Tower Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 87 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the 1C L/R (purple trace), V2W subwoofer (blue trace), 2Wq subwoofer (yellow trace), VCC-5 center channel (green trace), and VSM surround (red trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The 1C's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.20/–4.19 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 49 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 41 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.14 ohms at 9.6 kHz and a phase angle of –49.28 degrees at 69 Hz.

The VCC-5's listening-window response measures +1.33/–6.61 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.51/–6.21 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 69 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 61 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.84 ohms at 5.7 kHz and a phase angle of +51.24 degrees at 126 Hz.

The VSM's listening-window response measures +2.97/–7.40 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 133 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 51 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.77 ohms at 13.7 kHz and a phase angle of –45.36 degrees at 96 Hz.

The 2Wq's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 40 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 19 Hz and the –6dB point is at 16 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 60 Hz with the Contour control set to minimum. Please note that since this subwoofer isn't flat to 80 Hz, its response was normalized to 40 Hz.

The V2W's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 52 Hz and the –6dB point is at 22 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 134 Hz.—MJP