Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

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

Center Sensitivity: 91.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the WB-14 L/R (purple trace), WC-24 center channel (green trace), and XW-300D subwoofer (blue 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 WB-14’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.47/–6.61 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 90 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 75 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.61 ohms at 288 Hz and a phase angle of –48.43 degrees at 139 Hz.

The WC-24’s listening-window response measures +1.91/–3.80 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.91/ –3.69 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 90 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 69 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.61 ohms at 295 Hz and a phase angle of –39.43 degrees at 146 Hz.

The XW-300D’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 28 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 19 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 108 Hz with the LFE Mode engaged.—MJP