Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Satellite Sensitivity: 90 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the SCS4 satellites (purple trace) and SmartSub SS1 subwoofer (blue trace). The passive loudspeaker was measured with grille at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input.

The SCS4’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.98/–6.58 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.04/–6.97 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 47 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 41 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.96 ohms at 235 Hz and a phase angle of –36.23 degrees at 98 Hz.

The SmartSub SS1’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 11 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 10 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 156 Hz using the LFE input with the Distance controls set to off.—MJP