Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

L/R Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 88 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 83 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employ-ing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the M2 v3 L/R (purple trace), VP100 v3 center channel (green trace), QS4 v3 surround (red trace), and EP125 subwoofer (blue 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 M2 v3’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +3.07/–1.88 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 76 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 69 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.99 ohms at 3.5 kHz and a phase angle of –35.47 degrees at 136 Hz.

The VP100 v3’s listening-window response measures +1.52/–3.50 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree hori- zontal responses measures +1.58/ –4.74 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 104 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 85 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.16 ohms at 232 Hz and a phase angle of –33.70 degrees at 136 Hz.

The QS4 v3’s three-face averaged response measures +3.61/–5.40 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 108 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 94 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.32 ohms at 3.5 kHz and a phase angle of –38.15 degrees at 158 Hz.

The EP125’s close-miked re- sponse, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 46 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 39 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 97 Hz with the Frequency switch set to maximum.—MJP