CN 191
A masterpiece of acoustic engineering coupled with unique and unforgettable Art Deco styling.
For a loudspeaker first introduced more than three quarters of a century ago to compete with any of today's state of the art systems would be extraordinary; for it to outperform them - quite astonishing.
The bass cabinet is an ingeniously conceived folded horn, designed to be sited in the corner of a room where the walls and floor serve to greatly extend the effective size of the horn mouth, and thus bass performance. Loaded with our AK151 15" bass driver, designed specifically for acoustic duties such as these, it has no difficulties in reproducing frequencies as low as 30Hz.
Hidden behind the bronze grille of the top cover, the famous S2 pressure unit handles the mid and upper frequencies. Connected to a special variant of the R300W exponential dispersive horn with its high mass, non resonant construction it offers a smooth and super-detailed response up to 16kHz.
In its standard form, the enclosure is open backed, and for optimum operation must be closely fitted into a room corner. If required, the units are supplied with adjustable battens and sealing strips that can be positioned to provide an effective seal against the wall even in instances where the corner is out of square or skirtings are present. Alternatively, side baffles can be specified which simplify the process of installation and give more flexibility with regard to positioning.
Constructed from the finest Scandinavian birch plywood, and finished with selected fine walnut veneers, matching hardwood and gilded details, the cabinets are produced to order here in our own workshops to the highest possible standards, using a mix of the finest traditional and modern techniques.
System Type: 2-way horn loaded. Corner placement.
Power Handling Capacity: 100 Watts
Sensitivity: 105dB @ 1 Watt / 1 Metre
Frequency Response: 30Hz - 16kHz
Impedance: 15 Ohms
Crossover Frequency: 500 Hz
Filter Attenuation: 12 dB per octave
Attenuation of Balance control: 0-8dB
Low Frequency Drive Unit: Vitavox AK151
Mid/High Frequency Drive Unit: Vitavox Type S2 Pressure Unit
Mid/High Frequency Horn: Vitavox R300W HM Exponential Radial
Cable: Vitavox SC1 oxygen free copper
Binding posts: Vitavox VX4-B
HF dispersion: 90° horizontal 20° vertical
Carcase construction: Birch plywood throughout
Finish: Lacquered walnut, metallic bronze, gilt ornamentation
Dimensions (standard): (h)1307mm x (d)714mm x (side)781mm
Dimensions (inc. side baffles): (h)1307mm x (d)739mm x (side)799mm
Weight (standard): 114 kg
Weight (inc. side baffles): 130 kg
SPECIFICATIONS
PERFORMANCE UPGRADE OPTIONS
CN 191
Several upgrade options are available to lift the performance of this magnificent loudspeaker system still further. With the exception of side baffles, all upgrades can be retro fitted.
1. Bass enclosure side baffles.
In its basic form the CN 191 utilises the room walls to provide the final expansion of the bass horn. This requires that, to achieve full bass extension, square and clear corners must be available in the proposed listening room, and that proper care be taken on installation to ensure an airtight fit of the unit against the wall. Such a requirement can prove difficult in modern living spaces. The fitting of intregrated side baffles in the manufacture of the bass enclosure offers much increased flexibility with regard to positioning and means that these units can be installed in listening rooms which would previously have been considered innappropriate.
2. Uprated drive units.
The CN 191 is fitted as standard with the magnificent AK151 and S2 drive units. Whilst these are indeed extraordinary units built to a specification well beyond that of other manufacturers, we now offer uprated versions, in the form of the LGK151 and S4. Both of these units feature the extensive use of bronze in place of the less dense aluminium, and the resulting increase in chassis rigidity and mass give improved dynamics and resolution across the full performance bandwidth.
3. Integration of Vitavox TR32 HF
for 3-way full range performance.
The Vitavox TR32 horn loaded compression tweeter can be fitted to the CN 191, extending the system frequency response to beyond 21kHz. The TR32 is mounted via a special version of the Time Traveller, a precision machined carriage incorporating mechanical time domain control.
The Vitavox NW-500X outboard crossover is supplied in place of the integrated unit fitted to the standard, 2-way, system. This is hand-made and exquisitely finished to match the cabinets.
NOTE In addition to the upgrades listed above, further custom finishes are also available to special order. Unique veneer patterns, inlay and additional ornamentation can be incorporated after individual consultation.