Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 84 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 83.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the Model Seven L/R (purple trace), Model Fifteen subwoofer (blue trace), Model Three C center channel (green trace), and Model Five 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 Model Seven's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.16/–1.47 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 100 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 89 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.81 ohms at 314 Hz and a phase angle of +45.23 degrees at 3.3 kHz.

The Model Three C's listening-window response measures +0.82/–3.62 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +0.78/–3.72 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 247 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 91 Hz. (Please note that, while there is no boundary-compensation switch, the response appears to be intentionally tapered below 500 Hz to compensate for typical center-channel placement anomalies, which makes some of these results appear a bit unusual.) Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.39 ohms at 1.1 kHz and a phase angle of +55.17 degrees at 1.8 kHz.

The Model Five's listening-window response measures +0.92/–2.32 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 79 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 71 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.79 ohms at 295 Hz and a phase angle of +44.16 degrees at 3.3 kHz.

The Model Fifteen's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 37 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 33 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 183 Hz using the LFE input.—MJP