Description
Celestion Ditton 15 loudspeakers. Classic Vintage. Fully revitalized.
In 1924, in Great Britain, Cyril French together with his brothers Leonard and Edgar founded “The Electrical Manufacturing and Plating Company”, helping Eric Mackintosh improve his invention – one of the first cone speakers. The Celestion speaker was launched in 1925 and was positively reviewed by “Popular Wireless” as “a top class instrument capable of providing high quality performance”. At the end of the 1920s, the company grew intensively, offering luxurious models of turntables. In the early 1930s, Cyril French and Eric Mackintosh left Celestion and in 1935 the company was hit hard by a global recession. The speaker market shifted from large, stand-alone units to small speakers installed inside radio receivers.
During World War II, both Celestion and British Rola (American branch of Rola) limited their production to just one type of speaker. Rola produced its one at Thames Ditton, while Celestion at a factory located in Kingston-upon-Thames. The British Rola took over Celestion Ltd in 1947 and renamed the company to Rola Celestion Ltd. “Celestion” was registered as a trademark. Two years later, Rola Celestion was taken over by Truvox, which intorduced PA systems to the company’s portfolio.
In the 1950s, the production of speakers was around 30 000 to 35 000 pieces per week. In the next decade, the dynamic development of live music market sparked the success of the G12, which was later popularised as a guitar speaker, used by, among others, the Beatles. In 1964, the Ditton 10 was launched, offering the sound quality that was so far reserved only for speakers in large and heavy enclosures. The Ditton 15 arrived 2 years later and became the best-selling “bookshelf speaker” of its time. In 1979, a new name – Celestion International was adopted for the parent company and all key foreign branches (France, West Germany and the US). Further investment in technology (e.g. scanner and laser application) enabled Celestion engineers to introduce breakthrough solutions in speaker design, many of which have remained a company secret to this day. In 1984, the Sidewinder series of high-performance guitar speakers was presented.
In 1992, Celestion International Ltd. was sold to Kinergetics Holdings (UK) Ltd. In 2003, Celestion production plants and those of another company bought by the corporation – KEF, merged under the name of KH. Currently, they stand as Gold Peak Acoustics UK. Celestion International Limited continues the tradition of researching and developing speakers of the highest quality.
The Ditton 15 are best-selling “bookshelf” speakers of their time, launched by Celestion in 1966. This model was especially desired by demanding consumers, who knew the world of “stereo” well. The Ditton 15 is a 2-way system with a 1-inch dome tweeter, an 8-inch woofer and an 8-inch passive radiator. This solution known as ABR (Auxiliary Bass Radiator) works like a piston moving back and forth, powered by the movement of the air generated by the woofer inside the closed enclosure. This system provides excellent punch at low frequencies while keeping elements at a distance. What is more, the Ditton 15 is a speaker with an extremely stable structure and a simple, elegant design.
The enclosures have been completely revitalized. American walnut wood adds incredible charm to the speakers. High quality finishing screws. Grilles made from new acoustic fabric. Practical, leather handles enable smooth removal and mounting of the grilles. The wood finishing is Chinese oil produced from natural oils and natural turpentine-based beeswax. The wood is pleasant to the touch. The set has been fully reviewed and serviced. New terminals.
Included are two speaker cables with a cross-section of 2×2,5 mm and length of 2×5 m
The set is 100% functional, the speakers are in perfect condition.
Technical data:
– 2 – way system
– recommended amplifier – 30-60W
– impedance – 4 – 8 Ohm
– frequency response – 30 Hz – 20 Khz
– dimensions – 53,5cm (height) x 23,5cm (width) x 24cm (depth)
– weight – approx. 10 kg (pcs.)
– subwoofer – 20 cm
– passive membrane – 20 cm
– tweeter – 3,8 cm
– sensitivity – 90 dB
– made in the UK in 1970/79