Fantastic sound and a low price tag make the Cerwin Vega! a great buy.
After having tested a lot of mid-priced subwoofers, I’ve become rather disillusioned with the whole price bracket. Yes, there are plenty of decent subwoofers available in this category, and they will perform well in most people’s inexpensive home theater setups, but what I’ve really been looking for is a subwoofer that stands out among the rest, one that incorporates both the style and performance of high-priced subs, but at a fraction of the cost. I’m happy to say the Cerwin Vega! CLS-12S 12" Powered Subwoofer could quite possibly be the one.
I like the simple look of this subwoofer, it’s strong and sturdy looking with a medium matte black finish. It’s squat and square and I like the way the grille tapers to the case at the top and bottom. Subwoofers should be placed out of the way in an inconspicuous location but if someone happens to see it, rest assured your sub is a good-lookin’ one.
The performance of the Cerwin Vega! sets a new standard in mid-priced subwoofers. The sound can easily blows its competition right out of the water. The reported dynamic range is listed as 28-150Hz. Many mid priced subs can’t come close to this, for they often bottom out at 30-40Hz. The sound was distortion free throughout the whole range at various volumes. Sound quality was fantastic; the driver produced responsive bass that would be good for both home theater and music applications.
There really isn’t enough I could say about the Cerwin Vega! I love the depth this subwoofer brings to everything I listen to, from music to movies. It fills in the low-end of film audio perfectly. Everything is richer when the CLS-12S is used and the gold plated contacts are a classy touch to the whole system.
The Verdict
