Comparison Edifier R1855DB vs Sven MS-2080

Speaker sensitivity.

This characteristic is indicated on the basis of how loud the acoustics are capable of producing when a signal of a certain standard power is applied to it. Simply put, the higher the sensitivity of the speaker, the louder it will sound at the same output power of the amplifier. Thus, sensitive acoustics can be effectively used even in combination with relatively low-power "amplifiers". On the other hand, low sensitivity also has its advantages: it allows you to achieve a more uniform frequency response and reduces the likelihood of overloading the amplifier. In the least sensitive modern speakers, this indicator does not exceed 84 dB, in the most sensitive it is 95 – 96 dB or more.

Note that in fact, you have to pay attention to this parameter when acoustics are planned to be used with a separately selected power amplifier. Therefore, for active systems (see "Type"), sensitivity is purely a reference value, and, usually, it can be ignored when choosing.

Rated power of one front speaker. See "Total Power Rating" below for details on power rating. Here we note that the higher the power, the louder the system component can sound — of course, with a properly selected amplifier. In addition, this parameter is very important for matching with the amplifier: it is desirable that the output power on the corresponding amplifier channel be less than the power of the speaker. If the incoming signal is more powerful, distortions in the sound and even damage to the speakers are possible, and if it is weaker, then the sound volume will decrease (in other words, it will not be possible to use the full potential of the acoustics), but this moment will be critical only for listening at maximum volume.

The total rated power of all speaker components, in other words, the sum of the powers of all speakers. As a nominal one, they usually indicate the highest average (rms) power at which acoustics can operate for a long time without overloads and damage. In this case, individual power surges can significantly exceed this value, however, it is the rated power that is the main characteristic of any speaker.

First of all, the sound volume depends on this characteristic: the more powerful the speakers, the louder the sound they can produce if there is a suitable amplifier. In addition, in passive and passive-active models, compatibility with an external amplifier also depends on the power: the output power of the “amplifier” should not exceed the power of the acoustics connected to it, otherwise overloads and even breakdowns are possible.

Detailed recommendations regarding the choice of speakers for power for a particular situation can be found in special sources. However, in general, an indicator of up to 100 W by the standards of modern acoustics is considered quite modest, 100 – 200 W — average, 200 – 300 W — above average, and the most powerful sets give out up to 500 W or even more.

In conclusion, we note two more nuances. Firstly, when comparing different systems according to this ch...aracteristic, one must also take into account the sound format in which they work. In particular, if there is a subwoofer, it can account for a significant part of the total power — up to half or more. As a result, for example, a 2.1 set of 50 W with a 20-watt subwoofer at the main frequencies will not be able to pull out the same volume as a 40-watt 2.0 system: in the first case, each main channel will have only 15 watts, in the second — 20 watts. Secondly, in multichannel systems, the total power can be distributed among the channels in different proportions; so, say, two 5.1 systems with the same total power can differ markedly in front and rear balance at maximum volume.

The range of audio frequencies that the front speaker can reproduce. See "Total Frequency Range" below for details on this setting.

The total frequency range that the speaker is capable of reproducing. Specified from the bottom of the range in the lowest frequency component to the top of the range in the highest frequency: for example, in a 2.1 system with main speakers at 100 – 22000 Hz and a subwoofer at 20 – 150 Hz, the total value will be 20 – 22000 Hz.

The wider the frequency range — the fuller the reproduced sound, the lower the likelihood that some part of the low or high frequencies will be "cut off". It is worth noting here that the human ear perceives frequencies on average from 16 Hz to 22 kHz, and from a practical point of view, it makes no sense to provide a wider frequency range in speakers. However, quite a few models go beyond this range, sometimes quite significantly (for example, there are speakers with a range of about 10 – 50,000 Hz). Such characteristics are a kind of "side effect" of high-end acoustics, and they are usually given for advertising purposes.

Thus, the lower limit of the range in modern speakers can be within frequencies up to 20 Hz, however, higher values \u200b\u200bare more common — 30 – 40 Hz, 40 – 50 Hz, or even more than 70 Hz. In turn, the upper limit in most modern speakers lies in the range 19 – 22 kHz, although there are deviations both upwards (see above) and downwards.

The type of subwoofer included with the speaker.

— Closed. The simplest type of subwoofer: a woofer placed, as the name suggests, in a closed cabinet. Such models provide good sound quality, it is not as susceptible to distortion as the bass-reflex models described below — on the other hand, they are less sensitive.

— Phase inverter. Subwoofers equipped with so-called phase inverters — tubes brought out of the case to the outside. The length of the phase inverter is such that the signal coming out of it is inverted in phase relative to the signal from the speaker (hence the name). It is believed that this has a positive effect on the sound power; at the same time, the movement of air in the tube creates some noise and may affect the clarity of the sound.

— With a passive emitter. The passive radiator looks like an ordinary speaker — however, it is devoid of a coil and a magnet and is not a sound source, but only repeats the vibrations from full-fledged speakers. The purpose of this function is similar to the phase inverter described above, while the advantageous difference between passive radiators and phase inverter tubes is the absence of noise from the air flow.

The rated power of the subwoofer provided in the speakers.

The more powerful the subwoofer — the louder and richer bass the acoustics can produce. In addition, this characteristic determines compatibility with an external amplifier (if its connection is provided by the speaker design): the output power of such an amplifier on the bass channel should not exceed this indicator. And best of all, when the power ratings of the amplifier and subwoofer are the same — this allows you to fully realize all the capabilities of the woofer and at the same time avoid overloads.

Also note that the overall colour of the sound depends on the ratio of the power of the subwoofer and the main speakers, especially at maximum volume. For example, if in one 100-watt 2.1 set the subwoofer has 50 watts, and in another — only 30 watts, then the first speaker at maximum power will produce richer bass, but with a lower volume of the main channels.

The frequency range that a subwoofer speaker can reproduce.

Recall that subwoofers are originally intended for bass frequencies. Therefore, the upper limit of the operating range in such speakers usually does not exceed 200 Hz — the main acoustic components can cope with higher frequencies; however, there are exceptions. Regarding the lower limit, it is worth recalling that for human hearing it is at a level of about 16 Hz. In modern subwoofers, the minimum reproducible frequency is usually somewhat higher — most often from 22 – 24 Hz; however, exceptions are possible here too — in particular, there are models with a lower limit of 13 Hz and even 8 Hz, that is, already at the level of infrasound. Such indicators are not only a sign of a high-class subwoofer — they also have a certain practical meaning, especially if the acoustics are used for a cinema. The fact is that many sound phenomena at low frequencies — explosions, earthquakes, etc. — are accompanied, among other things, by infrasonic vibrations that are not directly audible, but are still perceived by a person in one way or another .. Accordingly, a subwoofer with an extended infrasound range is able to convey such sounds as reliably as possible.

The subwoofer has its own level control, in other words, a volume control. Adjusting the bass volume with such a control is usually much easier than digging into the settings of an amplifier or other signal source.