How do I tell a CLS II from a CLS w/ new panels?

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ArneW

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Hi,

it just occured to me that I probably didn't buy a pair of CLS IIs, but a CLS w/ newer panels. Anyway, they are performing flawlessly, even though the last owner was a heavy smoker and claimed to have had them for 8 years.

So how do I tell an "upgraded" CLS from the newer models? The serial numbers of the electronics are 2371 and 2433, respectively. However, the mains and speaker cables are plugged in from the side, which I have never seen with CLS IIs. Any ideas?

Arne
 
My CLS speakers both plug in from the right side when you face the panel.

I like to think of them as CLS-1 even though there was no official series as such.
The panels have a space between the horizontal bars and the vertical bars.

I purchased them in 87 which makes them around 20 years young. There is a label next to the connectors indicating that they are wired with Monster Cables inside. Serial numbers on the labels (electronics) are: #441 and #442
 
Hi,

it just occured to me that I probably didn't buy a pair of CLS IIs, but a CLS w/ newer panels. Anyway, they are performing flawlessly, even though the last owner was a heavy smoker and claimed to have had them for 8 years.

So how do I tell an "upgraded" CLS from the newer models? The serial numbers of the electronics are 2371 and 2433, respectively. However, the mains and speaker cables are plugged in from the side, which I have never seen with CLS IIs. Any ideas?

Arne
Hola Arne...I think that near the A.C. connector, there is a plate with the model and it will say the exact model of your CLS and the serial number of the speaker´s power supply. There is a tweak that states that if you connect the speaker´s wire direct to the P.C. Board there is a sound benefit. Dan has reported to us this tweak and he said that it did work for better. I have not done it yet to mines. Hope this can help. Happy listening,
Roberto.
 
Hi,

it just occured to me that I probably didn't buy a pair of CLS IIs, but a CLS w/ newer panels. Anyway, they are performing flawlessly, even though the last owner was a heavy smoker and claimed to have had them for 8 years.

So how do I tell an "upgraded" CLS from the newer models? The serial numbers of the electronics are 2371 and 2433, respectively. However, the mains and speaker cables are plugged in from the side, which I have never seen with CLS IIs. Any ideas?

Arne

Hi,
I have the original set of CLS's (S/N's 1 and 2). They have a smaller electronics box that has the big step-up transformer on the OUTSIDE of the box. All the newer ones I've seen have a bigger box, with all transformers on the inside.

Here is a shot of my electronics box when I was experimenting with different bias voltages:

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HTH,
Peter
 

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Hi,

thank you all very much for clarifying this. I have attached two pictures which show the badge on the electronics as well as the panels. Please excuse the somewhat blurred image as the photo of the whole speaker was taken early in the morning - I didn't use a flash because the reflection would have rendered the panels unidentifiable.

Arne

PS. Note that the badge says "controlled line source", not "curvilinear line source".

PPS. The speaker behind the CLS is a Celestion SL 600, sitting on one of the System 6000 subwoofers. From what I've heard these subs can be used together with a CLS to great effect. Sadly, as of today I don't have the amps to drive both the power hungry 6000s *and* the CLSs.
 

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Arne, the panels you've got are definitely CLS II panels. They should have a sticker on their back, usually top left, with a serial number, something beginning with CS1 or CS2 or CS3... look for this sticker on both panels and paste here their content. The original CLS had a panel like the one you see here: http://67.19.167.226/~tdacquis/forum/showthread.php?t=31

As for the celestions, put them on eBay and get an active subwoofer which can be connected directly to your amplifier's high output. I have a REL sub connected that way and I must say that together with my CLS II's it's really a hard to beat combo.
 
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As for the celestions, put them on eBay...

The SL 600s are my main system, against which everything else has to be judged. Although I never use the matching SL 6000 subs, I'm not gonna sell them - they make some rigid stands ;)

Arne
 
I have a REL sub connected that way and I must say that together with my CLS II's it's really a hard to beat combo.
Lugano...what other subs did you auditioned or look at before you purchased the REL?

I auditioned the R505 and the Storm III when looking for a sub, and sorry to say was not that impressed by them.

Dan
 
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The picture of these speakers are identical to my CLS-1's. If you look at Lugano's link you will see his CLS-II's don't have a space between the horizontal and vertical bars. Note! The bars on the CLS-II are also placed closer togetter at the bottom of the panel.

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Lugano...what other subs did you auditioned or look at before you purchased the REL?

I already had a big Teufel subwoofer before the RELs, and I was quite familiar with its "sound" (I still have it btw, connected to the HT system) + various JBL's, Infinity and other (mostly HT). The REL blowed me away immediately... but subwoofer placing into the listening space is critical and this might have been your problem when auditioning it.
 
Hi,

I looked at both panels - neither has a sticker with a serial number. I think they are probably the regular panels a CLS owner would receive if he chose to replace them after the advent of the newer CLS II model. Since the frame is identical for both speakers, what would have been the use of manufacturing different kinds of panels?

Arne
 
Hi,

I looked at both panels - neither has a sticker with a serial number. I think they are probably the regular panels a CLS owner would receive if he chose to replace them after the advent of the newer CLS II model. Since the frame is identical for both speakers, what would have been the use of manufacturing different kinds of panels?

Arne
If the electronics were CLS-1 then the best replacement panel would be the CLS-1 type and not a CLS-II. I suspect the 2 panel types are not interchangeable due to the mechanical manufacturing (diaphragm coating) and not their physical appearance.
 
I can only say that they sound truly wonderful. It doesn't seem to be a mismatch in any way. Having heard several CLS's through the years, I must say that it fully met my expectations. What's interesting is that even my VTL Tiny Triodes (25 wpc) can drive them to reasonable levels.

Arne
 

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