TIW 250 XS - 8 Ohm

With its CONGA Visaton has produced a "big brother" to accompany the classic 3-band combinations such as the CLASSIC 200 or CLASSIC 200 GF. With a cabinet volume of 85 litres and the 25-cm subwoofer drivers mounted on the front, this column speaker is an impressive eye-catcher.

The external appearance is underlined by the solid bass foundations provided by the TIW 250 XS - 8 OHM. This high-end woofer masters the art of powerful, responsive surges of bass just as efficiently as more restrained and subtle bass accompaniment.

The AL 130 M - 8 OHM, the specially modified version of the popular AL 130 - 8 OHM designed to produce higher sensitivity in the mid-range, continues the virtually linear frequency response seamlessly at a high level.

The KE 25 SC - 8 OHM tweeter, which cuts in at 3500 Hz, has no difficulty at all producing brilliant, crystal clear treble, even at high volume levels, which is why this ceramic dome driver is so ideally suited to rounding off the upper end of this powerful 3-band combination.

Well aware that the following statement may polarise opinions: the CONGA speakers are real men's speakers.

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.

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.

The VOX 253 is an upright speaker with its subwoofer TIW 250 XS - 8 Ohm let into the side-wall. This design enables the front panel to be kept very narrow making it that much easier to position. One of the most outstanding features of the TIW 250 XS - 8 Ohm is its unbelievable ability to reproduce the lowest range bass in surprisingly small cabinets. In the listening area, the bass pressure becomes tangible rather than audible, the sort of effect you would normally only expect from much larger speakers. As a result of the side-opening position of the TIW 250 XS - 8 Ohm, the separating frequency between the subwoofer and the mid-range drivers has to be very low. This has been achieved by means of an especially intelligent frequency cross-over design.

In order not to restrict the dynamics at higher bass levels, a bass reflextube with an exceptionally large cross-section and corresponding length has been designed. In this way, flow-related losses are kept to a minimum. The vent is at the bottom in the rear wall so as not to interfere with the attractive appearance of the front face.

The only difference between VOX 253 and VOX 252 is the new woofer TIW 250 XS - 8 Ohm. A change of the crossover was not necessary.

This version of the VOX contains the high-end ceramic dome tweeter KE 25 SC - 8 Ohm. An 18 dB high-pass filter produces an optimum phase relationship between tweeter an midrange. This creates an improvement of the clear location of each individual voice or instrument.

Due to the deep starting frequency of the MHT 12 - 8 Ohm it is possible to make use of this magnetostat in the VOX 253. Of course, the crossoverhas to be changed from that used in the original version with its KE 25 SC - 8 Ohm. Fortunately, the AL 130 - 8 Ohm 's only have to be separated slightly higher which means we are still a long way from the baffleresonance levels. Here, too, the transfer frequency is 3000 Hz. As can be seen from the dotted frequency curves for the individual drivers, the AL 130 - 8 Ohm drop off at 2000 Hz and the MHT 12 - 8 Ohm at 4500 Hz and meet again at 3000 Hz and -6 dB. The magnetostat need not by any means produce its full output at 3000 Hz, as some people often believe. This would not make sense in terms of achieving the lowest possible distortion factor.

Since the front panel of the MHT 12 - 8 Ohm is slightly larger, the AL 130 - 8 Ohm 's have to be spaced a little further apart (10 mm).

As regards their sound quality, both versions (original VOX 253 with KE 25 SC - 8 Ohm and VOX 253 MHT) are at the same high level. The version preferred by each particular customer will depend on personal taste, the type of music you listen to and how you listen.

The VOX 253 MTI is the current highlight in the VOX series. The uncompromising approach, involving fitting the TI 100 - 8 Ohm as the low- to mid-range unit and the MHT 12 - 8 Ohm as the tweeter, worked highly successfully in the TOPAS. Following the basic design concept of the VOX series, this system is fitted with two TI 100 - 8 Ohm 's as low- to mid-range units and the TIW 250 XS - 8 Ohm as the woofer.

One particularly convenient innovation is used for the first time in the VOX 253 MTI: it is now possible to tune the bass output level on the crossoverunit. Depending on the acoustic properties of the room and personal preference, the bass output might be too strong, if the speakers are placed close to a wall, for example. The adjustment unit is mounted on the crossover unit directly parallel to the woofer and enables to listener to adjust the output level between 70 Hz and 150 Hz. The lower-frequency bass is not affected. Increasing the resistance affects the bass output: 10 ohms for a minimal reduction in bass and 3.3 ohms for maximum reduction. If the adjuster is left open (i.e. resistance is infinite), bass output reduction is deactivated.

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 bass reflex tube 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 soundproperties 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.