What makes the perfect soundstage? Who came up with idea that a perfect stage had to begin with vocals at the center of the vehicle? Where do the vocals need to be? Do you add a center speaker or do you build some kick panels to maximize the path length for a nice center and wide stage? I had the chance to speak with CDT's Ken Persson about his company's ideas and their new product. CDT is a speaker company that knows their audience and what they like. He said although IASCA, USACi and sound competitors like the center stage to be in the center of the vehicle, the masses beg to differ and prefer the sound to be directly in front of them just like a home audio system. When you're at home listening to your stereo, you are center stage with vocals directly in front of you, Ken explains. CDT developed a speaker package called CenterStage, which consists of a dual 2" mid-tweeter with a frequency extension of 150Hz-20kHz in a chambered pod that you place in the center of your dash. Two 2" mid-tweeters are also installed in each pillar of your windshield. With this system, not only do you add height to the stage, but each listener has a center stage directly in from of them.
There are two configurations for this installation, Persson says. The first configuration would be a simple OEM upgrade by directly wiring into the existing system using CDT's crossover network, a level control to set the volume accordingly and speakers. Simply wire the network in parallel with a fullrange output, place the speaker pod on the dash and install the speakers into the pillars with an optional pod or using the collets provided. Of course you can also use this system in an aftermarket application by adding an amplifier such as the one in CDT's demo vehicle. Both work effectively and the installation time is quick.
Driver's seatCenterStage didn't excel as anticipated from the driver's seat. My first track was from Fleetwood Mac's "Gypsy," I found the midrange to be a bit harsh at a fair volume but the highs stayed near the dash. Stevie Nick's voice was very forward but vague to the point that it was almost unfocused. I really didn't feel like she was singing directly in front of me and I couldn't get a sense of a full stage mainly due to the fact that I could localize the speakers from left to right. Gloria Estefan's "Remember Me With Love" was better in the vocal section and not as harsh, but once again the presence wasn't there for me. Some of the speakers seemed overpowering and didn't set a good stage; but the instruments had some good tones and I did like listening to "Indian Summer" by The Rippingtons. A lot of information came out of the 2" speakers, which managed to keep up with the music.
Passenger's seatSitting on the passenger's side I had a new perspective about this system. The stage was very nice and high with good depth and focus in the vocals. It was very odd to hear such a shift and even more so because the harshness in the vocals was absent and the overall tone was flatter. Increasing the volume a notch made it even more impressive. Both Nick's and Estefan's voices were right on cue directly in front of me, making me feel like I was at a concert. The stage was wide and the information was more accurate. The cymbals were sharp and a little brassy at times, but I could finally see the potential with this setup. Every instrument was laid out from right to left just like a good stage with no dominant speakers. As you'd guess, I sat on the passenger's side more than the driver's side.
My assessment of the CenterStage in the CDT vehicle came clear after I switched places a few times. A simple level adjustment problem caused the shifting of the stage and vocals. This system was actually very basic using minimal equipment: factory head unit and a single 4-channel amplifier driving 14 speakers, four passive crossovers and two CDT 10" subwoofers. I could only imagine how hard it would be to tune a vehicle using only passive crossovers, gain controls and potentiometers.
Since I have a very old school approach to installation, I didn't feel 10 speakers up front could've helped the sound, but others might sing a different tune. With sound bouncing off the windshield from the pod and pillars, 3-way speakers playing through the doors, rear speakers and a basic factory head unit, it was impressive. Overall, I wouldn't have thought about running the entire system with a single 4-channel amplifier, but I did find the vehicle to be very musical. The subwoofer was nice, not only because it was an infinite baffle enclosure, but also the speed and sound was very precise. The subwoofer, although it wasn't the focus of this article, should get some honorary mention because it really did balance the system.
If you're looking for an add-on piece that won't break the bank and a fairly straightforward installation to raise your soundstage while adding individual center channels, then the CDT CenterStage is the ticket.