I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Sjöfn Clue's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield responses. My estimate of the Clue's B-weighted voltage sensitivity confirmed the specification of 87dB/2.83V/m. The minimum impedance is specified as 4.2 ohms; the solid trace in fig.1 shows that our samples went a little lower than that, reaching 3.7 ohms at 270Hz and 2.67 ohms at 4.7kHz. However, as the electrical phase angle is never high when the impedance is low, a good, 4 ohm–rated…
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Sidebar 3: Measurements
I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Wharfedale Jade 3's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield response of its woofer. My estimate of the Jade 3's voltage sensitivity was 83.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, which is significantly lower than the specified 86dB/W/m. The Wharfedale is specified as a 6 ohm design. Its impedance remains at or below 4 ohms for the entire midrange (fig.1, solid trace), with a minimum magnitude of 3.2 ohms at 700Hz. The magnitude does remain above 6 ohms in the bass and…
Manufacturer's Comment
Editor: We're confused!
Though Herb Reichert points out (the clue)'s transparency, dynamics, crisp transients, detail, "live" quality, gee-whiz low price, etc., he is disappointed in the "lean" bass, relative lack of warmth, and uneven tonal balance. We quote from his own blog comments from the Capital Audiofest, in July: "what I am now all about is finding that killer $5k system that out plays the $20k systems. And you know what? That is indeed possible and the sound in Sjöfn HiFi's room proved it. Typically, the first thing you give up in the lower end…
I was stationed in Germany in the Air Force for two years in the 1980s, and for one long weekend off had to decide whether to visit Berlin, or travel to Austria and see Vienna. I was told that Berlin, then still divided by the Wall, consisted of late-20th-century high-rises (West) and Concrete Collective Chic (East).
I went to Vienna. It was and is a beautiful city, with much of its late 19th- and early 20th-century character still intact. And while there will always be other claimants to the honor, it's arguably still the classical-music center of the planet. I managed to score standing…
Most of my listening was to CDs, but I also used the Marantz for SACDs (two-channel DSD tracks only), which were played only through the Consummate preamp and its two-channel analog link to the player.
Some manufacturers recommend breaking in their speakers for ungodly amounts of time. Others disdain the break-in concept, apart perhaps for a few minutes to allow the drivers' suspensions to loosen up. In my opinion, listening to music while speakers settle in is a questionable practice; it's just as likely that your ears are breaking in to the sound of the speakers than anything dramatic…
I remember reading about Monitor Audio speakers as I pored over British audio mags in the 1970s, before the economy was globalized. They were among the many worthy UK brands whose cachet was amplified by their unavailability in the US. This venerable brand has survived and flourished, while many others from the 1970s have disappeared, or become mere labels under the aegis of multinational corporations. The reasons for this success seem to be that Monitor has evolved their metal-cone driver technology, kept the focus on their core market, and continued to provide high-quality construction and…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, floorstanding, bass-reflex loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1.1" hand-coated, silk-dome tweeter; 6" X3P midrange; two 6" X3P Spider-Cone woofers. Bass function: impulse-optimizing QB3 (Quasi-Butterworth). Crossover frequencies: 150Hz, 2.3kHz. Crossover: three-way, 6dB and 12dB Bessel. Frequency range: 30Hz–22kHz. Sensitivity: 91dB. Impedance: 4 ohms. Recommended amplification: 40–250W.
Dimensions: 39.6" (1016mm) H by 8.4" (216mm) W by 14.6" (375mm) D. Weight: 61 lbs (27.75kg) each.
Finishes: Piano Black, Cherry; for Piano White, Rosewood…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
Description: Three-way, reflex-loaded, floor-standing loudspeaker. Drive-units (all C-CAM diaphragms): 1" (25mm) dome tweeter, 4" midrange driver, two 6" woofers. Crossover frequencies: 500, 2700Hz. Frequency range: 32Hz–35kHz. Impedance: 4 ohms. Sensitivity: 90dB/W/m. Power handling: 200W. Maximum SPL: 116.8dBA/pair. Recommended amplification: 80–200W RMS.
Dimensions: (excluding grille, terminals, plinth): 39.8" (1021mm) H by 9.6" (245mm) W by 14" (360mm) D. Weight: 51.3 lbs (23.3kg).
Finishes: Black Oak, Rosenut, Walnut (all real wood), High Gloss…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Source: Marantz UD7007 universal Blu-ray player.
Preamplification: Jeff Rowland Design Group Consummate preamplifier, Integra DTC-9.8 preamplifier-processor.
Power Amplifier: Parasound Halo A 51.
Cables: Interconnects: Kimber Kable AGDL digital coaxial (sources to pre-pro), TARA Labs Rectangular Solid Core original (sources to preamp), Cardas Hexlink (preamps to power amp). Speaker: Monster Cable M1.5.
Accessories: Monster Cable HTS5000 Reference Power Center (preamps, source).—Thomas J. Norton
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Digital Sources: Oppo BDP-103 universal BD player, Mac mini running JRiver Music Center, Audirvana Plus.
Preamplifiers: Marantz AV8801, NAD M17.
Power Amplifiers: Bryston 9BST, Rotel RMB-1585.
Loudspeakers: B&W 800 Diamond, Bryston Middle T, Paradigm Studio/60v3.
Cables: Interconnect: Kubala-Sosna Anticipation (RCA) & Fascination (XLR). Speaker: AudioQuest Vodka (HDMI), Kubala-Sosna Anticipation & Fascination. AC: Kubala-Sosna Emotion.
Accessories: APC S-15 power conditioner.—Kalman Rubinson