T+A Criterion S 230

T+A Criterion S 230: A High-End Floorstanding Speaker That's Both Elegant and Powerful

Design

While the Criterion S 230 doesn't boast a flamboyant design, it impresses with its elegant and timeless style. The slightly tilted back cabinet gives it a certain originality and contributes to improved sound dispersion. Made entirely of MDF and equipped with numerous reinforcements, it presents a front baffle with rounded edges that is extremely carefully crafted.

Speakers and Technology

Far from uniform, the acoustic architecture of the S 230 turns out to be much more atypical than it first appears. The bass and midrange speakers use "Star-Stabilizer" cones with a special profile that stiffens the diaphragm and reduces standing waves. The dome tweeter, on the other hand, is distinguished by its high-end design: a 25mm magnesium dome capable of reproducing frequencies up to 50kHz.

Additional originality: the speaker has two 12cm midrange drivers, arranged to the left and right of the tweeter according to the MTM (Montage d'Appolito) configuration. This arrangement allows for the simulation of a point source and offers a precise stereo image.

For the bass, T+A opts for two 17cm woofers in transmission line technology. This rare technology, used here with a line that opens into a bass reflex port, allows for optimization of the low-frequency response.

Quality and Performance

The German brand emphasizes the quality of the 3-way FSR (Fast Signal Response) filter, known for its phase fidelity and ability to handle strong signals without distortion. The speaker has a frequency response of 29Hz to 45kHz, a nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a sensitivity of 87dB.

Conclusion

The T+A Criterion S 230 establishes itself as an outstanding high-end floorstanding speaker. Its elegant design, original acoustic architecture, and high-quality speakers make it the perfect choice for discerning audiophiles seeking exceptional sound reproduction.

T+A Criterion S 230: English Specifications at a Glance