Cerwin-Vega
Encyclopedia
Cerwin-Vega is a manufacturing company that produces professional audio components, home audio
speakers, and car audio
components. It is part of the Stanton Group, along with Stanton Magnetics
and KRK, (a professional audio division focused on quality studio/recording speakers). Cerwin-Vega sells internationally from two main locations; one in Deerfield Beach, FL, and the other location in Brussels, Belgium, while manufacturing their pro products primarily in Malaysia and home products primarily in China.
, was released in 1957. In addition to these innovations, the company became well known for supplying speakers for electric musical instrument companies such as Fender, as well as for movie theaters all through the 1970s.
Cerwin-Vega participated in Sensurround
technology which was developed in conjunction with Universal Studios
in the 1970s. Sensurround was a movie theater special effects speaker system which used multiple Cerwin-Vega folded horn subwoofers triggered by an optical soundtrack system to create low frequency effects which simulated vibrations felt during an earthquake or a battle scene. Sensurround was premiered in the 1974 movie Earthquake
, and was a great success, but most Sensurround units were later dismantled due to structural damage caused by the vibrations.
In the early 1970s Cerwin Vega began marketing their "Residential" line of speakers with the Model 24 and Model 26. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Cerwin Vega released models A-10, A-123, R-10 (10-inch, 2-way system), R-12 (12-inch, 2-way system), R-123 (12-inch, 3-way system), 12TR (12-inch Tower Reflecting horn), and 15T tower speakers with 12" and 15" downward firing woofers, and the model S-1 bookshelf speakers. The S-1 speaker system was the crowning achievement for Cerwin-Vega. By utilizing a "Sixth Order Butterworth Vent Tuning" and integrating the system with Cerwin-Vega's DB-10B Bass Turbocharger (included with the S-1 speakers), the low frequency range of the S-1 was increased beyond the capabilities of larger enclosures. Cerwin-Vega also delivered various models of efficient semi horn (DHORM) speakers (including the A-10, A-123 and S-1). They featured 10" or 12" woofers and often twin mid-range drivers in a ported enclosure. They were touted to deliver up to 126 decibels of sound pressure.
s and subwoofer
s capable of delivering high sound level output with comparatively low frequency ranges using low power input. Their pro audio line is also noted for affordable price levels. In addition to home audio and pro audio speakers, Cerwin-Vega has a full range of automobile component speakers and subwoofers; The Stroker series of subwoofer has been a favorite of high SPL DB Drag competition
, winning awards as early as 1997.
Cerwin Vega continues to produce home audio speakers, mobile audio speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers, and pro audio speakers and subwoofers for live performance reinforcement.
On July 2nd, 2007, Cerwin-Vega's parent company, The Stanton Group, announced the sale of Cerwin Vega’s Mobile Division to CVM Acquisition Services, a sister company to Diamond Audio Technologies, LLC.
Shortly thereafter Cerwin-Vega launched Cerwin Vega Active (CVA) a new line of active speakers using direct firing subwoofers (CVA-115, CVA-118 and CVA-121) in 15", 18" and 21" driver sizes and a tri-amped dual 8" top box (CVA-28)
At the start of 2009 Cerwin Vega launched the Cerwin Vega Passive (CVP) Series, a range of bi-ampable, high SPL top cabinets to pair with the refreshed line of Vega Bass subs which includes the new TS-42 - 21" folded horn.
Home audio
Home audio, essentially, refers to any audio electronics intended for home use, such as shelf stereos and surround sound receivers, which are becoming the most popular piece of home audio equipment...
speakers, and car audio
Car audio
Car audio/video , auto radio, mobile audio, 12-volt and other terms are used to describe the sound or video system fitted in an automobile. While 12-volt audio and video systems are also used, marketed, or manufactured for marine, aviation, and buses, this article focuses on cars as the most common...
components. It is part of the Stanton Group, along with Stanton Magnetics
Stanton Magnetics
Stanton Magnetics, founded in 1946, is a manufacturer of professional and consumer audio equipment. Most of its products are aimed at DJs. It is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the privately owned Stanton Group who also own Cerwin-Vega and KRK Systems...
and KRK, (a professional audio division focused on quality studio/recording speakers). Cerwin-Vega sells internationally from two main locations; one in Deerfield Beach, FL, and the other location in Brussels, Belgium, while manufacturing their pro products primarily in Malaysia and home products primarily in China.
History
The company was founded by aerospace engineer Gene Czerwinski (1927–2010) in 1954, and became noted for producing an 18" speaker capable of producing 130 dB in SPL at 30 Hz, an astonishing level during its time. Another breakthrough product, the world's first solid-state amplifierElectronic amplifier
An electronic amplifier is a device for increasing the power of a signal.It does this by taking energy from a power supply and controlling the output to match the input signal shape but with a larger amplitude...
, was released in 1957. In addition to these innovations, the company became well known for supplying speakers for electric musical instrument companies such as Fender, as well as for movie theaters all through the 1970s.
Cerwin-Vega participated in Sensurround
Sensurround
Sensurround is the trademark name for a process developed in the 1970s by Cerwin-Vega in conjunction with Universal Studios to enhance the audio experience during film screenings...
technology which was developed in conjunction with Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
in the 1970s. Sensurround was a movie theater special effects speaker system which used multiple Cerwin-Vega folded horn subwoofers triggered by an optical soundtrack system to create low frequency effects which simulated vibrations felt during an earthquake or a battle scene. Sensurround was premiered in the 1974 movie Earthquake
Earthquake (film)
Earthquake is a 1974 American disaster film that achieved huge box-office success, continuing the disaster film genre of the 1970s where recognizable all-star casts attempt to survive life or death situations...
, and was a great success, but most Sensurround units were later dismantled due to structural damage caused by the vibrations.
In the early 1970s Cerwin Vega began marketing their "Residential" line of speakers with the Model 24 and Model 26. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Cerwin Vega released models A-10, A-123, R-10 (10-inch, 2-way system), R-12 (12-inch, 2-way system), R-123 (12-inch, 3-way system), 12TR (12-inch Tower Reflecting horn), and 15T tower speakers with 12" and 15" downward firing woofers, and the model S-1 bookshelf speakers. The S-1 speaker system was the crowning achievement for Cerwin-Vega. By utilizing a "Sixth Order Butterworth Vent Tuning" and integrating the system with Cerwin-Vega's DB-10B Bass Turbocharger (included with the S-1 speakers), the low frequency range of the S-1 was increased beyond the capabilities of larger enclosures. Cerwin-Vega also delivered various models of efficient semi horn (DHORM) speakers (including the A-10, A-123 and S-1). They featured 10" or 12" woofers and often twin mid-range drivers in a ported enclosure. They were touted to deliver up to 126 decibels of sound pressure.
Currently
Today, Cerwin-Vega is mostly known for its wooferWoofer
Woofer is the term commonly used for a loudspeaker driver designed to produce low frequency sounds, typically from around 40 hertz up to about a kilohertz or higher. The name is from the onomatopoeic English word for a dog's bark, "woof"...
s and subwoofer
Subwoofer
A subwoofer is a woofer, or a complete loudspeaker, which is dedicated to the reproduction of low-pitched audio frequencies known as the "bass". The typical frequency range for a subwoofer is about 20–200 Hz for consumer products, below 100 Hz for professional live sound, and below...
s capable of delivering high sound level output with comparatively low frequency ranges using low power input. Their pro audio line is also noted for affordable price levels. In addition to home audio and pro audio speakers, Cerwin-Vega has a full range of automobile component speakers and subwoofers; The Stroker series of subwoofer has been a favorite of high SPL DB Drag competition
DB drag racing
dB drag racing is a competition rewarding the person who can produce the loudest sound inside a vehicle. The "dB" means decibels of sound pressure level . In these competitions, Sound Pressure Level of 155 dB can be reached, and it is not unheard of to see more than 160 dB as well...
, winning awards as early as 1997.
Cerwin Vega continues to produce home audio speakers, mobile audio speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers, and pro audio speakers and subwoofers for live performance reinforcement.
On July 2nd, 2007, Cerwin-Vega's parent company, The Stanton Group, announced the sale of Cerwin Vega’s Mobile Division to CVM Acquisition Services, a sister company to Diamond Audio Technologies, LLC.
Shortly thereafter Cerwin-Vega launched Cerwin Vega Active (CVA) a new line of active speakers using direct firing subwoofers (CVA-115, CVA-118 and CVA-121) in 15", 18" and 21" driver sizes and a tri-amped dual 8" top box (CVA-28)
At the start of 2009 Cerwin Vega launched the Cerwin Vega Passive (CVP) Series, a range of bi-ampable, high SPL top cabinets to pair with the refreshed line of Vega Bass subs which includes the new TS-42 - 21" folded horn.