Frequency response (at 2 meters) satellite 96 Hz to 20 kHz ±5.4 dB subwoofer 42 to 150 Hz ±3 dB

Sensitivity (SPL at 1 meter with 2.8 volts of pink-noise input) satellite 82 dB

Impedance (minimum/nominal) satellite 3.8/7 ohms Bass limits (lowest frequency and maximum SPL with limit of 10% distortion at 2 meters) satellite: 125 Hz at 85 dB subwoofer: 20 Hz at 75 dB SPL 89 dB average SPL from 25 to 63 Hz 102 dB maximum SPL at 63 Hz bandwidth uniformity 87% All of the curves in the frequency-response graph are weighted to reflect how sound arrives at a listener's ears with normal speaker placement. Measurements were made at 2 meters to ensure that full effects of cabinet diffraction and front panel reflections were included. The satellite was measured with the grille removed, first on its included stand-in turn placed atop a 6-foot measuring stand-and then measured mounted on a large piece of plywood that mimicked the acoustical effect of a wall. (The graph shown here is from the stand-mounted measurement.) These tests gave quasi-anechoic results down to about 250 Hz. Response of the satellite's woofer was close-miked and spliced to the quasi-anechoic response. The subwoofer's woofer and port were close-miked and their responses summed.

The Fazon Sat's frequency response is admirably smooth, although it does show a big uptilt in the treble. The only major audible anomaly besides the treble boost is a peak of about +3 dB centered at 1.7 kHz, which may serve as a "presence peak" that enhances (but colors) voices. Off-axis response is about as good as it gets with a conventional two-way design-except for a dip at 2.2 kHz that appears at 45° and 60° angles, there's nothing but the expected mild treble rolloff. The response with the Fazon Sat attached to a faux wall was similar except for a dip of -4.9 dB at 530 Hz and a spike of +3.6 dB at 860 Hz; these anomalies are typical for a wall-mounted speaker.

Attaching the grille caused a few minor variances in on-axis frequency response, and one major variance: a broad dip of about -5.5 dB appears centered at 10 kHz. At higher frequencies, the grille reduces treble response by 2 dB. Most speakers sound and measure better with the grille off, and I've presented the grille-off measurements here to be consistent with other S+V measurements. However , the Fazon Sat sounds better and mostly measures better with the grille on, which is the way I listened to it most of the time.

Matching between two samples of the Fazon Sat was excellent. They varied by a maximum of 1.1 dB in one narrow frequency range, but varied by less than 0.2 at all other frequencies.

The impedance of the satellite speaker averages about 7 ohms. Technically, minimum impedance is 3.7 ohms, but that's at 20 Hz-a frequency the Fazon Sat better never see if its owner wants the speaker to keep working. The effective minimum impedance is 3.8 ohms at 225 Hz, which is a little low but probably not an issue given the fairly high average impedance. Sensitivity of the satellite measured a low 82 dB at 1 meter with a 2.83-volt signal at the speaker terminals with the satellite on a stand, and about 1 dB higher with the satellite mounted on a wall. The low sensitivity means you have to turn the volume up pretty high to get to normal listening levels, but still, most receivers have plenty enough power to drive the Fazon Sat to its useful output limits.

The Lektor subwoofer's measured frequency response has the "haystack" curve common to subs of about 15 years ago, with a single peak and a rapid falloff above and below that. However, its output is pretty good for a model of its size, and its dynamic capabilities easily exceed those of the Fazon Sat. Average output at 10% distortion is 89 dB, and the sub peaks at 102 dB at 63 Hz. Surprisingly, although the Lektor doesn't produce powerful low bass, it does deliver usable output (below 10% THD) at 20 Hz. These measurements were performed using the sub's LFE input, which bypasses the internal crossover. Measurements made through the left-channel input with the crossover set to 80 Hz show that the low-pass filter is 3rd order (18 dB/octave).