Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/C/R Sensitivity: 89.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 89 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the GLE 403 L/C/R (purple trace), AS 85 SC subwoofer (blue trace), and GLE 401 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 GLE 403's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.79/–2.24 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.60/–1.88 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 73 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 58 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.74 ohms at 200 Hz and a phase angle of –38.15 degrees at 106 Hz.

The GLE 401's listening-window response measures +1.16/–2.11 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 104 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 89 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.93 ohms at 284 Hz and a phase angle of –50.87 degrees at 158 Hz.

The AS 85 SC's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 39 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 36 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 156 Hz with the Crossover control set to maximum and the Room Compensation switch set to Normal.—MJP