Quick Takes - Cerwin Vega E-76C Center Channel Speaker - August, 2000


Jared Baldwin

 

Ratings:
		Extraordinary
		Good
		Acceptable
		Mediocre
		Poor

Cerwin-Vega E-76C Center Channel Speaker

Drivers:  1" dome tweeter, two 6.5" woofers

MFR:   50Hz - 20kHz

Impedance:   8 ohms

Sensitivity:  92 dB

Recommended power:  125 watts rms (250 peak)

Size:   8" H x 19 1/2"W x 9 7/8"D

Weight:   21 lbs

Finish:   black

MSRP:   $249.99

Video shielding:   yes

Connector type:   push/spring

Port or sealed:   ported

Speaker matching:   Voice matched to Cerwin-Vega E-Series 2 model speakers.

What they say:

The Cerwin-Vega E-76C center channel speaker is a 2-way system just like the E-75C, but steps up to 6.5" woofers flanking the 1" dome tweeter that allows for deeper bass extension.  With the center channel being the most important speaker in a home theater setup, Cerwin-Vega brings together sonic clarity and voice matching to other Cerwin-Vega E-Series 2 models for a seamless soundstage.  The 1" dome tweeter allows for amazingly clear vocals that equal increased realism for VHS and DVD movies, not to mention 5-channel stereo output.  The E-76C is capable of handling a full-range of sound, meaning that it can handle the highest frequencies up to 20,000 Hz and rumbles all the way down to 50 Hz.  This extended low-range means deeper, fuller dialogue that will keep your heart pounding and your eyes glued to the screen.  The E-76C is fully magnetically shielded to ensure against the degradation of any video source.

What we found:

The E-76C is a very plain looking center channel with the usual cloth speaker grille and black finish.  This does not mean that the sound was ordinary, however.  The ample low frequency output allowed the E-76C to perform very well when fed the full range of 5.1 channel sound.  In fact, it is almost preferable to listen to CDs with the center channel on as opposed to only a 2-channel setup.  The build of the E-76C is solid with the speaker weighing in at over 20 pounds thanks to the high quality construction that the E-Series 2 speakers are built with.  An accurate sonic match was found with other Cerwin-Vega E-Series 2 model speakers when a full-blown Dolby Digital system was fired up.  A nice find was the surprisingly rich soundstage that a pair of Cerwin-Vega bookshelf speakers (E-705 and E-706) combined with the E-76C provided.  Combine the two and you get a great sounding compact system at a fair price.  When combined with Cerwin-Vega floorstanding speakers, the soundstage switched from rich to thunderous.  This system would be a little too much to handle in a small setting like a dorm room, however.  Even with its somewhat plain looks and stout build, the E-76C will still easily blend into a home theater room and find itself a good home on top of almost any television set.

Rating:

Looks:
Sound:
Build:
Ease of Use:
Value:

- Jared Baldwin -

© Copyright 2000 Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity

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