Quick Takes - Technics SBS-80A Mini-Speakers - September, 2000


Jared Baldwin

 

Ratings:
		Extraordinary
		Good
		Acceptable
		Mediocre
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Technics SBS-80A Mini-Speakers

MSRP: $49.99/pair

Drivers:  4" cone speaker

Impedance:  8 ohm

Recommended power: 80 watts rms (160 peak)

Finish:  black

Video shielding:  no

Connector type:  push/spring

Port or sealed:  ported

What they say:

The Technics SBS 80A mini speakers utilize a full range 4" speaker.  This speaker excels at hiding away into your décor while at the same time providing surround sound to a home theater setup.  The SBS 80A mini speakers are not the biggest, not the most expensive, or the loudest, but what their size allows them to be is one of the most versatile.  Their small size allows them to fit almost anywhere so not to offend your interior decorator and at the same time not forgetting to deliver with surround sound for the home theater enthusiast.

What we found:

The Technics SBS 80As are OK for Dolby Pro Logic applications and relatively inexpensive home theater systems, as long as you don't crank the volume.  They are also satisfactory if you just want to get music into a room to pass the workday or simply for background listening.  For those types of applications, the SBS80A mini speakers are much better than a clock radio.  In spite of the generous rms rating given (80 watts, 160 peak), the SBS 80A speakers simply couldn't take being driven by a high current amp, even at moderate levels.  The SBS 80As have a very limited bandwidth, so their use as surrounds in a Pro Logic setup would be fine, but trying to use them in a Dolby Digital system would be a mistake.  Keep in mind that these speakers are highly inexpensive for a reason.

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- Jared Baldwin -

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