Напольная акустика — T+A Criterion S 230

The Criterion S 230 is the entry floor-standing model of the two-model Criterion S series from T+A Elektroakustik in Herford, Germany, positioned below the Criterion S 240. Its three drive sections work in a cabinet with a transmission line bass system, and the US price was USD 11,990 per pair. T+A lists four finishes - rubbed lacquer black, rubbed lacquer white, Arctic silver and Macassar veneer.

Key specs that matter

Two 170 mm long-excursion woofers, two midrange drivers and one 25 mm magnesium dome tweeter share the work, with crossover points at 200 Hz and 2,000 Hz. Frequency range is 29 Hz to 45,000 Hz, sensitivity is 87 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m and impedance is 4 ohm. The speaker is rated at 200 W nominal and 300 W music power. Height, width and depth are 105 x 31 x 43 cm including base and spikes, and each unit weighs 37.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

Inside the MDF cabinet T+A folds a multi-resonator transmission line that resembles organ pipes, a calculated structure that uses standing waves to raise low-frequency output while keeping disturbances away from the midrange drivers. Numerous internal struts stiffen the enclosure against resonances. The Organic Baffle is anchored from the inside without external screws or fasteners, and its geometry is shaped to avoid high-frequency distortion. All four cone units use die-cast aluminium chassis, with the woofers adding strong magnets and large voice coils. Their cones are a highly damped material stiffened with amorphous wood and carbon fibres, and a star-shaped StarStabilizer imprint in the centre adds stiffness. The light and rigid magnesium tweeter membrane carries a special damping coating against resonances and reaches up to 50 kHz. In the Symmetric Directivity arrangement the two midrange drivers are placed above and below the tweeter, which lowers the excursion each one needs and controls dispersion so that fewer reflections reach the listener. The three-way Fast Signal Response crossover is double-sided and uses dedicated power planes to carry high currents. Terminals are gold-plated brass without nickel, and they accept bi-wiring or bi-amping. Parts and labour are under warranty for five years.

Pairing

The low impedance needs amplification with plenty of current reserve for low loads, and the divided crossover allows the woofers and the upper drivers to receive their own amplifier channels.

Alternatives

Buyers wanting bigger woofers in this T+A line can look at the Criterion S 240 tower.