it will show some custom painted fully restored ensembles, and Ambiance Speakers powered by Aragon Palladiums or some other amps. I have a bunch of blog entries that in draft that I plan on posting to my blog late in the fall. if you can find the original Tripod stands they look great on those stands, the later stands were more solid but aesthetically they were F-Ugly! Since we were considered a value brand to start, the value of CSW Ensembles have not faired well but that doesn't make them any less incredible, just means you and I can afford multiple sets for restoration, refurbishment and enjoyment.

a good stereo amp is up to the task and they perform exponentially better using a pair of quality stereo amps. They never really hit their stride with low powered receivers. I'd say that ensembles are an EXCELLENT system for bi-amplification. The Psub III is a bit better but very limited in it's output and low frequency extension. the amp and cabinet is fine so it's a great platform for a DIY sub but the ensemble woofer in that setup just never worked well and bottomed out. The Powered sub II ( smaller cabinet) is also to be avoided. This was a common option for folks who bought the larger AMBIANCE bookshelf speakers so Henry designed an active High Pass filter called the EXO-1 ( super rare these days) so that the ambiance can be less taxing on the amp, improve mid bass performance and integrate better with a Powered sub like the original Powered sub.

The low end rolls off in the mid 40's or so, A Powered subwoofer can be used to augment the low end set at around 55hz. I personally like one's with the switches but I' have both types. The woofers from these models are fine but I'd advise anyone considering Ensemble or Ensemble II to see out a set of MDF satellites, With or without the contour switches is fine. If you have the ABS version of the Ensemble sats ( they have a seam around the the cabinet) These were made offshore in China as production ceased in the USA. on California street and later in a larger factory warehouse on Needham street in Newton MA. The original Power Sub and Slave system was also offered in formica or Vinyl.ДЄll of the original Soundworks speakers were made in Newton MA. We dropped the Hard laminate version of the ensemble woofer and all of the later woofers were vinyl clad. We actually sold them without nextel 'primed for painting' for a while we even made a run of woofers for the ensemble designed to hang on a wall ( also primed and ready for painting - I still have a set and use them from time to time bi-amp with a pair of McIntosh MC7270 amps or Audire Forte's - I've also used a pair of NAD 2200 PE, Adcom 545, 555, Aragon 4004 MKII's NAD 2600's to bi-amp them over the years). You can use Alcohol stripper to clean them down to the primer, sand and repaint. Nextel won't last a lifetime in humid conditions, as the paint absorbs moisture it will break down and become sticky and gooey. Vertical or Horizontal bi-amping works equally well so long as you're using a pair of the same stereo amps or 4 of the same mono amps to power the system.

Since they have their own crossovers ( sub and sat) they can be BI-AMPed with no ill affect on your amplifers. They were designed to be wired Sat to sub or sub to sat or both coming off the main L/R terminal on the amp in parallel Although NEVER published by CSW the crossover point is in the range of about 140hz High pass on the sat, and low pass on the woofer. The woofers were made in house and had a heat sink on the voice coil of the woofers.Д®arly satellites no switches for high mid contour but shortly after they were added just around the time when the woofer lost the it's propeller heatsink. during that time the speakers came with 100ft of 18g speaker wire, wire cutter/strippers and multiple sets of rubber feet. There was a $50-$100 variance depending on the finish on the woofers. The first was a formica type laminate woofer version and a vinyl clad woofer.

There were roughly 5-6 different variations of the original 4 piece Ensemble system Some corrections that should be noted as I read them in this thread.

Cambridge soundworks center channel