KUDOS Cardea C1
Stand mount monitors
If Kudos tried to make some compromises while designing the Cardea C1 then the compromises were not made with drivers - both 18" midrange drivers, with lacquered cones, and the 1" silk dome tweeter are the best what was available from SEAS at the time.
Function and form
My dear friends, the Cardea C1 is an ordinary 12-liter box from 18mm thick MDF boards. Two drivers on the front, a plastic bassreflex port in the rear (not even recessed to save money on milling), everything affixed with standard screws. Looks like a DIY project, does not it?
Well, not entirely. The top of the range SEAS drivers were used. The metal surrondings of the drivers is shaped into a waveguide to improve dipersion and back reflections. Through the reflex port opening I could see into the tweeter compartment, that was heavily braced. I found the performancce of the tweeter more than satisfactory - in the more expensive C10 model Kudos uses SEAS Crescendo tweeter that is said to have even better behaviour.
The C1 allows for bi-wiring; both sets of terminals are connected via two thick gold-plated sticks that pass through the openings in the terminal bolts. Quite unusual yet effective solution.
Bass management
The bass of the Cardea C1 is fast, reasonably articulated and does not negatively affect the midrange. Weight of the bass is what one can expect from stand mounted speakers. Subjectivelly I started to feel the lows from around 50Hz; the enclosed manual did not mention the frequency response so I reached for Stereophile's Test CD 3 to check how much I was far in my guess. With the help of warble tones the audible bass appeared somewhere between 55-60Hz, which is quite high in the frequency range. Yes, it is possible to move the speakers closer to corners to facilitate the deep rumbling but I prefer clean though not so low bass to humming and booming. You may have different preferences.
Clarity & delicacy
As mentioned, I liked the performance of the Excel tweeter which attested to its fame. Initially I found the tweeter to be quite prominent but it was due to the amplifier - once the PrimaLuna was properly burned in any sibilance dissapeared. The highs of the C1 were open, sound and never fatiguing. They made my listening sessions quite comfortable and relaxing. This is not to say the C1's are relaxing speakers - if something goes wrong in your audio chain or with a recording, they let you know.
Tonal accuracy
The Cardea C1 are British speakers and they play exactly like this - in a very understated manner, like a well behaving gentleman. They are a polar opposite of modern speakers that throw the sound at you - the Cardea let yu decide if you want to participate or not. And you can listen to them the whole day without getting tired or annoyed; about how many speakers can you say that?
Spatial resolution
The Kudos Cardea C1 arrived with the Kudos stands. The stands are 60cm high, including spikes. My ears were at the height of 115cm, which was 25cm above the tweeter. Okay, most speakers perform the best when your ears at at the level of tweeter so I adjusted my seat. It proved as a wrong assumption with the Cardea C1. On axis the highs become too prominent and agile so I moved back to the original position. Well, it may have some implications if you already own some stands - be prepare that they may require serious adjustment if you buy the C1.
As sensitive as the Kudos speakers were sensitive in vertical plane they were not demanding laterally. Their sweet spot is quite wide so if you plan to use these speakers in AV installations not only you but more listeners can enjoy the optimum sound.
Recommended resellers
KAS Audio, Praha, tel. +420 602 406 436
Manufacturer's website: http://www.kudosaudio.com
Associated components
- Sources: Vincent CD-S3, Pioneer PD-S 905G
- Amplifiers: PrimaLuna Prologue Two, Accuphase E-210A, Copland CSA 29
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Vincent (analog XLR and speaker cables), Monster Interlink 300
Gallery
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