Vandersteen Kento Specs Released


From Vandersteen email:

Featuring  a carbon tweeter, the Model Seven MK II midrange, new 9-inch subwoofer drivers powered by 400-Watt Linear Amplifier and increased midbass adjustability resulting in a more open and expansive soundstage, and greater bass authority than the now retired model 5A Carbon.

Vandersteen Audio is very proud to premiere the KĒNTO Carbon, the newest Vandersteen loudspeaker. The previous model at this price level, the Model 5 represented the first Vandersteen speaker with an adjustable powered subwoofer built into the full range enclosure to pursue the ideal time and phase alignment of all drivers. The original Model 5 had been in constant production for over twenty years, where it was firmly ensconced as a Stereophile Class A Recommendations, and was a perennial TAS Editor's Choice and winning universal praise from reviewers and consumers around the world. All of which is testament to the fact that it’s a tough speaker to improve upon! However, Richard and Nathan Vandersteen, the architects of this ambitious project, found that using side-firing 9 inch drivers allowed for further bass and mid-bass integration adjustment in any space. This breakthrough along with the existing carbon tweeter and newly combined with the patented Model Seven midrange yields results never seen at this price point. Early measurements and listening show this speaker’s performance will be a good part of the Model Seven Mk.II and a significant step forward with it’s new proprietary technological features. This speaker is priced at an introductory price of $37,500 per pair in painted or wood veneer finishes, and will be available early in 2020. A small deposit will hold your place and you can decide your finish later. See your Vandersteen dealer for details.

KĒNTO Carbon Specifications
Tweeter
Exclusive Aerodynamic Dual-Chamber, Transmission-Line Loaded Carbon Dome with Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling

Midrange
4.5” Patented Perfect Piston™ Midrange with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Cone, Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Neo-Magnet Assembly and Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling

Mid-Woofer
6.5” Woven-Fiber Cone and Precision-Formed Magnet Assembly Copper Faraday Ring

Subwoofer(s)
(2) 9" Aluminum Drivers with Long-Throw Motor Assemblies
Phase
Positive
Subwoofer Amplifier
400-Watt Class B High-Current Amplifier with Fully Regulated Switching Power Supply

Recommended Amplification
40-200 Watts Into 8 Ohms

Frequency Response
23 Hz – 40kHz +/- 3 dB
Sensitivity
85 dB, 1 meter/2.83 volt input
Impedance
4 ohms +/- 1 ohms
Crossovers
First order/6dB per octave, 200Hz, 900Hz, 5kHz
Input Terminals
Barrier strips, 1/2" max width
Dimensions (WHD)
12” x 47” x 19”
Weight
110 lbs. Ea. Net
Country of Manufacture
Made in the USA in a solar powered factory

cedargrover
This might be a bit heretical given that many in the Vandersteen fold are die hard Analog freaks, but I think a System of a NAIM server into an Aesthetix DAC with volume control out to the M5 Vandersteen amps into Kento would be astounding at about $70 k, ( less cables ) what some drop on just speakers....
fun :-)
substitute in the new DCS for grins...
I almost missed the Solar powered factory bit..... a call is in order to congratulate Richard....

Vandersteen- Saving the Planet and Music !!!!
A few things stand out to me 1) the 6.5 inch woofer vs the 7 inch in the model 5, which I’d think would be an advantage in the model 5. When I went from the Quatro with its 6.5 inch woofer to the 5A Carbon, the upper bass and lower midrange sounded more open and forceful. 2) the 5A Carbon also has the same midrange, I think. 3) there’s no mention of whether or not the crossovers are battery biased.

So the real advantage would seem to be the better bass integration in the Kento.
Of course, there’s no substitute for listening to the new speakers when they’re ready.
Anyone know if the 6.5" woofer (mid-woofer?) purports to be pistonic in its passband?

Too many ps in that post.  :)  Reading my kids too much Dr. Seuss I guess.