Audio Dynamics 2000 Series 5.25″ Component Set – CS524

Technical Specifications

*Power ratings calculated using electronic high pass crossover with minimum crossover point of 80 Hz @ 24 dB/octave, 100 Hz @ 18 dB/octave, or 120 Hz @ 12 dB/octave

Wool Pulp Cone Technology: Realistic Tonal Accuracy

The Science Behind Material Selection

Audio Dynamics engineers spent countless listening hours examining the tonal qualities of various cone materials—glass fiber, Kevlar, carbon fiber, polypropylene, and more. After extensive acoustic research, wool pulp emerged as the clear winner for its ability to deliver astonishing realism and detailed timbre across the harmonic spectrum.

• Natural Damping Characteristics — Wool pulp's fibrous structure provides inherent mechanical damping, eliminating the resonance peaks and coloration found in synthetic materials like polypropylene or aluminum
• Controlled Breakup Behavior — The material's progressive cone breakup extends usable frequency response smoothly into the midrange without harsh resonances or abrupt transitions
• Harmonic Accuracy — Wool pulp reproduces overtones and harmonics with exceptional fidelity, preserving the natural timbre of acoustic instruments and vocals
• Moisture Resistance — Acoustically-transparent chemical treatment protects the soft parts from humidity and moisture without compromising sonic purity

Why Wool Pulp Outperforms Synthetic Materials

While modern materials like carbon fiber or Kevlar offer impressive stiffness-to-weight ratios, they often introduce metallic coloration or harshness in the midrange. Wool pulp's organic composition creates a sonic signature that's warm, natural, and fatigue-free—ideal for extended listening sessions.

20mm Transparent Silk Dome Tweeter

Clear, Effortless High-Frequency Extension

The CS524's 20mm (3/4-inch) transparent silk dome tweeter uses the highest grade silk material paired with a powerful Neodymium motor to produce clear, effortless highs without harshness or sibilance.

• Transparent Silk Dome — Ultra-light silk diaphragm extends high-frequency response while maintaining smooth, natural tonality
• Neodymium Motor — High-energy rare-earth magnet provides exceptional efficiency and transient response in a compact form factor
• Wide Dispersion Pattern — Silk dome's natural dispersion characteristics create a large "sweet spot" with consistent off-axis performance
• Fatigue-Free Listening — Smooth frequency response eliminates the metallic edge common in aluminum or titanium dome tweeters

Crossover Network & Tuning Options

Polypropylene Capacitors & Air Core Inductors

The external passive crossover uses premium components to ensure clean frequency division with minimal signal degradation.

• Polypropylene Capacitors — Low ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) and tight tolerances maintain signal purity
• Air Core Inductors — Non-magnetic core design eliminates saturation and distortion at high power levels
• Tweeter Attenuation — Direct wire selection between -2dB and 0dB allows fine-tuning for cabin acoustics and personal preference
• Compact Enclosure — Fits behind door panels or under seats for clean, hidden installation

Recommended High-Pass Filtering

For optimal power handling and sound quality, Audio Dynamics recommends using an electronic high-pass crossover:

• 80 Hz @ 24 dB/octave — Best for deep integration with subwoofers; maximum midbass protection
• 100 Hz @ 18 dB/octave — Balanced approach for most systems with 10" or 12" subwoofers
• 120 Hz @ 12 dB/octave — Suitable for compact subwoofer systems or limited low-frequency extension

Build Quality & Construction

Steel Frame Foundation

The CS524 uses a rigid steel frame to provide a stable mounting platform and eliminate basket flex that can cause compression and distortion.

• 60-Count Yarn Cloth Surround — Durable, flexible surround material provides long excursion capability with linear compliance
• 25mm Voice Coil — 1-inch diameter voice coil provides adequate power handling and thermal capacity for 100W RMS operation
• Gold-Plated Terminals — Corrosion-resistant connections ensure long-term signal integrity
• Shallow Mounting Depth — 2 1/8" (54mm) depth fits most factory speaker locations without extensive modification

Installation Considerations

Compact 5.25" Form Factor

The 5.25-inch driver size makes the CS524 ideal for vehicles where 6.5" speakers won't fit, or where space constraints limit installation options.

• Factory Door Locations — Fits most vehicles with 5.25" factory speaker cutouts in doors, dash, or rear deck
• Kick Panel Installations — Shallow depth and compact size allow creative placement for optimal staging
• Dashboard Integration — 20mm tweeter fits standard locations or can be surface-mounted on sail panels/A-pillars

Power Requirements & Amplification

The CS524's 89.98 dB sensitivity provides balanced efficiency—not quite as sensitive as some competition-level components (92+ dB), but efficient enough to work well with amplifiers delivering 50–100 watts RMS per channel.

Use Cases & Applications

Ideal For:

• Mid-Tier SQ Builds — Excellent choice for sound quality-focused systems where natural tonality is prioritized
• Compact Vehicle Installations — Perfect for vehicles with 5.25" factory locations (Honda, Mazda, Subaru, etc.)
• Amplified Front Stage — Designed for 50–100W RMS amplification with proper high-pass filtering
• Jazz, Acoustic, Vocal-Centric Music — Wool pulp cone excels at reproducing natural timbre and midrange detail

Competitive Analysis

Expert Review & Rating

Recommended System Configurations

For optimal performance, the CS524 requires quality amplification (50–100W RMS per channel recommended) with proper high-pass filtering. Contact Audio Intensity for amplifier recommendations and system design guidance.

Warranty & Support

• Manufacturer Warranty: Contact Audio Dynamics for warranty details and coverage information
• Audio Intensity Support: Expert installation guidance, amplifier pairing recommendations, and system tuning advice—contact Audio Intensity for assistance
• Manufacturer Resources: Full specifications and technical data available at AD Car Audio

Final Verdict