Three Men, Three Mini Monitors: Mini TS a family of 3 top monitors as in Klang+Ton 6/07

Christian Gather, Thomas Schmidt and Holger Barske - three editors at Klang+Ton entered a competition to find out who would build the best mini monitor. The result was published in Klang+Ton 6/2007, the kits are available from us.

The three editors were totally free in choosing the drivers:

  • Mini CG: Christian Gather / Udo Wohlgemuth chose Eton ER4 and 5-880/25 HEX
  • Mini TS: Thomas Schmidt selected the Thiel driver C152-T4-82 and C30N-6-24 (see below)
  • Mini HB: Holger Barske decided to use the Scan Speak D2904/980000 and 15W/8831 G00

    • The three loudspeakers were then named after the initials of the originators.Mini TS aus K+T 6/2007

    Technical data of the Mini TS
    - size (HxWxD): 34.3 x 21 x 24 cm
    - impedance: 4 Ohm
    - sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 86 dB
    - crossover frequency: 2.7 kHz
    - frequency range (-8dB): 40->25 000 Hz
    - speaker type: 2 way bass reflex

    Mini TS

    The Mini TS was designed by Thomas Schmidt. He decided to use Thiel drivers since they are of excellent quality even in off-the-shelf loudspeakers. The cabinet wasn't just a rectangular box but high quality, layered cabinet similar to the Nexus. The Machining of the individual layers with belt and eccentric sander alone took one day per speaker.Wyntek-Terminal

    A special feature is the Wyntek terminal (pictured right) used in the TS; due to the high price of these terminals (80 resp. 62 EUR for one terminal with Speakon) we also supply a version with high quality binding posts (see below).

    Excerpt of the review by Thomas Schmidt in Klang+Ton 6/2007:
    ... "Initially the Thiel was rather unspectacular, almost restrained. After a settling-in phase, however, the TS really showed remarkable properties. Especially vocals love these ceramic drivers, almost as if the singers breathed deeply to liven up and they might even appear to be a bit larger than recorded. Careful angling the speakers towards the listener results in audible changes. In our listening room positioning the speakers parallel to the side walls improved the already remarkable three-dimensionality considerably. The bass is obviously not as good and deep as from the Eton, but has such a speed and dryness that the lack of piston radiating area is easily forgotten. The same is applicable to the tops: where the Eton ER4 or the Scan Speak dome tweeter seem to have more three-dimensionality and detail the Thiel scores with clarity. Even though the other two contenders are ahead in some areas, the ceramic Thiel drivers succeeded in giving the illusion as if there was just one point source per side."" ...

    The Mini TS kit by Klang+Ton with Wyntek terminal consists of:

    • Thiel C30N-6-24 tweeter
    • Thiel C152-T4-82 bass driver
    • Wyntek terminal T120-77 305
    • one mat Bawotumex
    • one bag polyester fleece
    • sealing tape
    • 8 PAN screws
    • 2 m cable Spirit of High Silver
    • 1.2 mH Tritec coil 7 x 0.50 mm wire
    • 0.15 mH Tritec coil 7 x 0.50 mm wire
    • 0.33 mH Tritec coil 7 x 0.50 mm wire
    • 8.2 uF MKP QS
    • 3.3 uF Audyn CAP Reference
    • 2.2 uF Audyn CAP Reference
    • 3.9 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-white-gold)
    • 2x 5.6 Ohm MOX10 resistor (green-blue-gold)
    Price for Mini TS kit without cabinet per unit: - not available

    ... and with binding posts instead of Wintek terminal
    Price for Mini TS kit without cabinet per unit: - not available

    Mini TS with Strassacker crossover and binding posts instead of Wintek terminal

    The versions below contain high quality, gold plated K43 AU binding posts instead of Wyntek terminal with Speakon (this represents a saving of more than 50 EUR per speaker). Upon request we also supply (at no additional charge) a Speakon terminal with large mounting sleeve.

    If you prefer the Mini TS with a crossover designed by us, you have the choice of a standard and high end version. The quality of components was chosen according to efficiency and location. Our kits contain the following crossover components :

    Standard Version
    • 1.2 mH backed varnish coil, 1.4 mm wire
    • 0.15 mH air core coil, 1 mm wire
    • 0.33 mH backed varnish coil, 1 mm wire
    • 8.2 uF MKP capacitor
    • 5.6 uF MKP capacitor

      • (instead of 2.2 + 3.3 uF in parallel)
    • 3.9 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-white-gold)
    • 2x 5.6 Ohm MOX10 resistor (green-blue-gold)

    Price for Mini TS, standard,
    without cabinet per unit:
    - not available

    		High End Version
    • 1.2 mH cfc14 copper foil coil
    • 0.15 mH backed varnish coil, 1 mm wire
    • 0.33 mH backed varnish coil, 1 mm wire
    • 8.2 uF MKP capacitor
    • 5.6 uF Mundorf Supreme silver/oil

      • (instead of 2.2 + 3.3 uF in parallel)
    • 3.9 Ohm MOX10 resistor (orange-white-gold)
    • 2x 5.6 Ohm MOX10 resistor (green-blue-gold)

    Price for Mini TS kit, High-End,
    without cabinet per unit:
    - not available

    Please note: When using binding posts the cut-out for the the Wyntek terminal has to be omitted.

    Note 2: Considerable experience in cabinet building is absolutely mandatory.

    Note 3: An HT40 (drain pipe from a building supplies store) is needed, but can be supplied upon request.

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