Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Satellite Sensitivity: 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the M12i satellite (purple trace), M SUB subwoofer (blue trace), and M8i center channel (green trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The M12i’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +3.02/–3.40 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 76 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 54 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.10 ohms at 15.2 kHz and a phase angle of –41.69 degrees at 111 Hz.

The M8i’s listening-window response measures +2.89/–2.67 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.80/–3.48 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 75 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 64 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.13 ohms at 9.9 kHz and a phase angle of –55.18 degrees at 120 Hz.

The M SUB’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 24 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 19 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 102 Hz with the Hi-Filter control set to maximum.—MJP