The Carlton III
Carlton III is a two-way floor standing loudspeaker of medium efficiency fitted with a passive bass radiator which extends the low-frequency response. The active drive units are of very high quality construction using special diaphragms for extremely low colouration. It is suitable for use with large amplifiers and will satisfy listeners who appreciate the most refined sound quality at realistic, live volume levels.
For over twenty years KEF has pioneered the use of moulded plastics diaphragms in producing loudspeakers of consistent and refined performance. The drive units and the passive radiator employed in Carlton III are the outcome of this experience, aided by modern research methods and precise quality control at all stages of production. The configuration of drive units used in Carlton III closely resembles that used in the KEF Model 104aB which enjoyed world-wide success in the seventies, setting new standards for domestic loudspeakers.
Great care has been taken in the design of the dividing network so that the crossover region, where both high and low-frequency loudspeakers are in operation, does not suffer phasing effects which would confuse the stereo image. Carlton III will reproduce sharply-focused, solid stereo images with programmes of high technical quality. Mid-range reproduction is coherent and highly detailed.
Carlton III Specifications
| Directional characteristics: within 2dB of response on reference axis |
up to 20kHz for ± 5º vertically up to 10kHz for ± 20º horizontally |
| Maximum Output | 106dB spl on programme peaks under typical listening conditions |
| Characteristic Sensitivity Level | 86dB spl at 1m on reference axis for pink noise input of 1W. |
| Distortion: Measured at 1m on reference axis at mean dpl of 90dB, anechoic conditions |
Second harmonic: less than 1% from 60Hz to 20kHz Third harmonic: less than 1% from 150Hz to 20kHz. |
| Enclosure Type | Mechanical reflex Tuning frequency 28Hz |
| Internal Volume | 44 litres. |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Maximum amplifier power: |
normal 100W, normal">audiophile 150W. |
| Minimum Amplifier Power | normal 10W. |
| Maximum Conditions Sinusoidal Input | 20V rms from 20Hz to 2.5kHz reducing to 8V rms from 4kHz to sinusoidal input: 20kHz |
| Weight | 12kg (26.2lb) |
| Dimensions | 700(h) x 315(w) x 280(d)mm 23½(h) x 12 3/8(h) x 11(d)in. |
Digital Recordings
Carlton III is perfectly suitable to reproduce compact disc and other types of digital recording, with full dynamic range.
The basic design of Carlton III employs the latest developments in 200mm Bextrene cone drive units to cover the essential musical range up to 3kHz. KEF pioneered the use of Bextrene diaphragms in domestic high fidelity loudspeakers during the early sixties and have unrivalled experience in their manufacture and application. When correctly damped and terminated, Bextrene diaphragms are unequalled in performance, consistency and reliability. They are generally more superior to most of the newer materials currently in vogue and notable for their very low colouration.
An auxiliary bass radiator extends the low-frequency range flat down to 47Hz. The unique KEF series ‘C’ bass loading to technique is also incorporated to further extend response down to below 30Hz whilst minimising the effects of subsonic signals due to records warps and other faults.
The upper octaves are radiated by a 25mm impregnated cloth dome tweeter with an impeccably smooth frequency response and excellent directional characteristics. an important feature is the computer-designed “seamless” dividing network with fourth-order target functions centred on 3kHz. Acoustic output is transferred smoothly from the low-frequency driver to the high-frequency units without any audible phasing effects, even in directions well away from the main listening axis.
Sensitivity of Carlton III is above average at 86dB/m/W - making no great demands on the amplifier. When fully driven with a 100W per channel amplifier a pair can produce peak sound pressure levels up to 106dB in an ordinary living room.
There are no matching problems with Carlton III. Its impedance characteristic presents an easy load for any 8ohm amplifier. Input connections are made to substantial 4mm binding posts that suit most low-loss super cables. Connection can also be made using 4mm banana plugs.
Normal use:
Programme with limited dynamic range, e.g. VHF transmissions, pre-recorded tape cassettes, compressed pop records, etc.
Conditions of use include loud listening levels with power amplifier often driven into clipping and tone controls or equaliser used to significantly boost low and high frequencies.
Audiophile:
Reproduction of wide dynamic range recordings, e.g. direct cut discs, compact discs and digital tapes.
Conditions of use include ‘flat’ replay characteristics with only occasional overloading of power amplifier.