Home Theater Systems Reviews

• Two channels driven into 8-ohm loads: 0.2% distortion at 36.7 watts; 1% distortion at 42.3 watts

• Two channels driven into 4-ohm loads: 0.2% distortion at 53.8 watts; 1% distortion at 65.7 watts

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the L/R (purple trace), subwoofer (blue trace), and center channel (green trace). The proprietary infrared link to the surround speakers precluded our testing of their response. All passive loudspeakers were measured 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 +2.10/–8.13 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 162 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 131 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.77 ohms at 257 Hz and a phase angle of –36.51 degrees at 174 Hz. Sensitivity averages 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The center's listening-window response measures +2.60/–7.00 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.56/–8.95 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 152 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 137 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.46 ohms at 492 Hz and a phase angle of –28.48 degrees at 188 Hz. Sensitivity averages 84 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The subwoofer's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 61 Hz and the –6dB point is at 52 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 98 Hz.

Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –44.17 dB left to right and –44.34 dB right to left. THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.085% 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 –84.64 dBrA.—MJP