Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Satellite Sensitivity: 90.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the HB-1 satellites (purple trace) and VTF-2 MK3 sub (blue trace). The passive loudspeaker was measured with its grille at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The HB-1's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.57/–6.65 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.78/–6.00 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 84 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 55 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.81 ohms at 186 Hz and a phase angle of –50.31 degrees at 106 Hz.

The VTF-2 MK 3's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 41 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 20 Hz with one port bunged and the Bass Extension switch set to 18 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 121 Hz with the Crossover switch set to Out.—MJP