Cerwin-Vega
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Cerwin-Vega is a manufacturing company that produces professional audio components, home audio speakers, and car audio components. It is part of the Stanton Group, along with Stanton Magnetics and KRK, (a professional audio division focused on quality studio/recording speakers). Cerwin-Vega serves North America from a location in Hollywood, FL, and Europe from a location in Brussels, Belgium, while manufacturing their products in California.
[edit] History
The company was founded by aerospace engineer Gene Czerwinski in 1954, and became noted for producing an 18" speaker capable of producing 130dB in SPL at 30Hz, an astonishing level during its time. Another breakthrough product, the world's first solid state amplifier, was released in 1957. In addition to these innovations, the company became well known for supplying speakers for electric musical instrument companies such as Fender, as well as for movie theatres all through the 1970s.
Cerwin-Vega participated in Sensurround technology which was developed in conjunction with Universal Studios in the 1970s. Sensurround was a movie theater special effects speaker system which used multiple Cerwin-Vega folded horn subwoofers triggered by an optical soundtrack system to create low frequency effects which simulated vibrations felt during an earthquake or a battle scene. Sensurround was premiered in the 1974 movie Earthquake, and was a great success, but most sensurround units were later dismantled due to structural damage caused by the vibrations.
In the early 1970s Cerwin Vega began marketing their "Residential" line of speakers with the Model 24 and Model 26. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Cerwin vega released models A-10, A-123 and S-1 bookshelf speakers. The S-1 speaker system was the crowning achievement for Cerwin-Vega.[citation needed] By utilizing a "Sixth Order Butterworth Vent Tuning" and integrating the system with Cerwin-Vega's DB-10B Bass Turbocharger (included with the S-1 speakers), the low frequency range of the S-1 was increased beyond the capabilities of larger enclosures. Cerwin-Vega also delivered various models of efficient semi horn (DHORM) speakers (including the A-10, A-123 and S-1). They featured 10" or 15" woofers and often twin midrange drivers in a ported enclosure. They were touted to deliver up to 126 decibels of sound pressure.
[edit] Currently
Today, Cerwin-Vega is mostly known for its woofers and subwoofers capable of delivering high sound level output with comparatively low power input. Their pro audio line is noted for affordable price levels. In addition to home audio and pro audio speakers, Cerwin-Vega has a full range of automobile component speakers and subwoofers; The Stroker series of subwoofer has been a favourite of high SPL DB Drag competition, winning awards as early as 1997.
Cerwin Vega continues to produce lines of home audio speakers, mobile audio speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers, and pro audio speakers & subwoofers for live performance reinforcement.
On July 2nd, 2007, Cerwin-Vega's parent company, The Stanton Group, announced the sale of Cerwin Vega’s Mobile Division to CVM Acquisition Services, a sister company to Diamond Audio Technologies, LLC.
