Cento

Cento by Bernd Timmermanns as in Hobby HiFi 1/2006

Technical data:
- Impedance: 4 Ohm
- Impedance minimum: 3.2 Ohm/200 Hz
- rated SPL (2.83V/1m): 89 dB
- size without base
(HxWxD): 108 x 18 x 32.5 cm
- Frequency range (-3dB): 40-30 000 Hz
- crossover frequencies: 430, 3000 Hz
- speaker type: bass reflex

Bernd Timmermanns called this speaker "Cento", since it is assembled with parts from different manufacturers, like a choral is composed by different composers. The goal was to use particularly interesting drivers. A ribbon tweeter by Expolinear was used for high frequencies, while an extremely wide, high-end full range driver was added for mid frequencies: the Danish Scan Speak 12M 4631 G00. For bass a couple of smaller drivers should be used; two Visaton AL 130 were brought into action.

An excerpt of a review by Hobby HiFi:

"That's exactly how a loudspeaker should sound: Straight forward and thoroughly honest. With regard to sound balance the Cento has got what it takes to become a standard, vocals are extremely realistic. The wave trap is a blessing for the midrange driver. The use of this circuit results in exemplary clarity and neutral sound. The tweeter produces a musical picture down to the smallest detail without tending to exaggerate. A close resemblance to the Raven ribbon tweeter is apparent. (refer to Triga, HOBBY HiFi 5/2003). The ribbon and the Scan-Speak midrange driver become an integrated whole. Also the two bass drivers are adapting themselves to the overall sound. A prerequisite is, however, that the listening position is minimum 2.5 metres, even better 3 metres. The Cento is not suitable as a close range monitor. The sound sources relatively far apart causing disturbing skew. The two relatively small bass drivers display an extraordinary tight and clear bass foundation - one seems to recognise a close affinity to top quality bass horns. "The Cost of Freedom" by Marla Glen is a good example: Actually, this piece of music is known for a full, even rich bass. When this bass is reproduced by the Cento it acquires a structure that one would not have expected. The three-dimensionality shows a remarkable depth. The stage width is also convincing, this is however not unusual for top quality speakers." ...

Our standard kit consists of:

- Expolinear NDRL 81 MK II tweeter
- Scan Speak 12 M 4631 G00 midrange driver
- 2 Visaton AL 130 bass drivers
- 2 packs Damping 10 (or Bawotumex)
- 1/2 mat Bondum 800
- 4 bass reflex tubes HP50
- foam sealing strips
- 16 screws 4x16 mm
- 4 metres cable 2x2.5 mm2
- the building instruction

- the crossover components to be mounted on wood:
- block terminal with 4 x 10 contact pins
- 2x 2.2 mH baked varnish coil, 1.4 mm
- 12 mH core coil / 3.7 Ohm (I-982)

- 0.1 mH baked varnish coil, 0.9 mm
- 0.33 mH baked varnish coil, 0.9 mm
- 0.39 mH baked varnish coil, 0.9 mm
- 1x 100 uF ELCO, non-etched
- 2x 330 uF ELCO, etched
- 1x 82 uF ELCO, non-etched
- 1x 22 uF ELCO, non-etched
- 3x 1.5 uF Mundorf MKP/400 V
- 4.7 uF Mundorf MKP/400 V
- 4.7 uF MCAP Supreme (or Audyn Plus)
- R1 cancelled -> R(L2)
- 1.0 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-black-gold)
- 3.9 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-white-gold)
- 5.6 Ohm MOX10 resistor (green-blue-gold)
- 33 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-orange-black)

Cento Standard kit without cabinet
Price per unit EUR 761,00

Cento High-End

If you prefer to use top quality components throughout we recommend the following parts (changes are indicated in italic)

- Expolinear NDRL 81 MK II tweeter
- Scan Speak 12 M 4631 G00 midrange driver
- 2 Visaton AL 130 bass drivers
- 12 packs Bawotumex
- 1/2 mat Bondum 800
- 4 bass reflex tubes HP50
- foam sealing strips
- 16 screws 4x16 mm
- 4 metre cable Spirit of High Silver 2x2.5 mm2
- the building instruction

- 3 universal PCB's: 205 x 140 mm
- silver solder by WBT
- gold plated brass binding posts
- 2.2 mH Tritec coil 7x0.6 mm wire
- 2.2 mH baked varnish coil, 1.4 mm

- 12 mH core coil / 3.7 Ohm (I-982)
- 0.1 mH baked varnish coil, 0.9 mm
- 0.33 mH baked varnish coil, 0.9 mm
- 0.39 mH cfc16 foil coil
- 1x 100 uF ELCO, non-etched
- 330 uF ELCO, etched
- 3x 100 uF ELCO, non-etched in parallel
- 33 uF Mundorf MKP/400 V
- 82 uF Mundorf MKP/400 V
- 22 uF Mundorf MKP/400 V
- 4.7 uF Mundorf MKP/400 V
- 4.7 uF MCAP Supreme Silver/Oil
- R1 cancelled -> R(L2)
- 1.0 Ohm MOX10 resistor (brown-black-gold)
- 3.9 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-white-gold)
- 5.6 Ohm MOX10 resistor (green-blue-gold)
- 33 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-orange-black)

Cento High-End kit without cabinet
Price per unit EUR 958,00

Home Hobby HiFi Overview