Tower Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 90 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 87 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the 533-T L/R (purple trace), S-10 subwoofer (blue trace), 533-VAC center channel (green trace), and 532-LR surround (red trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The 533-T's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.81/–2.80 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 68 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 55 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.06 ohms at 43 Hz and a phase angle of –20.82 degrees at 93 Hz.

The 533-VAC's listening-window response measures +3.09/–3.52 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +4.66/–2.60 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 62 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 53 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.25 ohms at 2.3 kHz and a phase angle of –44.59 degrees at 91 Hz.

The 532-LR's listening-window response measures +2.83/–1.17 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 80 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 68 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.74 ohms at 216 Hz and a phase angle of –45.46 degrees at 120 Hz.

The S-10's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 34 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 28 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 123 Hz with the Crossover control set to maximum.—MJP