Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 91 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 92 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround 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 RB-81 L/R (purple trace), RSW10d subwoofer (blue trace), RC-62 center channel (green trace), and RS-52 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 RB-81's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.48/–1.09 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 54 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 49 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.43 ohms at 164 Hz and a phase angle of –59.44 degrees at 93 Hz.

The RC-62's listening-window response measures +2.10/–3.63 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.47/–4.14 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 69 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 57 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.86 ohms at 200 Hz and a phase angle of –52.87 degrees at 106 Hz.

The RS-52's three-face averaged response measures +2.81/–3.30 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 90 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 79 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.91 ohms at 267 Hz and a phase angle of –51.47 degrees at 139 Hz.

The RSW10d's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 23 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 22 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 98 Hz with the controls set to bypass and flat.—MJP