rreid66

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is a revisitation with an old, highly regarded speaker system.

We bought the original Cambridge SoundWorks Ensemble in 1991. These four speakers served as the main left and right speakers for our first combined home theater and music listening area. Beginning in 2001 the Ensemble was used by other family members. After a while, they began using a different speaker system and placed the Ensemble aside in a storage closet. They remained unused for several years until 2009. We needed speakers to provide us with better sound from our small TV. The internal TV speakers were utterly lacking in definition and bass extension, but by adding the old Ensemble connected to a Sony STRDE935 receiver, our TV sound has come alive. Although it does not descend to the deepest possible bass, the bass is more than satisfactory. Now voice and music come through the Ensemble with definition, timbre, treble extension, and bass foundation.

We do our primary music listening and film viewing in another part of the house with a 7.1 speaker system and a large-screen TV, but the Ensemble significantly improved the audio of the smaller TV. We are quite pleased that the 18-year old Ensemble has again found a place in our lives. In spite of its age, the Ensemble has lost none of its fine aural character, I think we'll use it for another 18 years.

Price Paid:  $499.00 from Cambridge Soundworks

Summary:
This review is directed at audiophiles who want to get high performance on a budget from this system, which may be available used for very little money. Professional musician and recording engineer Dennis states in a post below that we should ignore the "audiophile snobs" on this forum who denigrate Henry Kloss' Ensemble. True, but he probably doesn't know that the Snob-Snob-Snobbiest of them all, The Absoulute Sound, has annointed the Ensemble into the High End. Here are exerpts from their November/December, 1990 review, at the list price of $599.00: "Every once in a while, a new product comes along that steals the show. Unfortunately, many of these new products also steal your wallet. What is unusual about this speaker is the combination of its low price, high sound quality, and the ease with which it fits into one's living environment... Bottom line, I have not heard a loudspeaker system, even at twice the price, perform this well... If you want high quality on a budget, or excellence in a second listening system, I highly recommend the Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble." --- Patrick H. Donleycott Reviewer Judy Davidson, after complaining that the previous system she reviewed-- which cost about FOUR times as much as the Ensemble-- was unsatisfactory, goes on to say, "When I replaced them with the Cambridge system, I suddenly realized how much music I had been missing. I had almost forgotten how good recorded music can sound and found myself... pulling out record after record and listening all the way through each one, basking in the music itself and forgetting about speakers and cables and amps and placement and imaging and response and such... only the music was important. Any speaker that can evoke such a reaction deserves high recommendation, and the Cambridge Ensemble well deserves it. Again, I echo PHD, buy the Cambridge Ensemble before they figure out how much it is really worth!" Another professional review exerpt: Ensmeble has "...crisp, balanced sound... stereo image is phenomenally sharp-- some of the best I've heard... the dynamics are stunning.... some of the speakers I'm comparing it to cost $1900.00 to $2800.00..."--- High Performance Review As for myself, I agree with Dennis and Rich posted below that the Ensemble is a high-end bargain lurking in the mass market. I also think that the Kloss CSW Model Six is the same, at a lower price and performance point. Both systems need care in placement, and sufficient break-in to satisfy. And they will jump to life if fed a quality signal from an amp that can deliver short bursts of high current on demand. This type of amplification is available on the cheap from NAD in the new C320BEE integrated, among others. With a 1991 model 60 wpc. Philips receiver, the Ensemble sounds OK, but the limitations of the amplifier are fully evident. The same probably goes for most mass-market receivers which are ten years or more newer than that one. The Ensemble is inefficient, with an 85 dB rating. An efficient, ported design would be a better choice for mass market amplification. (The CSW Model Six has a 90 dB rating, and is also acoustic suspension.) Unfortunately, CSW does not publish a break-in period for their Kloss designs. (I was told by Walter, one of their first telephone advisors, that they need break-in when I called to question their sound.) I think that about 50 hours is needed at a moderately loud level, with full-range, dynamic program material. (Try a copy of Sergio Mendes' Brasiliero)*. Some say that break-in is purely psychological, and that it is the ears and brain of the listener which get used to the sound of the new speaker. Surely this happens when the speakers are listened to. I have listened to brand new speakers briefly, and then broken them in WITHOUT listening (even though this is a pain in the butt, and I dislike wasting time and effort). I think they sound better after being used awhile. You must decide for yourself. Some highly regarded speaker designers advocate break-in. It is surely true that speakers, as mechanical and electrical devices, will sound worse as they get many years of use, depending on the materials they are made of. The Ensemble satellites need solid, sand-fillable stands to perform. They sound bad on the flimsy ones that CSW and others sell for satellites. These two oversights are the result of the meeting of a high-end speaker with the mass-market sales approach, in my opinion. Ensemble vs. New Ensemble I have just purchased a New Ensemble because I plan to listen for another 30 years, and might need a spare. CSW discovered a few of these pushed back in their warehouse. They were supposed to have been gone a year and a half ago. I couldn't resist the price of $249. As of now, I have 50 hours of break-in time on the new ones, and have made a comparison to the originals. There is either a little more energy in the upper midrange or a little less energy in the lower midrange from the new satellites. I can't say which I prefer, and I know that I wouldn't notice this without anal-retentive audiophile listening. I have heard much greater change with substituting interconnects or speaker cables. More time on the new ones, or a bit different distance from the rear wall for each set, will probably erase the slight difference. Or, maybe my old set is showing just a hint of aging, and the new set is identical to the originals when they were new. The tweeters in both are the final versions of the Kloss cone with center dome tweeter, which one of the most highly regarded designers in history developed during a 30 year career. Finally, the Ensemble has allowed me to spend many, many times its price on source and amplification components and carefully chosen "budget" high end cables-- and recordings! I have heard the effect (or no effect) of each equipment change and have built the system around these speakers. I enjoy the well made and played recordings and am bothered by the poorly made ones, especially if the music is good. But, that is what you get with a fairly uncolored system. Some tips on getting the most out of the Ensemble Again, solid, sand-fillable stands are essential for the satellites. I can get a 34" height with the ones I use, which are not made anymore (Arcici Rigid Riser, tall version). I think that 40" is too high and 28" is the minimum. I have requested an adjustable, sand-fillable stand from Studio Tech, in their SP line. We shall see if they make one. Use three balls of Handi-Tak about 1/2 inch diameter to mount the speaker directly to the top plate. Better yet, make a platform of plexiglass or finished plywood to fit on the top plate spikes and mount the speaker to the platform. Put the speaker very near the front edge of the platform or top plate. Don't skip the sand. Much of the complaint of thin lower midrange and upper bass on this forum, and of confused imaging, is caused by poor speaker support. The bass units' performance can be improved by making spiked stands. Use 1 1/2 X 5 3/8 inch lumber, cut to the long dimension of the cabinet. Paint them gloss or semi-gloss black. Buy spikes from Parts Express. Mount the speakers with three balls of Handi-Tak about 7/8 inch diameter. If you want to mount the bass units with the speakers upward, put them flush to one side of the stand and put ballast weight on the other side of the stand. In a small room, the satellites can give a full midrange at 18-24 inches from the rear wall. They should be closer in a larger room. Experiment with bass unit positions. More low bass-- closer to room boundries and/or closer to each other. Less low bass-- farther away from room boundaries and from each other. (With movie sound effects in the mind of the designer, who invented home theatre about 15 years too early and lost plenty of money doing it, the bass units and satellites were designed to reject frequencies below 40 hertz which could damage the drivers.) Use a bi-wire connection, one cable to each speaker from the same set of amp terminals. You can experiment with speaker placement using zip cord, but the speakers deserve high quality cable if they are receiving a high quality signal. I favor Audioquest Type 4+, and I think it is unnecessary to spend more. Of course, all cables should be the same length. *Speaker break-in technique. You need a mono signal, with one side connected out of phase. Place the speakers facing each other. You need about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of separation for the bass. With satellites, you can place them closer together to get maximum cancellation of the midrange, and some of the treble. The out of phase signals will cancel the bass almost entirely. This way you can turn it up and not have much sound. Be sure that you don't overdrive the amp to clipping, which will wreck the speakers.

Strengths:
Capable of true high end performance when set up properly, down to 40 hertz. Placement flexibility adapts to room effects better than traditional cabinets can.

Weaknesses:
Being sold by a mass-market retailer. Need care in mounting and placement.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I bought these speaker when Best Buy was disconting selling them I can remember how much I paided though I think around $200. I've Been really pleas with them they work great for play music or for use as suround sound speakers. I found the sound to be smooth and very clean even when played at high volumes. The bass responce is a bit lacking though a problem I've solved by adding a bass cube 10. Over all they've been an excelent speaker the sound good at high and low volumes I haven't heard a better sud/sat. set of speakers for under $500.

Strengths:
Smooth clean sound, ablity to sound good at high and low levels. Sound good play movies or music.

Weaknesses:
Poor bass responce

Similar Products Used:
Advent Baby III, Cerwin Vega VS120

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Resale Shop

Summary:
I'm writing this in response to the woofer/subwoofer info in other reviews. I do not have the small speakers, just the ?woofers? They are both driven by a 50 watt sony subwoofer w/ sonys' sub disconnected. This is part of a complete A/V system. When I purchased these, I e-mailed CSW & they told me the "bass units" have a 150hz filter built in. Now my big old Pioneer mains (w/a 12" woofer) have a crossover that sents 800hz down to the woofer. Many subwoofers are at 180hz & down. That in my book makes these subwoofers, though a litte light on the extreme low end. (but quite good for a 8"). In my setup they work wonderful for home theater, far better that the sony. I plan on buying an inexpensive used 50-100watt 2ch amp off e-bay & running these as left & right channel subs -awesome sound - particularly for music. For $100 bucks or so amping them will be one of the best "tweaks" for these speakers - and massive bang for the buck. You could also marry them to an upgraded bookshelf speaker.(jbl S-36s' are a good deal right now). I'm rating at 4 so I don't mess up the rating of the whole system - plus I like them.

Strengths:
Size of bass units- I love the slender cabinets. Sounds great for an 8".

Weaknesses:
A little light on the very low end - amplifications' a big help.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer, Marantz, Bose, Realistic, Many others.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
These are some of the worst speakers I have ever heard. My friend bought these and they sounded ok (considering) the size of the satellites. But the satellites are too small to support any kind of midbass. Midbass is what makes speakers sound warm, if it is lacking they sound cold and sterile. Furthermore, the tweeter is made of paper! It is pathetic to have such a poor choice as a paper tweeter, It sounds unrefined and scratchy. The subwoofers that come with these speakers lack any output and the dynamic range is lousy. Henry Kloss (the designer)markets these speakers to potential Bose buyers. People are always "Amazed" when they hear alot of sound coming from small speakers. But if you listen to the sound quality and actually knew HOW TO LISTEN you would be disapointed. If you want decent speakers for $400 to $600 buy some used high end brand on ebay. Why not, what are you afraid of, they will work and they will sound much better. Problem is people would rather buy something that is marketed toward a mindless consumer than actually get value for their money. If you have a brain and want some excellent used speakers here is a short list of choices, Dynaudio,Magnepan,B&W,Meadowlark,PSB. Do yourself a favor, buy used high end that is slightly out-dated (Last years model) Nothing has changed in audio equipement, only superficially.

Strengths:
lots of "sound" from a little box

Weaknesses:
poor sound quality.

Similar Products Used:
rubbing a fork against a chalk board, listening to the moans of cats in heat.