get a dedicated speaker package. alvin gold takes five systems to
Transcription
get a dedicated speaker package. alvin gold takes five systems to
0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 1/8/03 3:47 PM Page 109 Tried&Tested WANT THRILLING CINEMA SOUND? GET A DEDICATED SPEAKER PACKAGE. ALVIN GOLD TAKES FIVE SYSTEMS TO THE MOVIES IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT PARTNER P otentially at least, loudspeakers present the most confusing choice of all product categories for cinephile upgraders. There is no mystery to this; there are more of them to choose from, they vary widely in price and size and, most important of all, their sonic performance mirror the taste and level of competence of the designer/manufacturer. To help sort the wheat from the chaff, we’ve chosen five typical sub-£1000 systems to test: two compact sub/sat systems, from B&W and from Celestion, of wildly differing appearance, but which do roughly the same job; another compact sub/sat system from Mirage, completely different in the way it works with room acoustics; an elegant looking system from comparatively new kid on the block, Eltax, the first in the group to use wood as its enclosure material; and finally, Tannoy supply the ‘conventional’ alternative to compact sub/sat systems. All were tested with Sony’s DVP-NS900V SACD/DVD player and a Denon AVR-3803 receiver wired with Tag McLaren interconnects and Chord speaker cables. The cables supplied with the Eltax system were ignored. We strongly advise readers to do the same and discard any freebie cables they may find in the box. TESTED THIS MONTH B&W VM1 CELESTION AVP305 ELTAX LIBERTY 5.2 MIRAGE OMNISAT MICRO 5.1 TANNOY SENSYS H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 109 0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 1/8/03 3:48 PM Page 110 GroupTest FEATURES B&W VM1 VM1 SATELLITES COMPLETE SYSTEM AS TESTED £850 (APPROX) 01903 524801 www.bwspeakers.com OVERALL RATING Drive units: 1 x 125mm cone bass/mid, 25mm tweeter Enclosure type: Bass reflex, rear vented Frequency response: 75Hz-20kHz +/-3dB Crossover frequency: 3.5kHz Sensitivity: 91dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8Ω nom Power handling: 100 Watts programme Dimensions: 552(h) x 124(w) x 93(d) mm; Finish: metallic silver AS1 POWERED SUBWOOFER Drive unit: 164mm cone Enclosure type: Rear vented Frequency response: 27Hz-100Hz +/-3dB Power output: 85 Watts Dimensions: 378(h) x 250(w) x 385(d) mm; Finish: Metallic silver The two speaker models used in this and more conventionally packaged smart-looking sub/sat system are the ASW300, which offers greater bass VM1 – four of which are in the corners extension and more adjustability for of the system with a fifth front centre just £25 more – a real bargain if you’re turned from portrait to landscape willing to put up with the extra bulk. orientation – and the AS1 subwoofer. Performance According to B&W, the ‘V’ in VM1 stands Sound quality is excellent, matching and for ‘versatile’, which stems from its in some respects surpassing its opposite ability to be used vertically using the number from Celestion (reviewed pedestal stand and horizontally using overleaf), another high-achieving a prop which can be screwed to a wall. sub/sat system. The character of the Description system is one whose sound has plenty The stands, like the speakers, are sturdy, of body and immediacy, while the bass with the pedestal stand being well is modestly well extended even without integrated visually with the VM1s. The the subwoofer. The carefully graduated horizontal prop support is not usually directivity means that dialogue is quite visible from the front so there is no real sharply focused towards the centre attempt at styling. The enclosures are of the soundstage, while the other solid and well built, with a rear facing speakers working together manage a wide tonal palate and real tonal port and quality 4mm binding posts. to generate a soundfield that is open accuracy. The supplied AS1 subwoofer and generously proportioned. is a different matter. The AS1 is clearly matching subwoofer, the AS1, which is Colouration levels are very low and well matched, but avoid the ‘movies’ a very neat, slimline design, with a port the satellites have a well extended setting, which tends to boom. and the driver on the front face and the low-frequency response in their own In addition, the low pass filtering is less key operating controls – mains on/off, right, which is just 3dB shy of nominal than fully effective, which means a not music/movies ‘mode’ switch and level at 75Hz. Subwoofer integration problems quite imperceptible transition to the control – easily accessible on top. There is are always eased if the handover takes satellites. It doesn’t offer particularly no adjustable low pass filter, presumably place at a low frequency. impressive bass extension either and the because it is only designed for use with Conclusion alternative ASW300 subwoofer, a much the VM1 whose low-frequency behaviour Of all the sub/sat systems in this group, better engineered design, would be an is known. Nevertheless, you don’t need the VM1 with the ASW300 sub (see extremely worthwhile alternative for to buy the AS1 for this system. Our below) comes closest to delivering a modest extra expenditure. With this recommended alternative is the bigger a genuinely tactile quality, a sense subwoofer, the system really knows of physical presence, combined with how to hark when needed; the system The system was supplied with a The B&W VM1 satellite speakers can be used in both a horizontal or vertical alignment as a whole develops a richer tonality and a more colourful and extended treble, which can follow from improvements in the bass. 1000 900 800 700 600 552mm 500 400 300 200 100 110 H O M E C I N E M A OCTOBER 2003 0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 1/8/03 3:49 PM Page 111 Tried&Tested CELESTION AVP305 FEATURES COMPLETE SYSTEM AS TESTED £800 (APPROX) 01622 687442 www.celestion.com OVERALL RATING AVC301 CENTRE Drive units: 2 x 100mm aluminium coated dome mid/bass; 19mm aluminium dome tweeter Enclosure type: Sealed (IB) Frequency response: 60Hz-22kHz +/-2dB Crossover frequencies: 3kHz Sensitivity: 88dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8Ω nom Power handling: 80 Watts program Dimensions: 128(h) x 287(w) x 150(d) mm; Finish: Silver The big growth area for loudspeaker manufacturers lately had been with lifestyle systems, an umbrella term usually applied to any package with compact satellites, a compact subwoofer and an additional X-factor in the form of the kind of styling that is usually thought to be a prerequisite for making AVS301 FRONTS & REARS it through the front door of many homes (sometimes also called the WAF or ‘wife Drive units: 100mm aluminium coated dome mid/bass; 19mm aluminium dome tweeter Enclosure type: Sealed (IB) Frequency response: 90Hz-22kHz +/-2dB Crossover frequencies: 3kHz Sensitivity: 88dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8Ω nom Power handling: 80 Watts program Dimensions: 210(h) x 120(w) x 150(d) mm; Finish: Silver acceptance factor’). Description The Celestion has these ingredients in spades. There are two satellites, both bulbous aluminium diecastings, one bulb per drive unit, which from the side looks like a wind tunnel scale model. The size of the main driver, which has a diameter of 100mm, is generous, with bandwidth only compromised by the small size S10 POWERED SUB of the enclosures. The centre speaker follows the same pattern except that down to 90Hz (-2dB) on an extra bass/mid driver has been Celestion’s own figures and 60Hz in added and a pedestal foot has been the case of the centre speaker. The mounted amidships to suit the landscape orientation. The subwoofer is a relatively conventional design, almost cubic in shape. This is raised on large cone feet blend with the subwoofer is an excellent which allows the port and drive unit one, provided the low pass filter is left room to breathe. 200 Watts of power on in its lowest available setting. Given tap is a lot for a vented subwoofer and reasonable care setting an appropriate the low frequency bandwidth level, the system gives the kind of (25Hz/-2dB) is impressive on paper. consistency that until recently would The rounded edges and metallic have been unheard of from any charcoal finish are undeniably attractive, compact sub/sat system. The full size however, and the unit is fitted with Tannoy (reviewed elsewhere) still does a strong range of socketry and controls. it better, as you’d expect, but the All very nice, but how does it sound? difference is nothing like as large Performance as had been expected and certainly Thankfully, the Celestion package doesn’t not night and day. flatter to deceive. It’s an exceptional Conclusion performer with a well judged balance, There are simply no serious problems which is a surprisingly close match in with this system, no matter how hard most respects to the also excellent B&W I tried to pick fault. Even playing music VM1. Personal preference could swing it. in stereo, which tends to highlight many The satellites sound quite complete even of the limitations that get averaged out without reinforcement from the in a multichannel environment, the subwoofer and provide a full tonal AVP305 remains almost clinically clean quality with a spacious, slightly distant and well controlled. Vocal intelligibility 800 balance, making the system a relaxing is good and the two frequency extremes 700 one in long-term use. are adroitly handled by the designer, There is some midband colouration, OCTOBER 2003 Drive unit: Downwards firing 210mm Enclosure type: Bass reflex, downwards facing Frequency response: 25Hz-130Hz (variable) +/-2dB Power output: 200 Watts Dimensions: 370(h) x 320(w) x 320(d) mm; Finish: Metallic charcoal 1000 900 600 being well integrated to the point where best described as a horn-like effect that it is not usually possible to hear that may be due to early internal reflections they come from different transducers. making their way through the bass cone An excellent system, the Celestion and mixing with the direct sound. AVP305 helps straddle the divide But the effect is mild and not always between overtly stylised sub/sat noticeable at all. The satellites extend systems and full-size counterparts. 500 400 370mm 300 200 100 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 111 0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 1/8/03 3:50 PM Page 113 Tried&Tested ELTAX LIBERTY 5.2 COMPLETE SYSTEM AS TESTED £750 (APPROX) 01327 860789 www.eltax.com OVERALL RATING Integrated subs in the floorstanders and bipole rears make this a very interesting proposition Eltax may not be one of the best known design. These take the form be balanced more or less according FEATURES ELTAX LIBERTY CENTRE Drive units: 2 x 130mm polypropylene cone bass/mid, 1 x 25mm soft dome tweeter Enclosure type: Bass reflex, rear vented Frequency response: 50Hz-22kHz +/-4dB Crossover frequency: n/a Sensitivity: 87dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 4-8Ω nom Power handling: 130 Watts RMS Dimensions: 175(h) x 480(w) x 240(d) mm; Finish: Light beech or black vinyl ELTAX LIBERTY 5+ Drive units: 250mm pulp cone subwoofer driver; 165mm polypropylene cone bass/mid; 25mm soft dome tweeter Enclosure type: Bass reflex, rear vented Frequency response: 30Hz-22kHz -6dB Crossover frequency: 50-170Hz, adjustable Sensitivity: 88dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 4-8Ω nom (passive section) 4Ω (active section) Power handling: 150 Watts program (passive section) Power output: 175 Watts/4Ω (active subwoofer section, 4Ω) Dimensions: 835(h) x 202(w) x 240d) mm; Finish: Light beech or black vinyl speaker brands in the world, but this of relatively short, deep columns fitted to taste. But the bass has a slightly Danish company is relentlessly chasing with a forward-facing bass unit and hollow feel and there is some excess the market once dominated by Jamo. tweeter pair accessed through sockets output in the upper bass. The main Eltax speakers employ straightforward on the rear panel in the time-honoured speakers show a rising output and some ELTAX LIBERTY REARS drive technology and apparently offer way. In addition, an extra pair of harshness in the upper mid and lower great value for money. terminals is connected to an internal treble frequencies, though there is some Description 175 Watt power amplifier, which in the apparent loss of output in the extreme Material value is certainly a hallmark latest version puts itself to sleep after treble. However, the centre speaker has here, but the most striking feature of this 1.5 hours, waking itself when an input a different, rather recessed balance and system is the semi-active main speaker signal is detected. The amplifier drives the surround bipolars have a quite a bass unit mounted on a side of the different balance again. The combination enclosure, with bass tuning controlled is a pleasing one in some ways, giving by a rear facing vent. a large-scale sound with considerable Performance power and authority and strong The benefit of having a built-in powered projection. The rear speakers add Drive units: 2-way, 4 drivers; bass/mid 100 mm cone units; treble 65mm cone units Enclosure type: Sealed (IB) Frequency response: 50Hz-20kHz +/-4dB Crossover frequency: n/a Sensitivity: 87dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 4-8Ω nom Power handling: 130 Watts program Dimensions: 210(h) x 145(w) x 190(d) mm; Finish: Light beech or black vinyl sub is a reduction in the number of a degree of spaciousness and boxes for which you have to provide consistency to the sound that was not house room and, as the bass signal always apparent from the other systems. is delivered from the same locations Conclusion as the other frequencies, a potentially While attractive, this Eltax package better sonic integration. The active sounds more like a collection of design also gives a degree of control disparate loudspeakers than a over system balance. But in practice the completely integrated system. bass is not as deeply extended – or as In a surround sound context, the most even – as a more conventional approach. Another unusual feature of the system mechanical, simply because the 800 700 character of the sound varies according produce a wide spread of sound from to the angle from the straight ahead. the surround channel. These effectively And the ear soon latches onto the 500 deliver a more detached, diffuse sound inconsistencies this throws up. Overall, 400 than direct radiating speakers and are an interesting system, but this Eltax is 300 particularly effective for movies. a bit of a loose cannon with more front left/right speakers allow the system to 2003 900 835mm is a bipolar rear speaker, which helps The tuneable subwoofers in the main OCTOBER energetic soundtracks sound stilted and 1000 600 200 than a department store. Ultimately, it delivers less than it promises. H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 113 0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 1/8/03 4:04 PM Page 114 GroupTest FEATURES MIRAGE OMNISAT MICRO 5.1 OMNISAT MICRO SATELLITES COMPLETE SYSTEM AS TESTED £800 (APPROX) OPTIONAL STANDS £60 PAIR (APPROX) 01787 249656 www.miragespeakers.com OVERALL RATING Drive units: 76mm polypropylene/titanium deposited bass/mid, 25mm titanium dome tweeter Enclosure type: Sealed box (IB) Frequency response: 90Hz-20kHz +/-3dB Crossover frequencies: 2.2kHz Sensitivity: 88dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8 Ω nom (4 Ohm min) Power handling: 100 Watts program Dimensions: 163(h) x 130(w) x 167(d) mm; Finishes: Platinum, black, white, platinum/white LF-100 POWERED SUBWOOFER Drive unit: 203mm polypropylene/titanium deposited cone Enclosure type: Bass reflex, front vented Frequency response: 27Hz-120Hz (adjustable) Power output: 100 Watts Dimensions: 250(h) x 400(w) x 260(d)mm; Finish: Black vinyl The most innovative of the five systems Conclusion tested here, the Omnisat Micro 5.1 The Micro system is capable of genuinely system is a down-sized derivative realistic results, but there are some of the remarkable Mirage Omnisat. caveats. Although Mirage claims Description otherwise, the system is not the easiest Under its fencing mask cover, the to set up. The system sounds much Micro looks rather as though someone better when used on its optional had taken all the ingredients of a pedestal stands, which open out the conventional satellite speaker and stuck sound remarkably. Place them on a deep them together as a random assemblage shelf, or in an alcove and the sound of intersecting planes and curves. But becomes hemmed in and coloured. The there is method in the madness. The two satellites are coloured anyway for the drivers are stacked more or less above first few hours of life and seem to take each other and each fires into reflectors an age to come on song, but they do that splay the sound around 360˚. There get there eventually. Careful positioning is a forward bias in the distribution, built of the subwoofer is also critical, perhaps into the speaker’s carefully contrived because the transition to the satellites asymmetry, which is intended to mirror takes place at a relatively high way, with an admirable sense of vitality the 30:70 split of direct to reflected frequency. In most rooms it should be and space. Imaging is reasonable, but it sound you might expect to hear in placed away from the listening hot seat. is that sense that soundtracks and music a live musical environment. Take care of the details though, and the are happening in a coherently described system springs to life in a remarkable acoustic that is most remarkable. The subwoofer comes almost as a disappointment after the radical Omnisat Micro. It is basically a straightforward oblong box with roughly the same internal volume as the other larger subwoofers in this group, and The Omnisat might look like a Wellsian contraption – the reality is quite different is fitted with a 200mm drive unit, with level, phase and low pass filter controls on the front panel. Performance The subwoofer’s low pass filter is none too effective, but the sub itself gives an acceptable balance and a quite fruity bass output, which will cause the occasional surprise given its relatively modest design. Like some other similar designs, it is best used with the low pass filter turned fully anticlockwise. This doesn’t quite give the most even bass, but is probably the optimum compromise because it blocks higher frequencies from the subwoofer that otherwise muddy the mid 1000 966mm 900 and upper bass. It has to be said that using one of the 800 better subwoofers in 700 the Mirage range, the Omnipolar OM-200 600 for example, gives 500 a more than subtle 400 improvement in sound 300 quality, but at what might be considered 200 a disproportionate 100 £300 premium. 114 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E OCTOBER 2003 0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 1/8/03 4:05 PM Page 116 GroupTest TANNOY SENSYS LOUDSPEAKER PACKAGE FEATURES SENSYS C CENTRE Drive units: 2 x 175mm paper pulp bass/mid cone, 25mm titanium dome tweeter Enclosure type: Sealed (IB) Frequency response: 51Hz-51kHz -6dB Crossover frequency: 2.7kHz Sensitivity: 88dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8Ω nom Power handling: 125 Watts program Dimensions: 210(h) x 350(w) x 284(d) mm; Finish: Maple, black or rosewood COMPLETE SYSTEM AS TESTED £950 (APPROX) 01236 420199 www.tannoy.com OVERALL RATING 1⁄2 Three of the other four systems in this month’s test group are compact sub/sat systems and the fourth, from Eltax, is SENSYS 2 MAINS a halfway house. Sub/sats and, to Drive units: 1 x 175mm paper pulp bass, 1 x 175mm paper pulp bass/mid cone, 25mm titanium dome tweeter Enclosure type: Bass reflex, rear vented Frequency response: 39Hz-51kHz -6dB Crossover frequencies: 250Hz, 2.7kHz Sensitivity: 89dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8Ω nom Power handling: 110 Watts program Dimensions: 910(h) x 210(w) x 293(d) mm; Finish: Maple, black or rosewood a lesser extent, systems like the Eltax are for many not just the preferred type of loudspeaker packaging, but the only kind. But some people are willing to accommodate a more traditional package assembled from larger speakers, hence this Tannoy set in our group. Read on to find out just what there is to gain and lose as a result. Description supertweeter, whose SENSYS R SURROUNDS What you lose is obvious enough. speaker is too large to live Drive units: 165mm paper pulp bass/mid cone, 25mm titanium dome tweeter Enclosure type: sealed (IB) Frequency response: 58Hz-51kHz +/-3dB Crossover frequency: 2.7kHz Sensitivity: 87dB/m @2.83V Impedance: 8Ω nom Power handling: 100 Watts program Dimensions: 280(h) x 187(w) x 171(d) mm; Finish: Maple, black or rosewood Or is it? True, the main speakers stand directly on top of most TVs. The rear frequency response extends to around around 900mm tall, similar to the Eltax effects speakers are hardly unobtrusive 51kHz. The response isn’t completely floorstanders, but they’re wider, deeper, either, though the maple vinyl wrap even through the supersonic end of the and have a much larger visual footprint of the test system is attractive enough. band and it’s influence on the sound is from the listening area. What’s worse, Performance somewhat counter-intuitive. If the they will need to be used proud of walls This Tannoy system is notable for recording is sharply filtered in the treble and other reflecting surfaces. It’s also another reason. Instead of a (eg, from compact disc), the extended worth noting that this system comes conventional tweeter, each of the treble can be expected to have a limited without a subwoofer and that the centre speakers is fitted with a titanium dome but still probably a noticeable effect. RATINGS B&W VMI Celestion AVP305 Eltax Liberty 5.2 Mirage Tannoy Omnisat Micro 5.1 Sensys Price £850 £800 £750 £800 £950 Type Sub/satellite Sub/satellite Full range Sub/satellite Full range Subwoofer Active sub Active sub Active integral sub Active sub No sub Finish silver silver light beech/black vinyl black vinyl maple/black/rosewood Highs First-rate sub/sat system; excellent balance, dynamics and clarity Easy on the ear and eye; space-saving reduces the number of boxes Bold, upfront sound; Superbly defined integrated subwoofers; imaging; spacious good detail and easy feeling system on the ear Open, even temperament; no discontinuities Lows Tall satellites won’t fit all surroundings; AS1 subwoofer Some midband colouration; harsh upper midband Inconsistent voicing between speakers; some colouration Modestly well designed subwoofer High resolving power makes the system somewhat fussy Fronts 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 Centres 1⁄2 Rears 1⁄2 Overall 1⁄2 116 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E OCTOBER 2003 0310HCC06 Speaker Group P 4/8/03 3:07 PM Page 117 Otherwise, you can expect to hear a slightly sharper, cleaner sound, to be sure, but also better imagery and a more solidly presented bass and midband. Not because of the added high-frequency extension per se, but because of reduced group delay (phase errors) that comes thanks to the added high-frequency extension. This is a crisp, clean system, with a well extended bass by the standards of the group, but, most of all, a much better quality bass. The fact that the low frequencies are generated in stereo by the same speakers that produce the rest of the audio band helps immeasurably, but the well contrived balance that has been arrived at by the designers is at least as important. Conclusion The system is consistently voiced and has a vital, lively quality. Dynamics are expressed well, if not too forcefully, and 1000 910mm 900 the level of detail is high when listened to on the tweeter axis – high enough to 800 expose under-achieving electronics. 700 Tonally, the system is varied and colourful without being overtly coloured, but the 600 lean, dry balance can give a sound that 500 some might consider lightweight when 400 stretched by high-octane soundtracks like 300 Black Hawk Down. Vocal intelligibility, however, is beyond reproach, and this is 200 an easy-on-the-ear, and thoroughly 100 enjoyable system in everyday use. GROUP TEST CONCLUSION In some very specific ways the Mirage Omnisat system is the best of the five systems. When it comes to painting a large vibrant acoustic space that breathes naturally and openly, this system has few equals. But unless it is used with great care, this means in the choice of partnering equipment as well as placement, you could end up disappointed. The Celestion and B&W satellites (it’s difficult to discuss them separately) offer a less problematic performance, which may not have the particular strengths of the Mirage. But they do offer excellent tonality, strong dynamics and a modestly well extended frequency range in their own right, which the subwoofer only needs to fill out in a fairly subtle way. In the end, the B&W satellites are just a little stronger all round. Conversely, it is the Celestion package that offers the superior subwoofer as standard. The Eltax system looks great, but it doesn’t take long to discover that in this particular case beauty is only skin deep. The coarse, mid-dominant balance of the main speakers and inconsistent voicing between the various speakers are reasons enough to look elsewhere. The Tannoy Sensys system is an excellent all-round package that demonstrates the benefits of its extended bandwidth tweeter and which is balanced with enough skill to work with almost any reasonably refined system RANKING 1. Tannoy Sensys 2. B&W VM1 3. Mirage Omnisat Micro 4. Celestion AVP305 5. Eltax Liberty 5.2 OCTOBER 2003