Floorstanding loudspeakers — Audes Llc. JAZZ

The Jazz is a two-way tower from the Credo range of Audes, a company based in Johvi, Estonia, that traces its roots to the RET radio factory registered in Tallinn in 1935. A 2006 Credo brochure introduced it as the newest tower of the family, built on the ideas of the three-way Blues and positioned a little below it in cost. The current Credo list also contains Grand Blues, Adagio, Studio, Grand Sentral and Sentral.

Key specs that matter

Two 6.5 inch (165 mm) woofers with polypropylene cones, designed and produced by Audes, work with a 1 inch (27 mm) fabric dome tweeter, crossing over at 1,800 Hz. Audes quotes 46 Hz to 22,000 Hz within plus or minus 2 dB, with the output 6 dB down at 37 Hz. Sensitivity is 90 dB for 2.83 V at 1 m and the nominal impedance is 4 ohm. Maximum power handling is 120 W long-term and 160 W short-term. The cabinet measures 1,168 mm high, 242 mm wide and 373 mm deep and stands on a base of 315 x 380 mm. Each speaker weighs 34 kg.

Engineering and use context

Audes states that every Credo model is made by hand, from the cabinet to the crossover network. The brochure lists DH Labs wire for all internal connections, Mundorf polypropylene capacitors in the crossovers and a mix of SEAS and in-house drivers across the range. Unlike the Blues, which splits the band three ways with an 8 inch woofer and a pair of 4.5 inch midrange cones, the Jazz keeps a simpler two-way layout and relies on a doubled woofer to cover everything below the tweeter. The front grille of the Jazz is removable. Wood veneer choices include walnut, cherry, black ash and mahogany, while Audes also offers exotic options such as burl wood in either matte or piano polish finishes. The maker describes the Jazz as intended both for stereo music and for multichannel film soundtracks, so it can be used as the front pair of a home theatre as well as in a two-channel system.

Pairing

Given the low nominal impedance, any partnering amplifier needs a stated ability to drive 4 ohm loads without strain. The high sensitivity and long-term power rating leave a wide margin for integrated amplifiers and receivers of moderate output, while higher-powered designs should be used with the short-term ceiling in mind.

Alternatives

The Audes Blues is the three-way Credo floorstander that inspired the Jazz, built around an 8 inch woofer and two midrange units.