Tower Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 92 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 M22 L/R (purple trace), ELS SUB subwoofer (blue trace), M8 center channel (green trace), and M5 surround (red trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and were scaled for display purposes.

The M22's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.05/–4.14 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 46 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 36 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.76 ohms at 37 Hz and a phase angle of –34.07 degrees at 5.0 kHz.

The M8's listening-window response measures +2.45/–2.97 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.37/–2.88 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 99 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 89 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.09 ohms at 10.1 kHz and a phase angle of –51.75 degrees at 136 Hz.

The M5's listening-window response measures +0.93/–4.29 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 96 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 67 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.18 ohms at 5.8 kHz and a phase angle of –48.46 degrees at 3.5 kHz.

The ELS SUB's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 24 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 20 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 104 Hz with both the Low Filter and Hi-Filter controls set to maximum.—MJP