Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the RTi A1 satellite (purple trace) and DSW PRO 500 subwoofer (blue trace). The passive loudspeaker was measured with its grille at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input.

The RTi A1’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +3.06/ –3.70 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +3.39/–3.28 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 86 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 52 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.43 ohms at 213 Hz and a phase angle of –57.06 degrees at 111 Hz.

The DSW PRO 500’s close- miked response, normal- ized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 36 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 33 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 111 Hz using the LFE input.—MJP