Cambridge SoundWorks New Ensemble II Home Theater Speaker System, Charcoal

by Cambridge Soundworks

Product Details

Product Manual [677kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 50 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000068PLA
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 3, 2002

Product Description

Product Description

The New Ensemble II Home Theater system by Cambridge SoundWorks is centered around their best-value high-performance subwoofer/satellite speaker music system, and adds their most affordable low-profile center speaker, the Center Channel II, and two Surround II 5.1 MultiPole surround speakers.

The front channel speakers in this system incorporate long-throw mid-bass/mid-range speakers and a 1 ¾ direct radiator tweeters. Using separate drivers for the mid and high frequencies allows each speaker to specialize in producing one part of the signal. The mid-range speaker responds low enough to eliminate gaps between the satellites and the subwoofer. Bass signal is sent to the New Ensembles II's dual 6 1/2 driver subwoofer. The passive sub uses a bandpass filter -- a two-part filter that cuts highs and lows to leave a band in the middle.

The center channel speaker in the New Ensemble II Home Theater is Cambridge SoundWorks' Center Channel II, a low profile, two-way acoustic suspension speaker tonally matched to the satellites used in the New Ensemble II main speakers. The Center Channel II has wide dispersion, smooth tonal balance and good power handling. Because of its compact size and shielding, it's easy to place it on top of, or below a TV. Center Channel II uses two-long throw 3 1/2 mid-bass drivers and a tweeter which is identical to that used in a New Ensemble II satellite.

The rear channel effects are brought to life with Cambridge SoundWorks' Surround II 5.1 speakers. The Surround II 5.1 uses MultiPole technology so it can be switched from dipole (diffuse radiation) to bipole (direct radiation) operation. The MultiPole switch on the Surround II 5.1 alters the directionality of the speaker. Dipole mode sends the mid and high frequency output along the side walls, so all the listeners hear a diffuse, enveloping sound. Bipole mode concentrates this output toward the listening area, providing central listeners more precise imaging.

The New Ensemble II Home Theater is a great value. It provides excellent musical detail and accuracy, while doubling as a very impressive yet inconspicuous surround sound speaker system.

In White with a Charcoal center channel. Also available in all charcoal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkably Good System for the Price, September 3, 2007

By 

Tiresias "The Prophet Ubergeek" (Beverly, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cambridge SoundWorks New Ensemble II Home Theater Speaker System, Charcoal (Personal Computers)

When they first came out, audio magazines compared the Ensemble speakers from Kloss to systems costing over $1,500. (And that was the stereo version of Ensemble II, not the 5.1 surround version that includes extra satellites and a center speaker). Simply put, it's an excellent sounding system with deep (but not boomy fake) lows and excellent highs that never sound shrill. String instruments and orchestras sound great on these. The subwoofer has what it takes to make home theatre exciting (or make the canons really roar in the 1812 overture). They're among the best you can find at this price point.