Criterion S 240 Floor-standing Speakers (Pair)

The Criterion S 240
In the Criterion S 240, apparent contradictions come together: sophisticated elegant design, audiophile music reproduction, and complex long-lasting internal construction unite in one loudspeaker. Its transmission line system, developed over the years, allows astonishing bass reproduction in a compact form factor, and its Symmetric Directivity mid-high-frequency system effectively minimizes harmful sound reflections.

With their sophisticated form and subtly elegant lacquer versions, the Criterion loudspeakers effortlessly integrate into any environment and become the perfect embodiment of T+A's claim: unique sound reproduction brought to life in a timeless elegant form.

Transmissionline
Compared to larger speakers, the smaller internal volume of compact speakers makes it significantly more challenging to generate powerful and precise bass. Traditional speakers must either sacrifice bass performance or delicate design. At T+A, sound and aesthetics are not considered contradictions. Therefore, the proven Transmissionline technology has been further refined for the new Criterion series: a delicately folded and precisely calculated multiresonator structure on the inner back of the speaker creates standing waves that maximize sound pressure in the low-frequency range. The energy acting on the high-performance bass drivers is effectively maximized through this technology rather than being lost. To prevent the energy from affecting the drivers as unwanted interference, airtight chambers protect the sensitive high-midrange combination.

Design & Construction
As the second T+A speaker series, the Criterion follows T+A's new design language of "Classic Modernity." A timeless classical framework forms the basis for the consistent application of modern ideas, reinterpreting details from this framework in an exciting way. Its distinctly curved housing is inspired by the appearance of the Art Déco style. This distinctive shape visually elongates the Criterion speakers and gives them a sculptural presence in the room while cleverly disguising their true dimensions. The timeless elegant finishes are built up through sophisticated multilayer processes. The complexity of the Multi-Resonator internal construction matches the sophistication of the external design: from an intricately milled transmission line chamber system with its own airtight compartments for the high- and midrange drivers to structure-borne sound-suppressing internal walls, the Criterion symbolizes T+A's commitment to thoughtful perfection, solidity, and durability, both internally and externally.

Symmetric Directivity System
For more than 40 years, the natural and unadulterated reproduction of music has been a driving force at T+A. The vision behind the music should be neither augmented nor diminished by a T+A system. The entire mid-high-frequency range of the Criterion speakers is transmitted by a system of two midrange drivers concentrically placed around a magnesium tweeter. This system, known as Symmetric Directivity, was first used in the globally celebrated Solitaire S 430 and now brings the remarkably precise radiation behavior of the Solitaire speakers to a new price range. By using two 120 mm or 150 mm StarStabilizer midrange drivers, the displacement of each individual driver is reduced by half, distortion is lowered, and linearity is increased. The precisely calculated control of the midrange drivers and the 25 mm magnesium tweeter by the FSR crossovers creates a sound field whose energy is most pronounced in the center of the listening area. Harmful radiation toward ceilings and floors is reduced before it can develop into disturbing room influences and reflections. As a result, the Symmetric Directivity System creates a broad stage with genuine depth gradation and allows precise localization of all voices and instruments.

Organic Baffle
While the sound waves of lower bass frequencies place significant demands on the structural integrity of the enclosure, the often only millimeters- or centimeters-long sound waves in the high-frequency range require a completely different form of compensation. Even tiny irregularities, such as those caused by screwed chassis cradles or the smallest edges on the baffle, can affect the undisturbed radiation of these frequencies, causing subtle yet audible coloration in high-frequency reproduction. The T+A Organic Baffle Design represents a consistently scientific solution to this challenge. In all Criterion speakers, the baffles are anchored internally without external screws or fasteners. Their shape has been meticulously calculated to prevent potential disturbances in sound radiation from the outset rather than minimizing them after the fact. This innovative design ensures accurate mid-high-frequency reproduction without impairments, leading to the purest form of sound experience.

Chassis
Each Criterion speaker is driven by five chassis. Two 170 mm or 220 mm high-performance woofers, featuring modern aluminum die-cast baskets, couple energy into the transmission line system through precisely matched resonance frequencies. Thanks to strong magnet drives, large voice coils, and the long-excursion design of the moving parts, they can generate very high levels at the lowest frequencies without distortion and with excellent transient response.

Two 120 mm or 150 mm high-performance midrange drivers are also equipped with aluminum die-cast baskets, with narrow struts preventing air turbulence and resonances. Very strong magnets ensure optimal control and driving force, while high-quality suspension systems allow transmission of the entire vocal range. The membrane material and StarStabilizer imprints prevent partial vibrations as well as standing waves. Together, these measures result in completely undistorted, lively, and natural reproduction throughout the entire midrange.

The completely newly developed tweeter features a very rigid and extremely lightweight magnesium membrane coated through a special process that eliminates resonances occurring in the upper treble range, as often found in many metal tweeters. It offers outstanding impulse response, remains free of harshness, and cleanly reproduces frequencies up to 50 kHz.

Each cone chassis is made particularly distinctive through T+A's in-house StarStabilizer membrane system. A precisely calculated conical shape forms the foundation of its performance, while a central star-shaped stiffening structure prevents modes and resonances from developing before they occur. This ensures that the membranes operate pistonically even under the highest loads. The chassis transmit only the signal coming from the amplifier, free from unwanted interference.

Crossover
The Criterion speakers also feature T+A's highly complex double-sided Fast Signal Response three-way crossovers (FSR). These remarkable crossovers play a crucial role in the speakers' outstanding sound imaging and radiation characteristics. A dedicated mass layer (power plane) ensures that even high currents and powerful impulses are processed without distortion, while optimal transient response and first-class signal transmission result from precise calculations. Even the most demanding levels are handled effortlessly, as precise control across all three frequency ranges is always maintained.

The filter stages and bandpasses have been carefully tuned for optimal phase and group delay times. To ensure that this performance is preserved through the final transmission stages, special internal connection cables have been selected for the speaker chassis. Due to the complete separation of the boards for the bass and mid-high-frequency ranges, the Criterion S speakers are ideally suited for operation with bi-amping or bi-wiring.

Principle

• Floor-standing speaker:  3-Way Transmission-line

Power rating

• Nominal power rating:  250 Watts
• Music power rating:  380 Watts
• Impedance:  4 Ohms
• Frequency range:  26 - 45000 Hz
• Sensitivity:  88 dB

Drive Units

• Drive units bass:  2 x 220 mm
• Drive units midrange:  2 x 150 mm
• Drive units high frequency:  1 x 25 mm
• Crossover frequencies:  170 / 1800 Hz

Dimensions H x W x D:  148.5 x 15 x 19.7 inches incl. base and spikes
Weight:  121 lbs each

Technical modifications reserved