Criterion CTL

Criterion CTL Loudspeakers

S 2000 CTL

The S 2000 CTL

With a height of just 96 cm the S 2000 CTL is the smallest and slimmest floor-standing speaker in the range. It is of very similar construction to the other floor-standing loudspeakers, and features the same textile dome tweeter as the two larger models. With a diameter of 15 cm the bass drivers are slightly smaller, while the mid-range unit is 12 cm in size. These units are also completely new designs, sharing the same construction features and level of refinement as the drivers employed in the large models.

Technology

In spite of its modest height the S 2000 CTL also ranks as a fully developed transmission line floor-standing speaker with a very long transmission line; this is made possible by the substantial depth of the cabinet and the folded duct. The two 15 cm bass drivers have a very low resonant frequency, and are exactly matched to this line. Their extremely hard, embossed cones enable them to generate a very low, forceful and accurate bass. The 12 cm mid-range unit, the dome tweeter and the sculpted baffle form an acoustic unit which guarantees a constant radiation pattern in the transitional area between mid-range and treble (CD = Constant Directivity). Combined with the narrow baffle, this is responsible for the speaker’s superb radiation characteristics and astonishingly spacious sound.

Since the dome tweeter is positioned below the mid-range unit, the acoustic axis in the mid / treble range rises as the distance to the listener increases, thereby compensating for the speaker’s small height. This is helped by the carefully calculated design of the crossover unit. These features help to produce brilliant, natural-sounding reproduction of the entire mid / treble range significantly above the speaker itself. In spite of its small size the S 2000 CTL is effortlessly capable of processing high levels, and generates very good deep bass responce. It sounds free and natural, with astonishingly spacious sound and dynamic range.

S 2100 CTL

The S 2100 CTL

The S 2100 is the medium-sized floor-standing speaker in the CTL series; although it is more compact it is still not small, as it measures a full metre in height. This size ensures that there is ample volume available for the transmission line, which in turn generates very powerful low bass at high volume. In terms of construction it is very similar to the S 2200 CTL; the only difference is that the woofers are slightly smaller. The two 17 cm bass units exactly mirror the 22 cm drivers of the larger S 2200 CTL in design and features. Their resonant frequency is low, they are matched to the transmission line just as accurately, and their extremely hard, embossed cones generate very deep, forceful and accurate bass.

Technology

As in its big sister, the speaker’s 15 cm mid-range, textile dome treble unit and sculpted “organic baffle” combine to form an acoustic unit which we have named CD = Constant Directivity. This is responsible for the speaker’s superbly spacious sound and outstanding radiation characteristics. The impregnated textile dome tweeter retains its lively, airy qualities even when reproducing extreme dynamic peaks, without any tendency to sound hard or sharp. Like all CTL loudspeakers the S 2100 CTL is fitted with a sophisticated double-sided three-way crossover unit (FSR). It is effortlessly capable of handling even the highest levels, and provides perfect control of the three frequency ranges. The speaker’s impressive imaging and dispersion characteristics over the full frequency range are a direct result of the design of the crossover. The S 2100 CTL is effortlessly capable of processing very high levels, and provides a quality of low bass previously considered impossible from a cabinet of this modest size. Nevertheless, its bass response is not quite a match for that of the S 2200 CTL. Like the latter, its refined, carefully developed design also makes it the perfect choice for reproducing the most delicate music with natural sensitivity.

S 2200 CTL

The S 2200 CTL

The S 2200 CTL is the top model, and features the largest bass drivers of the three. It demonstrates the basic principles of the CTL series in exemplary form. Each model features two special bass drivers, a “wide-range” mid-range unit and a completely new type of super treble dome tweeter made of specially impregnated textile. The only differences between the three floor-standing speakers are the dimensions of their cabinets and the size of the drive units employed.

Technology

The S 2200 CTL is a large, fully developed floor-standing transmission line speaker with a very long transmission line. Its pair of newly developed long-throw woofers, with a diameter of 22 cm, are perfectly matched to the cabinet and the resonant frequency of the transmission line. Their extremely low resonant frequency ensures that the speaker offers incredibly deep, forceful and accurate bass, while their peak handling capability is faultless even at extreme levels. They are devoid of distortion and offer a full dynamic range. These characteristics are due to the sophisticated overall design of the system: hard, embossed cones, aluminium baskets with narrow struts and very great maximum texcursion, powerful magnets and large high-performance voice coils. The 15 cm mid-range driver is also a new development, and forms – in conjunction with the textile treble unit and the subtly sculpted baffle (organic baffle) – an acoustic unit which we have named CD = Constant Directivity. It is responsible for the speaker’s superlative dispersion pattern and astonishingly spacious sound. The S 2200 CTL is effortlessly capable of processing enormously high levels, yet its refined, carefully developed design also makes it the perfect choice for reproducing the most delicate music with natural sensitivity.