That crossover is simple, consisting of a first-order low-pass filter for the woofer—essentially just a series ferrite-core coil. The tweeter's high-pass filter is second-order, using a electrolytic cap bypassed…
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No such cynicism is apparent in the RT5's design. It's built out of ¾" MDF, with a 1" front baffle. Rapping the cabinet produced a solid if somewhat resonant thunk—I've heard deader, but it's very solidly constructed. The rear panel sports a wall-mounting bracket and an input plate supporting a pair of plastic nutted binding posts on the exterior and the crossover on the inside.
Of course, like any reasonably high-resolution component, the RT5 must be used correctly. Despite the convenience of its wall-mounting bracket, it didn't sound good against the wall, but sounded congested and woofy. In fact, I found it benefited from coming well out into the room—as much as 40" from the wall behind it in my room. I was able to space the RT5s about 6' apart before the soundstage began to have a hole in the middle—this was good, but far from the best performance I've obtained from small monitors in my listening space. (The $2100/pair ProAc Response One SCs, for example, gave…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Two-way, stand-mounted, magnetically shielded, reflex-loaded loudspeaker. Drive-units: one 6.5" mineral-loaded polymer-cone woofer, one 1" polymer-dome tweeter. Frequency response: 54Hz–23kHz, ±3dB. Nominal impedance: "compatible with 8 ohm outputs." Sensitivity: 89dB/2.83V/m. Amplifier requirements: 20–125W.
Dimensions: 14.5" (368mm) H by 8.5" (216mm) W by 9.75" (248mm) D. Weight: 20 lbs (9.1kg) each.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 34383 & 34384.
Price: $330/pair (1998); no longer available (2011). Warranty: 2 years, with 3-year…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
LP Playback: Linn LP12 with Naim Armageddon power supply, Naim ARO tonearm, van den Hul Frog phono cartridge, and Linn Linto phono preamplifier.
CD Playback: Mark Levinson No.39, Meridian 508-24.
Preamplifier: Conrad-Johnson ART.
Power Amplifiers: Cary CAD 300SEI, Krell FPB 600 and KAV-300i, Myryad MI-120.
Loudspeakers: ProAc Response One SC, B&W Silver Signature, B&W DM302.
Cables: Kimber KCAG and WireWorld GEI interconnects, Kimber Black Pearl and WireWorld GEI speaker cables.
Accessories: Audio Power Industries Power…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
The little Polk was surprisingly sensitive, my measurements giving an estimated B-weighted figure of 91dB/2.83V/m. However, its impedance plot (fig.1) revealed that the speaker lingered around the 4 ohm mark in the midrange and high treble. The small "blip" just above 200Hz in the solid magnitude curve indicates the presence of some sort of resonance at that frequency, while the "saddle" in the same trace at 47Hz reveals the tuning of the twin reflex ports. Its high sensitivity and the overall even nature of its impedance curve will make the Polk a good candidate…
The AV7005 is Marantz's second multichannel preamplifier-processor and, at $1499.99, the least expensive pre-pro I've used or reviewed. The Integra DTC-9.8, which has been resident in my stable since 2007, when it cost $1600, and its successors, have since then steadily risen in price. The Marantz's predecessor, the AV8003 ($2599.99), was highly praised in many quarters. I never got my hands on one because, like a churlish child, I felt it lacked features I considered essential. Other reviewers didn't seem bothered by those limitations, or were unaware of them. The AV7005, however, looks and…
Unlike some pre-pros, which enforce the subtle high-frequency rolloff of Audyssey's standard response curve, the AV7005 offers the additional options of Audyssey Flat (no HF rolloff) and Audyssey Byp. L/R (no EQ for the L/R channels). Marantz also makes it easy to choose a preference by allowing the user to scroll through these options, along with Audyssey Off and Manual (I never used it), with a single button on the remote. Each of the Audyssey options opened up the width and depth of the frontal soundstage and enhanced the immersive illusion, whether of ambience or of the performers…
I'm left with a great appreciation of the Marantz AV7005. It did everything I needed of it with great distinction, and it sounded clean and balanced in ways I hadn't heard from a pre-pro or A/V receiver costing less than $2000. All that separated it from high-end pre-pros was a slight forwardness in the sound that was most noticeable with two-channel sources, whether analog or digital—and which some listeners may actually enjoy. It's hard to fault the Marantz AV7005 for sound, appearance, or ergonomics.
Parasound Halo JC 2 BP preamplifier with home-theater bypass
This is not a…
Sidebar 1: Contacts
Marantz America, 100 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, NJ 07430-2041. Tel: (201) 762-6500. Fax: (201) 762-6670. Web: us.marantz.com.
Parasound Products, 2250 McKinnon Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124. Tel: (415) 397-7100. Fax: (415) 397-0144. Web: www.parasound.com.
Sidebar 2: Recordings In The Round
BIBER: Violin Sonatas
MUFFAT: Violin Sonata, Organ Works
Petri Tapio Mattson, violin; Eero Palviainen, archlute; Markku Mäkinen, organ.
Alba ABCD 311 (SACD/CD)
I'm a sucker for stuff like this album, titled A Virtuoso Faceoff. Each of these composers provides a powerful mixture of stately rigor and seething passion that I find irresistible, especially when well performed and recorded, as here. The soaring tones of Petri Tapio Mattson's baroque violin contrast beautifully with the rich underpinning of Markku Mäkinen's pipe organ. Add…