steve@ncsc.navy.mil (Mahan) (03/05/90)
In response to a question in issue 6.14 about what a satellite speaker
is:
Satellite speakers are small speakers (largest dimension approx. 1 foot)
which are usually used in conjunction with a subwoofer. Advantage include
lesser size, easier room placement, easier integration into room decor, ability
to fit in small rooms, good bass response due to subwoofer.
Disadvantages include 3 speakers instead of two, extra system wiring,
necessity of matching subwoofer to satellites in volume, setting proper
crossover frequencies, impossibility of getting a phase match (differential
time delay, not absolute phase) among the three speakers for different
listening positions, elimination of differential bass information between
channels. Note that most of these difficulties are eliminated with an
integrated system purchased as a unit from a single manufacturer.
I have listened to several examples of this type of system and confess that
I still prefer the full sized speakers.
Stephen Mahan
steve@ncsc.navy.mil