Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.heco-audio.de

Audiovision Edition 12 | 2014

Celan GT 5.1 SET

"A real highlight!"

Lise-Meitner-Str. 9 · 50259 Pulheim · Germany · www.heco-audio.de

CElAn GT 5.1 SET

Generation gracile

The Celan GT (Generation Three) series from Heco has been around for a while. But the manufacture has now set aside the previous models for slimmer versions – the "New Celan GT". The Celan series has established itself at the top in the hierarchy of the manufacture Heco located in Pulheim near Cologne as seen in the special "Concerto Grosso" and "The New Statement" models. When introducing the latest generation in 2012, the developer added an impressive array of high-tech solutions. In contrast, brand new are the members of this series that have stepped up, the Celan GT 602 floorstanding speakers, Center Celan GT Center 32 and Celan GT 202 surround shelf speakers. They are considerably slimmer than their older siblings. What remains are the well-crafted housings made of high-damping MDF, tapering laterally to the rear. Heco also kept the stable acting bi-wiring connection terminals, which also allow level adjustment in the treble range by a removable bridge.

Technology

The chassis technology of the woofer has been slightly adjusted in Pulheim because of the smaller housing width. In fact, the so-called kraft paper is still used as the cone material, a paper made of long-fiber northern coniferous wood and wool threads, which is particularly resistant to cone resonance due to its rigidity and high internal damping. No specially developed chassis with fabric surround is used as the midrange driver for the floorstanding speakers, rather the same 13 cm model in Centers and Surrounds as the woofer.

In terms of a voice coil, Heco has chosen the unusually small diameter of 25 millimeters, which is said to have a positive impact on middle range reproduction, but in terms of heat-dissipation and resilience as compared to larger diameters has its drawbacks. Therefore, the voice coils of both woofers of the floorstanding speakers, also 13 cm diameter chassis, are one number bigger and are better able to dissipate the increased heat generated in their operating range to the environment. The familiar high-energy tweeter is used, whose sophisticated design ensures high dynamics, homogeneous dispersion and a frequency response up to nearly 50 kilohertz.

The New Phalanx 302 A subwoofer is also new.

Of the two mounted on the sides of the 30 cm chassis, only one is powered. The second functions as a passive cone. A Class D power amplifier with 250 watts serves as power source for the sub.

Surround sound quality

That's enough to generate 106 decibels, which is just as impressive as the lower cut-off frequency of the subwoofer of 33 hertz. The frequency response of the front, center and surround speakers disperses with relatively low ripple.

,All are fairly linear, but exhibit a gentle increase towards high frequencies, which starts at 4 kHz and is about three decibels higher at 20 kHz. For front, center and surround speakers, the testers left the level adjustment at 0 dB.

The Heco set appears extremely neutral without noticeable preference or neglect of individual frequency ranges. The measured light treble boost makes Pat Metheney's Overture on the "The Way Up" DVD sound possibly a shade more airy and transparent, which is not unpleasant and leaves a long-range, three-dimensional impression.

The Hecos accompany the dynamic segments in this challenging piece with gusto and the snare and cymbals spring into the room with force. The subwoofer fits seamlessly in this sound and from lethargy, is no Spur Terminator. Its saving grace are the blows and explosions during the chase with the tow truck, spirited and impulsive reproduction, but also presses when the flight droid crosses the bridge, stomach-unsettling bass level in the rough, Speech intelligibility decreases slightly for viewers seated to the side. When more subtle like Jane Monheit and John Pizarelli in "The Can’t Take That Away From Me", the slim Heco combo proves that precisely reproduces voices and instruments in the room and spatial depth can be more than just an idea. It also gives the overall sound high precision, but remains pleasantly airy and drifts far from the unpleasant analytical.

Stereo sound quality

It is always amazing what kind of bass a modern 13 cm chassis can produce. Hecos blast, for example, Supertramp's classic "The Crime of the Century" (original master recording from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs), the bass is rock solid and really pushes on the diaphragm. The 602s also maintain the dynamic style and fascinating airy precision here, impressive with clear-cut three-dimensional spatial reproduction.

AV conclusion

Full sound despite the graceful look. The slimmer Celan GT set is impressive with its dynamic, powerful bass and nimble look in surround such as stereo mode. A real highlight.

Heco Celan GT Set

+ relaxed and yet precise sound

+ lively style of play

+ clean spatial sound pattern