Recently, I reviewed CriticalListenAudio's CLA 8.1 Mid-tower full-range speakers. I was skeptical that a speaker with only one driver in each cabinet would be capable of accurately reproducing the source material. I was delightfully mistaken.
Background
CriticalListenAudio claims that the CLA 8.1 is capable of producing frequencies from 37Hz to 20kHz. Normally this would not be that big of a claim, but since they claim to accomplish this with a single driver in each enclosure, it is a much bigger deal. In most cases, a speaker consists of multiple drivers which serve multiple functions. Usually, this is manifested by a tweeter, midrange, and sometimes also a woofer. In order for these separate drivers to perform their functions properly, without distortion, a crossover network is necessary. In most cases, this network is hidden inside the speaker enclosure so the end user rarely sees how it is filtering frequencies for its respective drivers. The addition of a crossover to a speakers adds an entire level of complexity to the speaker's design. Phase issues, coloration, crossover frequency points, materials, etc. all become part of the equation to make accurate audio and to protect the individual drivers. Additionally, in every case where a passive crossover is used, efficiency is lowered and coloration is added. It is physically impossible to maintain the same efficiency with a passive crossover network in the audio path when compared to the same speaker with no crossover network.
So, what does this have to do with the CLA 8.1? Where I thought that the CLA 8.1 would be weak, it excelled. That it only used one driver, with one voice coil, is only an improvement towards resolving phase and timing issues of audio coming off the front of the speaker. When more than one driver is used, there are always timing variations between the two drivers. Why? Well, for one, audio is coming from two separate points in space rather than one. Secondly, the voice coil for a tweeter is always different than a voice coil for a midrange driver. This introduces a delta in the inductance (Le) of the two coils. The specification Le represents the amount of time it takes to charge the voice coil and its magnetic field to the point that it results in force production, or the point at which the cone of the driver begins to move. Therefore, two drivers with different voice coils will have different Le ratings and consequently, begin moving at different times after both receive a signal simultaneously. The CLA 8.1 does not have this problem because it has only one voice coil. This results in perfect synchronicity among all frequencies being produced. It is a beautiful thing to hear.
Because the single driver produces all the frequencies with one voice coil, the CLA 8.1 does not require a crossover. There is no tweeter that bass frequencies could damage. The vocals are produced by the same driver that produces the bass. What does this mean? Well, it means that all of the complexities I mentioned earlier are completely avoided in the CLA 8.1 speaker's audio reproduction. Additionally, with no crossover, efficiency is optimized. Boasting 98db@1w/1m the CLA 8.1 is claiming a massive increase in efficiency over the average audiophile speaker. The average speaker efficiency is around 88db@1w/1m. Essentially, what this means is that the average speaker requires about 9-10 times the power to produce the same volume that the CLA 8.1 achieves with 1 watt. This is a big deal. The more power needed, the higher the noise floor. Conversely, the lower the power requirement to produce volume, the lower the noise floor. This equates to pin-drop accuracy and detail with every nuance in the source material. I found this absolutely to be the case when auditioning these speakers.
The Music Audition
Auditioning speakers is always a fun and exciting opportunity for me. Listening to Diana Krall's "A Blossom Fell" was breathtaking. The piano sounded as though it was in the room. Additionally, the piano was full-bodied in its note production. The same resonant tonality present when listening to a piano live was present in the reproduction. Additionally, a pleasant surprise was that I was able to hear the piano bench creaking as she played during the recording. Pin-drop accuracy is definitely the way to describe experiencing these speakers.
Vocals were smooth and full. I did not notice any gaps in frequency production, nor any particular bias. Where other speakers I've auditions excelled at parts of the vocal frequencies, these excelled in all. I was amazed at how real and present every nuance of her voice sounded.
Another of Diana's tracks utilized a double bass. As the bow was drawn across the strings, I could pick out every detail of the sound. Once again, the audio was so accurate that it captured the full body of the sound. The same resonant production heard from the double bass live was present in the CLA 8.1's reproduction. This is where the driver's efficiency really delivered. The noise floor was so low, I could hear every detail of the vocals and instruments.
For kicks and giggles, I threw in some Metallica from the infamous "Black Album". "Nothing Else Matters" never sounded better. Once again, all instruments and vocals were fully represented and effortless. The guitar was palpably real.
Randy Roos "Liquid Smoke" album was like liquid heaven in my ears. He is meticulous in ensuring his recordings are top notch and the CLA 8.1's were true to the recording. If you haven't experienced Randy Roos, and you love acoustic guitar, I highly recommend his work. You may find that you use his work as your new test media. When an artist is able to connect with the listener it is a wonderful experience for that listener. Randy Roos is naturally talented to that end. Without having him available 24-7 to play live for me in my living room, the CLA 8.1's were the next best experience. Words can't describe the listening pleasure delivered by these speakers.
The Home-Theater Audition
The more I listened to these speakers, the more I began to think that they could produce any genre of music correctly. From jazz and classical to electronic and heavy metal, there was nothing I could throw at the CLA 8.1's that they couldn't produce with absolute clarity and accuracy. So, I thought that I might try some movies. Using one of these drivers as the center channel was astounding. I'd like to say that it was like watching a movie in an IMAX theater, but the sound was better! These make wonderful center speakers and consequently, side and surround speakers. For the first time, I can recommend a single model speaker for both 2 channel listening and surround sound audio reproduction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, CriticalListenAudio has found a way to produce exceptional audio and eliminate some of the larger problems that plague most speakers today. By eliminating phase and timing issues, lowering the noise floor, and increasing efficiency, the audio reproduction capabilities are nothing short of amazing. Any person would be fortunate to own a pair of these speakers and the best of all they are affordable. I dare say that that this is the best bookshelf/mid-tower speaker at any price and easily the best value.
More information is available on these speakers at: www.criticallistenaudio.com.
Similar Products Auditioned: Linn Audio, Wilson Audio, McIntosh, Krell, Marantz, B&W, Boston Acoustics, Kef, Martin Logan, Sunfire, Carver, etc.
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