Snell D7 Speaker System, Marantz SR9600 A/V Receiver, and Marantz DV9600 Disc Player At A Glance & Ratings: Snell

At A Glance: Snell D7 Speaker System

307Snell.2.jpgSubwoofer: Basis 300
Connections: Stereo speaker- and line-level inputs
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 10, treated paper cone
Power Rating (watts): 300
Crossover Bypass: Yes
Available Finishes: Cherry, Black, custom finishes available for extra cost
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 17 x 15.25 x 16.38
Weight (pounds): 60
Price: $1,500

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Speaker: D7
Type: Two-and-a-half-way, tower
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, silk dome
Midrange (size in inches):
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6.5, treated paper (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 4
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 50–250
Available Finishes: Cherry, Black, custom finishes for extra cost
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 40.25 x 8 x 12
Weight (pounds): 50
Price: $3,000/pair

Speaker: D7 LCR7 SR7
Type: Two-way, Three-way, LCR monitor
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, silk dome
Midrange (size in inches):
Woofer (size in inches, type): 5.25, treated paper (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 4
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 20–250
Available Finishes: Cherry, Black, custom finishes for extra cost
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 19 x 7 x 8.75
Weight (pounds): 21
Price: $1,000/each

Speaker: SR7
Type: Three-way, on-wall surround
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, aluminum dome
Midrange (size in inches): 2.5
Woofer (size in inches, type): 5.25, treated paper
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 4
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 20–150
Available Finishes: Painted Black or White
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 11.75 x 10.4 5.625
Weight (pounds): 12
Price: $1,200/pair

Ratings: Snell D7 Speaker System

Build Quality: 95
&149; Hand-crafted cabinets, built in the United States of America
&149; Level of custom finishing is unprecedented in this price range

Value: 94
&149; If you need a replacement tweeter or woofer, Snell supplies the driver and its associated cross-over parts

Features: 94
&149; Hand-adjusted cross-over networks optimize performance
&149; You can use the LCR7 in a vertical or horizontal orientation

Performance: 93
&149; These speakers provide a steady diet of goose-bump-raising epiphanies
&149; The D7's rear tweeter adds depth to the imaging and soundstage

Ergonomics: 93
&149; The D7 tower's outrigger feet enhance its stability
&149; Love the Basis 300's top-mounted volume control

Overall Rating: 94
Few brands offer Snell's vast custom finishing and fabricating options. The attention to detail is more than skin deep, and the hand-tweaked designs pay off big time when you close your eyes and just listen.

General Information
D7 Loudspeaker, $3,000/pair
LCR7 Monitor Speaker, $1,000/each
SR7 Surround Speaker, $1,200/pair
Basis 300 Subwoofer, $1,500
Snell Acoustics
(978) 538-6262
www.snellacoustics.com
Dealer Locator Code SNE

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