Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

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

Surround Sensitivity: 87.5 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the E70 L/C/R (purple trace), XB6 subwoofer (blue trace), and E60 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 E70's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.88/–1.32 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. In horizontal mode, an average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +2.80/–1.53 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 63 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 53 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.66 ohms at 230 Hz and a phase angle of –66.75 degrees at 111 Hz.

The E60's listening-window response measures +1.25/–0.97 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 65 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 53 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.36 ohms at 203 Hz and a phase angle of –58.73 degrees at 111 Hz.

The XB6's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 31 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 23 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 216 Hz using the Bypass input.—MJP