Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Satellite Sensitivity: 87 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Surround Sensitivity: 83 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the XRC-5.2 satellite (purple trace), X-Ref 10 subwoofer (blue trace), and XRS-4.1 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 XRC-5.2’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.81/–3.50 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. In horizontal mode, an average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +1.59/–4.43 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 77 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 68 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 4.97 ohms at 18.8 kHz and a phase angle of –49.25 degrees at 129 Hz.

The XRS-4.1’s three-face averaged response measures +1.70/–8.44 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3dB point is at 94 Hz, and the –6dB point is at 81 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.61 ohms at 263 Hz and a phase angle of –41.13 degrees at 170 Hz.

The X-Ref 10’s close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3dB point is at 33 Hz and the –6dB point is at 31 Hz. The upper –3dB point is at 117 Hz with the X-Over control set to Direct.—MJP