 |
 |
Quick Takes -
Technics SBC-500A Center Channel Speaker - July, 2000
Jared Baldwin
| Ratings: | ||
 |
Extraordinary | |
|
Good | |
|
Acceptable | |
|
Mediocre | |
|
Poor |
Technics
SBC-500A
Center Channel Speaker
Drivers: 1"
dome tweeter, 3 5/32" woofer, two 4" woofers
Impedance: 8
Ohm
Recommended power:
100 watts rms (200 peak)
Finish: black
Video shielding:
yes
Connector type: push-spring
Enclosure type: ported
MSRP: $119.99
What they say:
The Technics SBC 500A center channel speaker takes care of
the most important job in a home theater setup by offering a 3-way system that
uses a 1" soft dome tweeter, a 3 3/32" cone long stroke mid-woofer,
and a pair of 4" woofers. The
3 3/32" woofer is a midrange driver with a long stroke design that
enhances sound quality, not to mention aesthetic quality, of this center
channel speaker. The dual ports
are constructed with a bass-reflex design, working together to provide greater
output and maximizing the bass from smaller drivers.
An acoustically transparent detachable grille will help protect the
system's four drivers without altering the sound coming from them.
The SBC 500A is video shielded for ease of placement close to any
magnetically sensitive video equipment.
What we found:
The SBC 500A's long stroke design on the woofer designed to
handle the midrange adds a level of sophistication to often times bored
looking center channels. Did it
improve overall sound quality of the speaker?
Yes and no. Yes, because
voices seemed, for the most part, pretty clean and fairly accurate.
No, because the overall quality of the speaker is average at best,
especially when compared to other center channels at a comparable price.
It is important to know that the SBC 500A is not voice-matched to any
other Technics speakers. This is not to say that a seamless soundstage cannot be
achieved by pairing up Technics speakers, but rather that it will take some
tweaking time to do so. The high
power rating (100 watts rms, 200 peak) will come in handy when you really want
to show off your personal theater to your guests.
This is a fair price for a 3-way center channel since most other
centers in this price range are of the 2-way design.
Rating:
| Looks: | |
| Sound: | |
| Build: | |
| Ease of Use: | |
| Value: | |
- Jared Baldwin
© Copyright 2000 Secrets of Home
Theater & High Fidelity
Return to Table of Contents for Quick Takes
Go to Home Page