Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/C/R Sensitivity: 85.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the SCS-02 L/C/R (purple trace), SB12-NSD subwoofer (blue trace), and SSS-02 surround (red trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grills at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The SCS-02’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +4.94/–2.05 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. In horizontal mode, an average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +4.92/–3.08 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 75 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 62 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.12 ohms at 4.7 kHz and a phase angle of –41.00 degrees at 2.2 kHz.

The SSS-02’s three-face averaged response measures +3.16/–2.91 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 84 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 70 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.62 ohms at 992 Hz and a phase angle of –57.77 degrees at 111 Hz.

The SB12-NSD’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 22 Hz and the –6dB point is at 20 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 216 Hz with the Low Pass control set to maximum.—MJP