lower limiting frequency is 25 Hz, considerably lower than for the SUB T-25.30. But it is particularly in smaller rooms that the 30 litre version comes into its own. The missing low-bass (approx. 3 dB at 35 Hz) can easily be compensated for by applying a little electronic bass boost. Of course, the maximum volume level will be slightly lower as a result.

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

Characteristics and sound properties

The SUB T-30.60 has been developed as a support for high-performance systems. The TIW 300 8 Ohm woofer used here with its large, multi-vented voice coil, is of a design which enables it to work at high output levels and still maintain clear, precise sound. In the recommended cabinet, it manages a very impressive sound pressure of 89 dB (1W/1m) at 30 Hz lower limiting frequency.

The recommended cabinet has 60 litres net volume and is still compact enough to integrate easily in most living rooms. The large-format bass reflex tube effectively suppresses flow losses and flow noise. To guarantee the rigidity of the cabinet, the floor and front panel are double and with additional strengthening struts.

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

Characteristics and sound properties

The SUB W-20.39 is the ideal subwoofer for boosting the bass output of smaller or medium-sized speakers (e.g. CT MAIN 100 ). On the one hand, it is powerful enough to generate driving low-range bass effects in normal rooms and, on the other hand, highly compact. In large rooms or if extremely high bass output is required for longer periods, a second subwoofer of the same type can be added.
If the SUB W-20.39 is to be used in the vicinity of a TV set, then instead of the W 200 S 4 OHM, we recommend using the magnetically shielded W 200 SC 4 OHM. This prevents the TV being distorted by the magnetic scatter field.
In addition, it is also possible to use the 8 ohm version of the woofer (W 200 S 8 OHM, W 200 SC 8 OHM) if the amplifier used does not allow lower impedance speakers to be connected or if several subwoofers are to be combined.
Not available as a complete kit.

Characteristics and sound properties

The subwoofer TL-SUB 30 is suitable for highly accurate sound reproduction of the deepest bass in the subsonic zone. If you are prepared and able to give up about half a cubic metre of sitting-room space and are even thinking of rearranging the furniture, the TL-SUB 30 with its ultra-low bass is just what you are looking for. One thing has to be said right from the start: the bass churned out by this system at the lowest octave level is by no means the thumping disco bass that hits you right in the stomach, but is, on the contrary, as smooth as cream. It is not locatable in the room and is felt as a sort of air movement that makes your trouser legs move. The ultra-low bass give you a fascinating feeling of being there live - provided, of course, the software has the channel programmed into it.

As regards the speaker construction, we have a double transmission line equipped with two a TIW 300 8 Ohm. By not damping the cabinets, tremendous efficiency has been achieved, which, if the speakers are positioned in the corners, will attain levels of 114 dB at 20 Hz and a maximum sound pressure of 121 dB from 30 Hz. The output level is restricted by the mechanical construction of the speakers, to prevent the mechanical load from exceeding 200 W. We recommend combining the system with an active subwoofer module with a cut-off frequency of 50 Hz and, preferably with a subsonic filter in the pre-amp to protect the loudspeakers against mechanical overloading below 15 Hz.

This definitive lowest-range subwoofer is also suitable for supplementing larger home video applications for large rooms and small cinemas. The subwoofer can equally well be positioned upright in a corner of the room or lying in front of a wall of the room. It might be said that the reproduction of that last octave of bass sound is something of a luxury, considering the expense, but real music and home video aficionados will welcome the uncompromising approach of this system. The TL-SUB 30 generates "deep black" bass that will set the house rocking on its foundations and turns films that use this technology into unforgettable experiences.

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

Characteristics and sound properties

The UNI-SUB 30 employes two W 300 S 8 Ohm on the push-pull principle. These are screwed back-to-back to the baffle and one woofer is assigned to each stereo channel. The results are worth listening to. The frequency graph shows the high level of efficiency and the almost ideal bandpass characteristics of this subwoofer. This is connected directly in parallel to the stereo speakers whose bass needs boosting. For this reason it is important that the impedance curve of the subwoofer does not too fall to too low levels as otherwise the booster might be overloaded. Nevertheless, one should be careful with low-impedance speakers and amplifiers without protective circuitry (very rare today) not to set the volume too high.

The tonality of this universal subwoofer can be described as precise and very dynamic and is particularly well suited to reproducing high output levels.

The high efficiency of the UNI-SUB 30 supports medium sized speakers in the bass and low bass range and this gives the music its live feel.
Not available as a complete kit.