Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.2% distortion at 56.0 watts
1% distortion at 63.6 watts

Two channels driven into 4-ohm loads:
0.2% distortion at 80.8 watts
1% distortion at 96.6 watts

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the L/R (purple trace), subwoofer (blue trace), center channel (green trace), and 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 L/R's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +3.06/–2.51 decibels from 300 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 238 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 178 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.00 ohms at 624 Hz and a phase angle of –40.00 degrees at 254 Hz. Sensitivity averages 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The center's listening-window response measures +2.00/–3.55 dB from 300 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and (+/–15-degree) horizontal responses measures +2.03/–3.76 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 299 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 168 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.06 ohms at 538 Hz and a phase angle of –37.36 degrees at 254 Hz. Sensitivity averages 89 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The surround's listening-window response measures +1.47/–10.18 dB from 300 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 230 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 199 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.12 ohms at 625 Hz and a phase angle of –45.07 degrees at 295 Hz. Sensitivity averages 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The sub's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 55 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 49 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 176 Hz.

Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –61.46 dB left to right and –67.71 dB right to left. THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.191 percent at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. The signal-to-noise ratio with 2.83 volts driving an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with "A" weighting was –87.01 dBrA.—MJP