Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz
Center Sensitivity: 86.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz
Surround Sensitivity: 86 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the 4400 LR L/R (purple trace), 334 SB subwoofer (blue trace), 4400 C center channel (green trace), and 4400 SR 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 4400 LR’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.89/–4.19 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 88 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 77 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.21 ohms at 186 Hz and a phase angle of –48.89 degrees at 120 Hz.

The 4400 C’s listening-window response measures +2.38/–1.90 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.41/–2.12 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 85 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 76 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.21 ohms at 183 Hz and a phase angle of –41.39 degrees at 120 Hz.

The 4400 SR’s three-face averaged response in dipole mode measures +4.12/–4.73 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 98 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 84 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.81 ohms at 326 Hz and a phase angle of –40.06 degrees at 114 Hz.

The 334 SB’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 40 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 30 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 137 Hz with the Low-Pass switch set to Bypass.—MJP