Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Satellite Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 85 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the UB5 satellites (purple trace), S12EQ subwoofer (blue trace), and UC5 center channel (green 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 UB5’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.98/–3.18 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3dB point is at 58 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 42 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.05 ohms at 132 Hz and a phase angle of –22.69 degrees at 73 Hz.

The UC5’s listening-window response measures +3.06/–3.41 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +3.11/–2.77 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 54 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 46 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.76 ohms at 463 Hz and a phase angle of –29.08 degrees at 80 Hz.

The S12EQ close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 20 Hz and the –6dB point is at 18 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 144 Hz. Please note that there is a dip in the response of -3.94dB at 46 Hz when reset to factory defaults and without engaging the EQ.—MJP