Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz
Center Sensitivity: 89 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 Mythos SSA-50 L/R (purple trace), ProSub 800 subwoofer (blue trace), center channel (green trace), and surround (red trace). All passive channels were measured with grille at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The L/R’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.80/–3.07 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 128 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 112 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.81 ohms at 3.3 kHz and a phase angle of –49.20 degrees at 170 Hz.

The center’s listening-window response measures +1.25/–4.82 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.37/–4.73 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 134 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 116 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.74 ohms at 302 Hz and a phase angle of –53.11 degrees at 139 Hz.

The surround’s listening-window response measures +1.96/–15.34 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 227 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 198 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.14 ohms at 429 Hz and a phase angle of –37.85 degrees at 5.9 kHz.

The ProSub 800’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 32 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 159 Hz with the Low Pass Crossover control set to maximum.—MJP