Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround 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 FS-3 left channel (purple trace), SB-900 subwoofer (blue trace), FS-3 center channel (green trace), and LCR-3 surround (red 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 FS-3’s left channel listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.04/–2.54 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 137 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 121 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.29 ohms at 373 Hz and a phase angle of +30.54 degrees at 2.5 kHz.

The FS-3’s center channel listening-window response measures +2.22/–3.10 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.29/–3.50 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 134 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 118 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.28 ohms at 374 Hz and a phase angle of +29.98 degrees at 2.5 kHz.

The LCR-3’s listening-window response measures +1.46/–2.81 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.75/–2.18 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz when mounted vertically. The –3dB point is at 132 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 115 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.23 ohms at 384 Hz and a phase angle of +31.84 degrees at 2.5 kHz.

The SB-900’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 34 Hz and the –6dB point is at 31 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 185 Hz with the Lowpass switch set to Bypass.—MJP