Welcome!Log into your account
Takeaway : The AT-40 is surprisingly refined for a CV speaker. Vocals are clear, cymbals have sparkle but not sibilance, and the midrange isn't overly recessed. At 93 dB sensitivity , the AT-40 is highly efficient. This means that with just 1 watt of power (measured at 1 meter), the speaker produces 93 decibels of sound. By comparison, many modern bookshelf speakers hover around 85-87 dB.
Classic pairing suggestion : Vintage receivers from Marantz, Pioneer, or even modern class-D amps like Crown or Emotiva. The specs state 150W RMS and 300W peak . RMS (Root Mean Square) is the continuous power the speaker can handle safely. Peak is the maximum short-term burst before damage. It is critical to match these numbers with a quality amplifier—underpowering (causing clipping) is often more dangerous than overpowering. cerwin vega at-40 specs
: You can drive the AT-40 to loud, room-filling levels with a modest 20-50 watt amplifier. Conversely, pairing them with a high-power receiver (150-250 watts) gives you headroom for dynamic peaks without clipping. Takeaway : The AT-40 is surprisingly refined for
If you are hunting for a pair of vintage Cerwin Vegas or considering a restoration project, understanding the is essential. This article breaks down every technical detail, from frequency response to crossover points, and explains what those numbers mean for your listening experience. Overview: The AT Series Before diving into the raw data, it is important to understand where the AT-40 fits in Cerwin Vega’s history. The AT (Audio Technology) series emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a bridge between the ultra-efficient "D" series and more refined, home-theater-friendly designs. The AT-40 represents the smaller tower in that series, designed for medium to large rooms where deep bass and high output are priorities, but floor space is somewhat limited. This means that with just 1 watt of
The cabinet is constructed from 3/4" MDF with internal bracing. At 52 lbs each, they are solid but not impossible to move. The vinyl veneer finish is functional but not high-end furniture grade—these are workhorse speakers, not art pieces. | Model | Woofer | Sensitivity | Frequency Response | Power Handling | |-------|--------|-------------|-------------------|----------------| | AT-40 | 10" | 93 dB | 32 Hz - 20 kHz | 150W RMS | | AT-12 | 12" | 94 dB | 28 Hz - 20 kHz | 175W RMS | | AT-15 | 15" | 95 dB | 24 Hz - 20 kHz | 200W RMS | | D-5 | 10" | 91 dB | 39 Hz - 20 kHz | 100W RMS |
The AT-40 is a —a classic configuration that separates lows, mids, and highs into dedicated drivers, all housed in a ported cabinet to extend low-frequency response. Complete Cerwin Vega AT-40 Specs (Factory Data) Below is the official specification sheet for the Cerwin Vega AT-40. Note that these figures are from original Cerwin Vega literature. Variations may exist in different production runs (e.g., early vs. late 1990s models).
| Specification | Detail | |---------------|--------| | | 3-way, bass-reflex floor-standing loudspeaker | | Woofer | 10" (254mm) cast-frame woofer with CV’s proprietary foam surround | | Midrange | 5.25" (133mm) coated paper cone | | Tweeter | 1" (25mm) soft-dome ferrofluid-cooled tweeter | | Frequency Response | 32 Hz – 20 kHz (± 3 dB) | | Sensitivity (1W/1m) | 93 dB | | Nominal Impedance | 8 ohms | | Power Handling (RMS) | 150 watts | | Power Handling (Peak) | 300 watts | | Crossover Frequencies | 500 Hz / 5 kHz (2nd-order Linkwitz-Riley) | | Recommended Amplifier Power | 20 – 250 watts per channel | | Enclosure Type | Vented (rear-firing port) | | Dimensions (H x W x D) | 35" (889mm) x 14" (356mm) x 12" (305mm) | | Weight (per speaker) | 52 lbs (23.6 kg) | Breaking Down the Cerwin Vega AT-40 Specs Now let's decode what these numbers mean in practice. Woofer: The Legendary 10-Inch Power Plant The 10" woofer is the heart of the AT-40. Unlike the massive 12" or 15" drivers found in AT-15 or AT-12 models, the 10" unit offers a compromise: tighter, faster bass with less boominess, while still able to move substantial air. The cast-frame basket reduces resonance, and the high-excursion foam surround allows for significant cone travel without distortion.