KCSS

CM LOUDSPEAKER
SERIES

Owner'sManual

ProductConcept
Installation
Miscellaneous
Specifications

1
2
3
4

ProductConcept
THE CM/l030.
Usingthe KossTheory of loudspeaker
designand its
computerizedprogram,Kossengineers
set out to designthe
(4way) loudspeaker
optimum 4 bandpass
system.The
CM/l030's designstartedwith settingthe parametersfor
frequencyresponse,
bfficiencyand cabinetsize. From these
initial specifications,
the KossTheory developedspecific
designcharacteristics
that includea 10-inchwoofer,a mass
aligneddual port system,a parallelmidrangesystem,
and both a tweeterand a trebletweeterthat featurea
uniqueacoustictransformer.To sewthe whole system
togetherinto a seamless,
incrediblybeautiful,full bandwidth
Soundof Koss,the CM/1030featuresa specialquasisecondordercrossover
network.
Deep,Rich Low BassPerformance.No 4 bandpasssystem
available
today matchesthe KossCM/l030 in bass
performance.The interactionbetweenthe 1O-inchwoofer
and the dual portscreatesa high energybassresponse
beginningwith an fg (3 OAdown point) of 29 Hz on
upwardto 300 Hz that's crispand cleanand virtually
distortionfree. The CM/1030'sbassresponse
hasa clarity
and rangethat'll turn your currentmusiclibrary into a whole
new breathtaki
ng experience.
The KossParallelMidrange.One df the major breakthroughs
in loudspeaker
midrangedesignis the developmentof the
l i d r a n g e .B y u t i l i z i n gt h e 4 % - i n c h
C M / 1 0 3 0 ' sp a r a l l em
driversoperatingin parallel,Kossengineers
wereableto
decrease
the requiredexcursionof eachdriver,creating
a dramaticdecrease
in potentialdriverdistortionand an equally excitingincreasein the overallbrillianceand presence
of the midrangeresponse.
Tweeterand TrebleTweeter. With the KossCM/l030, the
high frequencybandpass
rangeis dividedbetweena f -inch
tweeterand a f-inch trebletweetereachenhancedby a
unique acoustictransformerthat createsa 6 dB headroom
increase
in their respective
bandpass
ranges.By narrowingor
dividingthe highfrequencybandpass
rangeinto two
specificdriver bandpasses,
the CM/1030is capableof
shapingand increasing
the acousticenergyovereachof the
bandpass
ranges.Eachhasbeencarefullydesignedto take
advantage
of the optimum spectralcharacteristics
of its bandpass.

I
I

The QuasiSecond-orderCrossover.The crossoverbetween

woofer and the parallelmidrangedriversis a 300 Hz
with a 6 dB per octaveslope,the crossover
frequency
betweenthe parallelmidranges
and the treble tweeteris at
2.5kHz with a slopeof 18 dB per octave,and the crossover
betweentrebletweeterand tweeteris at 7 kHz with a slope
of 6 dB per octave.

1234
THE CM/l020.
Usingthe KossTheory of loudspeaker
designand its
computerizedprogram,Kossengineers
setout to designthe
(3-way)loudspeaker
optimum 3 bandpass
system. ln
parameter,
additionto the 3 bandpass
threeotherswere
specified:cabinetsize.frequencyresponse
and efficiency.
From thesecriticalelements,the KossTheory specified
the optimum designparameters
of the total systemincluding
the precisepositioningof the componentsin the cabinetfor
m a x i m u ms t r u c t u r arli g i d i t ya n d o p t i m u md i s p e r s i oann d
phasecoherency.The result,of course,is the KossCM/l020
3 bandpass,
ventedbox loudspeaker
system. lt's a system
that's in a classby itselfin providinga high energy,
broadbandresponse;
a low distortionproduct;and a high
efficiencylevel.
The Dual Port MassAlignment. The KossCM/1020is a mass
alignedsystemthat providesfor extendedlow bass,high
energyand extremelylow distortion. The CM/l020
utilizesa dual port to enhancethe woofer'sfront sound
wavesand act as an acousticalmasswhich,when resonating
with the compliance(springiness)
of the air in the cabinet.
helpsto dampenexcessive
woofer excursion
and undesirable
or movement.
Why dual ports insteadof one? First,althoughone port with
an equivalenttotal crosssectionalareamight be a viable
alternative,
dual ports,for reducedparticlevelocity,provide
both an optimalsizefor propercabinettuningand an
opportunityto providebetterstructuralstabilityfor the
cabinetitself. This increased
structualstability,in turn,
p r o h i b i t st h e w a l l so f t h e c a b i n e ft r o m f l e x i n gw h i c h
cancauseunwantedsoundwaves.
The dual ports utilizedin the KossCM/l020 enhancethe
10-inchhighenergywoofer usedin the system.This
speciallydesigned10-inchwoofer increases
acoustical
efficiencywith a 3 dB down frequencyof 31 Hz while offeringa maximallyf lat response
overthe low bandpass.
PerformanceSynthesized4%-lnch Midrange. For the
midrangebandpass
of 300 Hz to 3.5 kHz, the KossTheory
specifieda performancesynthesized
4%-inchdriverthat
captures,with a thrilling realism,the musicalenergyand
presenceof this critical bandpass.The sharpfundamental
attacksof the musicalinstrumentsare broughtto life and
the transientsare allowedto grow to their full structure.
One-lnchDomeTweeterand UniqueAcousticTransformer.
The CM/1020utilizesan acoustically
loaded1-inchdome
tweeterdesignalongwith a uniqueacoustictransformerthat
actuallyincreases
the high frequencyheadroomby an
incredible6 dB. Without question,the Kosstweeterdesign
producesthe highestenergyoutput and lowestdistortion
of any tweeteron the market.

SpecialCrossoverNetwork. Usingthe KossTheory, the

computerand a specialquasisecond-order
crossover
network.Kossengineers
wereableto developa seamless
pointsfor the
crossover
networkat the optimum crossover
total CM/1020loudspeaker
system. In general,Kossusesa
6 dB per octaveslopeat the woofer to midrangecrossover
at
300 Hz and an l8 dB per octaveslopeat the midrangeto
tweetercrossover
at 3,5 kHz.
THE CM/l010.
The remarkableperformanceof the quasiventedbox Koss
C M / 1 0 1 0i s n ' tt h e r e s u l to f a l o t o f t r i a l a n de r r o r . B y
d e v e l o p i nag s e r i eos f c o m p l e xs c i e n t i f i ca u d i oe n g i n e e r i n g
f o r m u l a sa n d b y u s i n gc o m p u t e rt e c h n i q u easn d a h i g h l y
procedurecalled"network
technical,mathematical
synthesis,"Kossengineers
wereableto createthe ultimate
(2-way)loudspeaker
in a 2 bandpass
systemregardless
of whetherthe systemis a ventedbox or closedbox design.
Oncethe Kossengineers
setthe criticalparameters
for
cabinetsize,frequencyresponse
and efficiency,the
computer-programmed
KossTheory setthe designparametersof the requiredpassive
radiator,woofer and tweeter.
In fact, the KossTheory is so thoroughthat is not only
specifieda new designfor eachof thesecomponentsaswell
asfor the crossover
network,but it alsospecifiedthe
optimum positioningof the componentswithin the cabinet
to createboth maximumstructuralrigidity and optimum
dispersion
and phasecoherency.
The Sound. Overthe low frequencybandpass,
no other
2 bandpass
speakersystemcan matchthe KossCM/1010's
low distortionand breathtaking
depth and clarity. By
utilizinga 10-inchmassalignedpassive
radiatorto radiatethe
acoustical
energyoverthe lower 2 octaves,it waspossibleto
usea speciallydesigned
8-inchwoofer to reproducethe
criticalmidrangeareaup to 3500 Hz. Thus.the Koss
CM/1010reproduces
a maximallyflat response
from an f3
(3 dB down point) of 35 Hz on upward. Thosewho prefer
more acousticenergyin the 50 to 80 Hz range,suchas rock
musicfans,can removethe passive
radiator'sunique
alignmentmassto createan ftof 42 Hz and a low bassboost
dB centeringon 60 Hz.
of 13/a
The KossTheory alsospecifieda 1-inchdome tweeterand a
uniqueacoustictransformerthat increases
the high frequency
headroomby an incredible6 dB. The KossCMi 1010tweeter
designproducesthe highestenergyoutput and lowest
distortionof any f -inchdome tweetercurrentlyavailable.
The KossCM/10'10alsofeaturesa quasisecond-order
crossover
networkthat providesan invisibleacousticseam
betweenbandpasses.

Installation
Wiring. lt takesonly a few minutesto connectyour
K o s sC M l o u d s p e a k e
t or y o u r a m p l i f i e r N
. o t i n gt h e f o l l o w i n g
stepswill ensuremaximumperformancefrom your
hi-fi system.
1. Whenconnecting(or disconnecting)
the speakerto your
amplifier,be certainthat the amplifieris turned off . Damage
to the speakers
can resultfrom makingconnectionsif the
a m p l i ife r i s o p e r a t i n g .
2 . O r d i n a r yh o u s e h o l lda m pc o r d ( N o . 1 8 g a u g e m
) a k e sa n i d e a l
wire for connectingyour speakers
to the amplifier from
lengthsup to 25 feet. Beyondthat, follow this rule of
t h u m b : N o . 1 6 g a u g ew i r e t o 5 0 f e e t ,N o . 1 4 g a u g et o
75 feet and No. 12 gaugeto 125 feet. Wiresthat are too thin
will reducethe maximumpowerthat your amplifiercan
deliverto the speakers.Also, alwaysusea separatepair
of wiresfor eachspeakerevenif your amplifierpermitsuse
of a commonground. Strandedwire is best. Do not use
shieldedaudiocablefor speakerconnections.
3. Wiresshouldbe attachedto the two terminalson the backof
your speakers
and to the "speakeroutput" terminalsat
t h e r e a ro f t h e a m p l i f i e r .S t r i po f f o n e - h a lifn c ho f p l a s t i c
i n s u l a t i o fnr o m t h e e n d so f t h e w i r e s . C o n n e c t h e e n d o f
one wire to the + terminalon thespeaker.Twist the end of
the wire and insertit into the slot in the screwoost and
t i g h t e nt h e t e r m i n a ln u t . H a n dt i g h t e no n l y . T h e o t h e r
end of the samewire shouldbe connectedto the amplifier's
r i g h tc h a n n eol u t p u tt e r m i n a l( 8 o h m / + ) . N o w t h e o t h e r
wlre similarlycan be attachedto the - speakerterminaland
the corresponding
right output terminalon the amplifier.
Follow the sameprocedurein connectingthe speakerand
amplifiew
r i r e sf o r t h e l e f t c h a n n e l .
Be certainto attachthe wiresfrom the right speakerto the
r i g h tc h a n n eol u t p u tt e r m i n a l so n t h e a m p l i fi e r a n d t h e
left speakerwiresto the left output. Wiresattachedto
one terminalmust not come in contactwith
a n o t h e rt e r m i n a l .
Phasing.For propermusicalperformance,it is important
that both speakers
of a stereosvstem(andall four in a
four-channelsystem)be connected"in phase." Properly
wired speakers
operatein phase.They respondto a
s t e r e o p h o n oi cr q u a d r a p h o n isci g n aw
l i t h t h e i rc o n e sm o v i n g
s i m u l t a n e o u silny t h e s a m ed i r e c t i o n .C o n e so f o u t o f p h a s e
speakers
moveoppositeto eachother and causesome
acoustical"cancellation"which may reduceyour bassresponse
n o t i c e a b l y .l t i s t h e r e s u l to f c o n n e c t i n g
a speaker
improperlyto the amplifieroutput terminals.Careful
a t t e n t i o nt o w i r ec o n n e c t i o nws i l l e l i m i n a t ea n y
phaseproblems.

-1

234
ProtectiveFuses.EachKossCM seriesloudsoeaker
is
equippedwith a protectivefuse (locatedon the speakerinput
terminalpanel) to preventspeakerdamagethat can occur
w h e nt h e a u d i oi n p u t s i g n aflr o m t h e a m p l i f i e rb e c o m eesx cessive.This can resultfrom an overloadof powerfrom high
poweredamplifiers,droppingthe needleon a recordwith
t h e v o l u m et u r n e du p h i g h ,e t c . l f a f u s es h o u l do p e nd u e t o
an excessive
input level,replaceit with anotherof exactly
t h e s a m et y p e a n d r a t i n gl i s t e di n t h e s p e c i fc a t i o n
s e c t i o no f t h i s m a n u a l .
Placement.Whereyou placeyour stereospeakers
probably
will be determinedmore by furniture arrangement,
room
layout and the most comfortablelisteningpositionthan by
acousticalfactors. Therearea few suggestions
that you may
wish to consider,however.
Speakerlocationcan determinethe strengthof the bass
response
and its distributionthroughouta room. Speakers
p l a c e di n c o r n e r sp, a r t i c u l a r l yo n t h e f l o o r , w i l l p r o v i d e
very strong,but probablyuneven,bass.Floor model
s p e a k e r s ,u c ha st h e C M / 1 0 2 0a n d C M / 1 0 3 0w
, ill provide
betterperformance
when not olacedin room corners.The
CM/1010's,when usedas bookshelfspeakers,
are best
positionedeithernearthe room cornersor slightlyaway
from them, with the tweetersat ear leveland the woofers
n e a r e st th e c o r n e r s .P o s i t i o n evde r t i c a l l yt,h e C M / 1 0 1 0
shouldbe placedwith the woofer nearestthe floor.
Also, avoidsettingspeakers
directlyon a floor with a
hardsurface.Vibrationspickedup in the floor will adversely
affectyour soundquality.
For beststereoeffect,speakers
shouldbe six to eightfeet
apart. Too closeand the stereophonic
effect may be lost.
Too far apartand the stereoimagemay havean audiblegap
i n t h e m i d d l e . E x p e r i m e n t a t i owni t h p l a c e m e notf y o u r
K o s sl o u d s p e a k eirnsv a r i o u sl o c a t i o n w
s i l l l e t y o u h e a rt h e
positionthat soundsbestfor you.
PowerRequirements.The maximumrecommended
amplifierpowerratingis listedin the specificationssection
o f t h i s m a n u a l .T h i sr a t i n ga s s u m et sh a t o n l y m u s i cm a t e r i a l
is to be reproducedby the speakers.Waveforms
suchas
sinewaves,
squarewaves,
etc, havea high steady-state
(continuous)energycontentthat will damagethe speakers.
Consequently,
speakers
must not be drivenwith sinewaves
at
t h e i r m a x i m u mm u s i cp o w e rr a t i n g s .

SpeakerAdjustments.SpectrumShapeControlsare
providedso that you can tailor the speakerfrequency
response
to your listeningroom and your types of music.
Dependingon the model,the midrange,trebleand tweeter
units areadjustedelectronicallyby the switcheslocated
behindthe removablegrille. (To removethegrille
cover, gently pull both upper or both lower corners
away from the cabinetand lift off.) Durableself-locking
fasteners
that secureit arevibrationfree and self
aligningfor properfit. The frequencycurveabovethe
switchesdetailsthe portion of the bandpass
that eachswitch
c o n t r o l s .T h e a u d i b l er e s u l t sa r ea sf o l l o w s : T h e m i d r a n g e
switcheson the control panelsof the CM/l030 and
C M / 1 0 2 0g i v et h e m i d r a n g eas b o o s to f 3 d B , m o v i n gv o placesthem
calistsforward in the music. A 3 dB decrease
behind the instruments.
B o o s t i n gt h e t r e b l eo n t h e C M / 1 0 3 0a n d C M / 1 0 2 0b r i n g s
additionallife to all instruments.A 3 dB decrease
softens
t h e mw h e np l a y i n go n l y b a c k g r o u nm
d u s i c .T h e C M / 1 0 3 0
tweeterswitchaddsadditionalsparkleand shimmerto
c y m b a l sa n dt a m b o u r i n ei n t h e + 3 d B p o s i t i o n .T h e
- 3 d B p o s i t i o ni s u s e f u li f t h e l i s t e n i n gr o o m i s v e r y
" b r i g h t " a n d " a l i v e " ( l i t t l ef u r n i t u r e .h a r df l o o r s ,e t c . ) ,
and givesa morenaturalbalancebetweenhigh and low
frequencies.lt alsohelpsto masksurfacehissand scratches
found in older recordings
and in somebroadcastmaterial.
I n t h e C M / 1 0 1 0t,h e w o o f e r ' sl o w f r e q u e n c yr o l l o f f
( r e s p o n s ei s)m a c h a n i c a l a
l yl t e r e db y m e a n so f a l i g n m e n t
mass.The tweeteris electronicallyadjustedby the switchlocatedbehindthe removablegrille.
The alignmentmasspositionedin the passiveradiator
smoothlyextendsthe speakers
down below
bassresponse
35 Hz for warmth and richnessin the bassviolin region.
Without the alignmentmassin the passive
radiator.the bass
is boostedfor more low frequencypunch (e.g.kick drums)
on jazzand rock material. (The alignmentmasscan be
removedby unscrewingit from the threadedshaft.)
The aboveis but a brief introductionof the Spectrum
ShapeControls. You areencouraged
to experimentwith the
switchesin variouspositionsto satisfyyour
own musicaltaste.

Miscellaneous
AssociatedEquipment. In order to enjoy the best
possiblesoundfrom your KossCM speakers,
it
is importantthat the other equipmentin your hi-fi
systemis of good quality and operatingproperly.The
a m p l i f i e sr h o u l dh a v ea m i n i m u mc o n t i n u o u sp o w e r
ratingof 15 watts per channelwith low distortion.
The turntableshouldhaveinaudiblerumble,wow and
flutter and be equippedwith a high quality phono
cartridge.Tapeequipmentalsomust be of compatible
quality with a wide frequencyresponse,
high signal
to noiseratio and inaudiblewow and f lutter.
FurnitureOuality Cabinetry. Kossengineers
and
designers
believethat peoplewho havegood tastein
soundalsowant their speakers
to look good. Because
in most
of the prominentpositionof loudspeakers
rooms,our goalwasto designcabinetsthat enhanced
the roomsin which they wereplaced. Materials
arechosencarefully. Genuinepecanwood veneer
addsa richnessof stylethat paysa subtlecompliment
to any room decor. ModelsCM/l020 and CM/1030,
because
they are intendedfor floor placement,
featurerecessed,
solid brassfinger-grips
for
convenienthandling. Furnitureglideson the bottoms
of both protectthe cabinetsfrom accidentalscuffing.
will be as
GabinetCare.Your KossCM speakers
attractiveafter a lifetimeof concertsasthey are now
if reasonable
careis taken to maintainand protect
them. Carefor your speakers
asyou would any fine
wood furniture. A high quality furniture polish
is ideal. Follow instructionson the package
to maintainthe inherentbeautyof the pecan
wood and delicatedesignof the rich grain. You
may wish to makethe first applicationas soonasyou
placedin the most convenient
haveyour speakers
listeninglocation. Do not set anythingon the cabinet
that may harm its finish and avoidplacingspeaker
cabinetsnearhot radiatorsor directly in the
sunfor long periods. Damageto the cabinetor its
finish shouldbe repairedby a skilled
furniturerepairmanf or bestresults.

Specifications
cMn0m

cMi1010
C O M P O N E N TA R R A Y :

1 0 " m a s sa l i g n e da c o u s t i cf i l t e r
( p a s s i v er a d i a t o r )
8" parameter synthesized woofer
1 " a c o u s t i c a l l yl o a d e d d o m e
tweeter

BANDPASS RESPONSE:
Measured in the far-field to
reflect the true integrated
power response of the
system in the normal
I i s t e n i n gr o o m s i t u a t i o n .

Low frequency 3 dB down

point (f3l

cM/1030

1 0" parameter synthesized

woofer
4/," par ameter synthesized
m i d r a n g ed r i v e r
1 " a c o u s t i c a l l yl o a d e d d o m e
tweeter

10" parameter synthesized

woofer
Two 41," parameter synthesized
m i d r a n g ed r i v e r s
1" acoustically loaded dome
treble tweeter
1 " a c o u s t i c a l l yl o a d e d d o m e
tweeter

Low frequency 3 dB down

point (f3) 31 Hz
High frequency 3 dB down
point, 18.5 kHz

Low frequency 3 dB down

point (f3) 29 Hz
High freguency 3 dB down
point, 19 kHz

Overall system responsefor 6 dB

down points
27.5H2 to 19 kHz

Overall system responsefor 6 dB

down ooints
26Hzto 19,5 kHz

T e s t s i g n a l si n c l u d e :
- swept pink noiseusing 1/10
octave trac kin g f ilters
- s i n u s o i d a lw a v e

A l i g n m e n t m a s si n : 3 5 H z
A l i g n m e n t m a s so u t : 4 2 H z
High frequency 3 dB down
point, 17.5kHz
Overall system responsefor 6 dB
down points
3 2 H z t o 1 8 . 5 k H z m a s si n
3 9 H z t o 1 8 . 5 k H z m a s so u t

POLAR RESPONSE:
U p t o 1 2 k H z a s m e a s u r e di n t h e
f a r - fi e l d i n t h e n o r m a l l i s t e n i n g
room situation

- 3 d B : l n c l u d e d a n g l eo f
12 0 d e g r e e s
- 6 d B : I n c l u d e da n g l eo f
145 degrees

- 3 d B : I n c l u d e d a n g l eo f
130 degrees
- 6 d B : I n c l u d e d a n g l eo f
150 degrees

- 3 d B : I n c l u d e d a n g l eo f
140 degrees
-6 dB: Included angleof
160 degrees

INTERMODULATION
DISTORTIONPRODUCTS:
1 m e t e r o n - a x i sw i t h 2 v r m s
input drive voltage. Measurement f requencies: 4'1.2 Hz
and 440 Hz mixed one-to-one.

L e s st h a n 2 %

L e s st h a n 1 . 5 %

L e s st h a p 1 %

C R O S S O V E RN E T W O R K :
( q u a s i s e c o n d - o r d e r )M i n i m u m
p h a s e ,l i n e a r p h a s es l o p e .
Crossoverf requencies.

3500 Hz

300 Hz
3500 Hz

300 Hz
2500 Hz
7000 Hz

R E F E R E N C EE F F I C I E N C Y :
2
Steradian Load
1 meter on axis
1 watt input
G a u s s i a nd e n s i t y p i n k - s p e c t r u m
noise

92 dB SPL

95 dB SPL

96 dB SPL

M I N I M U MR E C O M M E N D E D
A M P L I F I E DP O W E RR A T I N G
(8ohmsl:
NormalListeningLevel

15 w a t t / c h a n n e l

15 watts/channel

I 5 watts/channel

M A X I M U MR E C O M M E N D E D
A M P L I F I E RP O W E RR A T I N G
(8 ohms):

100 watts/channel

150 watts/channel

200 watts/channel

IMPEDANCE:

Nominal: 7 ohms
Minimum: 4 ohms

Nominal: 6 ohms
Minimum: 4 ohms

Nominal: 5 ohms
Minimum: 4 ohms

S P E C T R U MS H A P E
CONTROLS:
l n c r e a s e= + 3 d B
Normal = 0 dB
Decrease= -3 dB
" O d B " i n d i c a t e sf l a t s p e c t r u m
power response in the far-field.

Tweeter

M i d r a n g e ,T w e e t e r

Midrange, Treble, Tweeter

I N P U TP O W E RO V E R L O A D
PROTECTION:

F u s e d- 3 A G 2 A

Fused-3 AG 2%A

Fused-3 AG 3A

DIMENSIONS:

15%" wide
11" deep
28" hish

15L" wide
133/i' deep
33" hish

16%" wide
14%" deep
39" high

N E TW E I G H T :

44 lbs.

60 lbs.

74 lbs.

T e s t s i g n a l si n c l u d e :
- swept pink noiseusing 1/10
o c t a v et r a c k i n g f i l t e r s
- sinusoidal wave swept at 7,5
in minute

I
I

@I{ESScoRPoRAroN

K O S S C O R P O R A T I O N / 4 1 2 9 N . P o r t W a s h i n g t o nA v e . , M i l w a u k e e , W l 5 3 2 1 2
K O S S I N T E R N A T I O N A L : L o n d o n , D u b l i n , P a r i s ,F r a n k fu r t , A m s t e r d a m
K O S S L I M I T E D : B u r l i n g t i o n ,O n t a r i o ,C a n a d a
KOSSK.K.: Tokyo, Japan

P/N 13-4785
F/N 76-065O