Snell Acoustics Type A Reference loudspeaker Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Seven-component, four-loudspeaker array composed of two Type A Reference Towers, two SUB 1800 reflex-loaded subwoofers, two isolated, outboard, five-way passive filter networks including custom wiring harnesses (two per system) and an outboard electronic crossover for the subwoofers.

Type A Reference Tower: Three-way, acoustic-suspension (sealed) system. Drive-units: four 6.5" mineral-filled polypropylene-cone woofers with 32mm voice-coils, cast-magnesium baskets, and rubber surrounds; two 5" mineral-filled polypropylene-cone midrange units with vented voice-coil gap cooling, cast-magnesium baskets, and rubber surrounds; one 1" textile-dome, high-energy tweeter with neodymium magnets and magnetic cooling; one rear-firing metal-dome tweeter. Crossover frequencies: 350Hz, 2.7kHz, 9.5kHz. Crossover slopes: low-pass to woofers 24dB/octave; all others, 18dB/octave. Frequency response: 80Hz–20kHz, ±2dB anechoic. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 5 ohms minimum. Sensitivity: 90dB/W/m. Amplifier requirements: 80–150W.
Dimensions: 9" W by 63" H by 12" D. Weight (shipping): 145 lbs each.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 403/404.
Price: $6599 each.

SUB 1800: Reflex-loaded (fourth-order) subwoofer with 18" cast-frame driver. Frequency response: 17Hz–80Hz ±2dB anechoic. Impedance: 8 ohms nominal, 7.5 ohms minimum. Sensitivity: 88dB/W/m. Amplifier requirements: 90–400W.
Dimensions: 21.5" W by 45" H by 16.5" D. Weight (shipping): 150 lbs each.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 2086/2087.
Price: $2499 each.

EC 200: class-A active electronic crossover set at 80Hz (low- and high-pass) in two-channel design. Crossover slopes: low-pass, 24dB/octave; high-pass, 18dB/octave. Single-ended inputs and outputs only. Comes with "wall-wart" plug-in power-supply module.
Dimensions: 8.5" W (front-panel measurement) by 1.5" H by 5.25" deep. Weight (shipping): 2 lbs.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 235.
Price: $299.

Common to all:
Wood finishes available: black, walnut, light oak, dark oak.
Shipping weight: 605 lbs.
System price: $18,999 (1996); no longer available (2009). Approximate number of dealers: 130.
Manufacturer: Snell Acoustics, Haverill, MA (1996); 300 Jubilee Drive, PO Box 3717, Peabody, MA 01961-3717 (2009). Tel: (978) 538-6262. Fax: (978) 538-6266. Web: www.snellacoustics.com.

COMPANY INFO
Snell Acoustics
300 Jubilee Drive, PO Box 3717
Peabody, MA 01961-3717
(978) 538-6262
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
338h10's picture

As I posted on the review for the Snell THX system (which appears to use the same Sub 1800), I assume that the Sub's response of "17Hz–80Hz ±2dB" is due to an internal crossover within the Sub? The external crossover does not seem to cover the sub(s), and I double the 18" driver has nature HF fade that matches exactly with the rest of the system. Thanks.

GruntPuppy's picture

Hi,

The Snell Reference A5 speaker system comes with THREE crossovers - an electronic active one that splits frequencies between bass / mid+treble and sits between the pre and power amps, and an external passive one for each speaker that is, in itself, a damn heavy piece of kit.

As a note of cynical irony, I bought an unused pair of a5 towers, the bass x-over, the passive crossovers, then I got M.E. I now have a complete collection of audio equipment I can't lift :P

I didn't buy the subwoofers. I wish I had, but reality says that I really don't have an environment that will allow me to put a pair of subwoofers with 3' cabinets in it! Instead I've sourced some custom passive custom BK units, and I'm using a configurable active crossover with room correction to allow me to dial-in the setup.

338h10's picture

If I am reading your comments correctly, the subwoofer by itself is just a driver-in-a-cabinet design, without any crossover. If that is so, do you by chance remember the specs of the subwoofer driver? In particular how high can it go? Asking because I am actually considering a compression driver + horn design for the upper frequencies, but it can only reach down to 400-500hz. I would like to avoid a midrange woofer to the extent possible.

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