Anthology II Center Channel Speaker Kit

The Anthology II Ceramic Center Channel Speaker Kit by Curt Campbell and Jim Holtz

The design goal

Once the Anthogoy II design was released by Jim and Curt, the calls started coming in for a matching center channel.  Since Jim did not need a center, we started a new design based on Curt’s typical crossover topology, frequency response, and transfer function.  Rather than the dual 4″ mid ranges we opted for a single 5.25″ right below the tweeter.  This arrangement will give you a more uniform dispersion than the MTM on its side, or the triangular cluster.  You can see by the graphic below the radiation pattern.  Listeners that are even 30 degrees off-axis will get great tweeter and midrange coverage. (red is good)   Be sure to watch the video under the “Cabinet Plans” tab.

This center dips slightly below 4 ohms, so a good high-current amplifier is a must.

The Drivers

Like the Anthology II, we used the SB Acoustics SB15CAC ceramic hybrid driver for a perfect tonal balance match.   If you are not a fan of the “white” cones, the Black aluminum has the same electrical and acoustical specifications and can be substituted.  They may not have that “magic” however.  The tweeter also matches the Anthology II design with the SB26CDC – a hybrid ceramic design.

The woofers are of course the Dayton RS225-8s. In this case, it is an acoustic suspension design, rather than vented like the Anthology II towers.

How Does it Sound?

Just like the towers, The highs are open and airy with great off-axis dispersion. The SB26CDC has excellent sound quality that realistically reproduces the original performance.

The SB15CACs offer great detail with an open natural sound.  The tonal balance is excellent. When compared to other reference speakers that far exceed the Anthology’s price point,

Vocal recordings are excellent and are very realistic and natural sounding. They have the smoothness associated with a paper driver but still have the bite and detail required for realistic reproduction with no listener fatigue. This is a VERY natural-sounding driver with accurate voice reproduction. Very nice!

Dynamics are exceptional with just the right amount of impact and bite to add realism. The Anthology handles home theater dynamics without breaking a sweat and extends well beyond sane volumes.

The bass capability of an RS225 in a sealed box is surprisingly good. Very deep, tight, clean bass is what you hear.

 

When you buy the Bare Bones version, here is what you get:

• 1 x SB26CDC ceramic-aluminum dome tweeters – Black Aluminum option
• 1 x SB Acoustics, SB15CAC30-4 ceramic-aluminum cone midranges – Black Aluminum option
• 2 x Dayton, RS225-8, Aluminum cone woofers
• 1 x Crossover parts with the suggested  Clarity PX on the tweeter, Solen caps, Specified air-cored inductors, and sand-cast / Zisters resistors.
• (Upgrade is not available at this time as Clarity is 90 days out on the PX capacitors for this upgrade.)
• All Build Plans

When you add the Full Kit option, here is what is included:

• 1 x Choice to buy your Prefered Input Terminals
• 2 x All Damping Foam – combination of foam and Dacron
• 2 x Color-coded Internal Hookup Wire
• 2 x All mounting hardware for drivers – plus the option of fancier Socket Head wood screws.
• Boards for crossover assembly plus solder lugs
• All build plans

Have trouble reading a circuit diagram or are new to soldering?  The crossovers can be assembled for a nominal charge.

Anthology Write-up