Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the MS satellite (purple trace), M225 subwoofer (blue trace), and MC center channel (green trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The MS's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +3.12/–4.88 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 152 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 126 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.99 ohms at 379 Hz and a phase angle of –50.25 degrees at 216 Hz. Sensitivity averages 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The MC's listening-window response measures +1.81/–5.29 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.95/–4.94 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 150 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 129 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.78 ohms at 17.4 kHz and a phase angle of –56.81 degrees at 224 Hz. Sensitivity averages 85.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz.

The M225's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 33 Hz and the –6dB point is at 29 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 111 Hz.—MJP