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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Dual CL390 Speakers

I came across a pair of Dual CL390 speakers awhile back at a thrift store. Once I took the covers off and saw the large dome midrange I knew that these speakers are from the same lineage as A/D/S and Braun.

The Dual CL390 had the original metal screens over the drivers in typical German industrial design. Those had to go. This is a file photo as I was not going to put screens back on for a photo op.

I had to replace the crappy DIN connectors with proper 5 way binding posts.

A few things about these speakers, they are butt ugly and have a terrible industrial vinyl veneer and terrible covers. But they sound incredible, the dome midrange reveals music passages that I have not heard before.
These CL390 speakers set an image and sound stage that is fantastic. The acoustic suspension ensures that the bass is nice and tight, the midrange dome adds the presence and sound stage while the tweeter is crisp.

These were definitely a awesome score at the thrift store.

Very little information can be found on these speakers and most searches come up with German websites.
From what I take they are very similar to the Braun L730 and L830 or the A/D/S 880. The A/D/S did not have L pads but the Braun's did.

BTW if you need to find an extensive data base on Braun and A/D/S/ speakers follow this link.








1 comment:

  1. As german, I recommend put back metal screens. There are important functions with all of them... and won't get any uglier than now.
    Second, if you replace ALL electrolytic caps in X-over with foil types you will have a nice surprise. I did.
    Third, if by chance you meet the woofers from CL730, buy and replace. Another big surprise ahead.
    Fourth, amplifier does make a difference with these gems.
    Congratulations and success keeping them in good shape.

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