A thorough review of floor-type speakers that you want to combine with your TV PART1 | Home Theater CHANNEL
・High cost performance models・Q ACOUSTICS「3050i」・FYNE AUDIO「F303」・MONITOR AUDIO「Bronze」・WERFEDALE「DIAMON 123」・POLK AUDIO「R600」・SPEC・REFERENCE
High-cost performance models available
Floor-standing speakers make sense when considering the balance between ease of installation and sound quality when enhancing sound around TVs. Although it requires space to install, it can be set up as it is without the need for empty space on the TV rack or speaker stands. Recently, there have been an increasing number of models with designs and forms that match the interior, and speakers that use slim cabinets that are easy to place next to the TV. Of course, while considering the design aspect, it also has the ability as a pure audio system.
Therefore, in this article, we would like to introduce the floor-type speakers that we would like you to combine with your TV. From introductory models recommended for those who want to introduce full-fledged speakers for the first time to high-end models that cost more than 500,000 yen per pair, we conduct quality checks.
For PART1, we have selected 5 models with a pair price of less than 250,000 yen as an entry class. There are high-cost performance models from each company that offer solid sound quality at affordable prices. The technology of the high-end model has been successfully downsized, and many of the models have relatively slim cabinets, making them easy to install.
Q ACOUSTICS "3050i"
"P2P" technology, which increases strength and reduces vibrations by adding bracing to areas where cabinet reinforcement is required, is used in high-end models. , "3050i", a floor model of the 3000i series, the mainstay of Q Acoustics, which introduced "HPE" technology that converts internal pressure into speed and suppresses resonance. In order to suppress vibration transmission from the woofer, a 2-way, 3-speaker configuration with a virtual coaxial arrangement is adopted, with a 22mm tweeter installed independently from the baffle sandwiched between two 165mm paper cone woofers. The 3000i series includes a bookshelf type, a center speaker and a subwoofer, and can be expanded to multiple channels.
The mid-low range is dense, the low-end sound is rich, and the attack of the rhythm section is thick and strong. The heavy BGM of the action series is impressive. The resolution of the SE is high, the sounds of gunshots and helicopters stand out lightly, and the dialogue expresses the low-frequency reverberations thickly. The music system also has a thick and solid base, and the vocal body is thick and has a calm tone. The outline of the mouth is slightly sweet, and the horn section and stringed instruments stand out sharply and lightly. In the drama series, the weight of the voice works effectively, the female voice has a good luster, and the breathing is also luscious. The mouth is large and has a presence, but you can feel the overall stable exchange of lines.
FYNE AUDIO "F303"
A new Scottish brand founded by former Tannoy engineers. The F300 series is a strategic entry model that uses the know-how gained in the development of the high-end F500 series and keeps the price down. The F303, the top of the series, features two 150mm multi-fiber cone woofers and a 25mm polyester dome tweeter that incorporates "FyneFlute" technology, which suppresses resonance vibration with a complex curved edge with special grooves. 2 ways and 3 speaker systems of coaxial composition. The inside of the MDF cabinet is strongly braced.
The moderate thickness of the low range and the gentle crispness of the high range are fused in a well-balanced manner, resulting in a sound with high resolution and rich spatiality. Orchestral instruments have an elegant luster. In the action series, the grain of the SE is fine, and the gunshots are sharp and have a sense of speed. The BGM has the thickness of a stringed instrument and is expressed in a calm tone with a low center of gravity. The lines are tight and the prospects of the sound field are deep. The drama series has a refreshing voice description and the sound of the firewood is light and clear, making it easy to hear. It has a sharp finish and a refreshing aftertaste, and the gloss on the lips is also good. In music, the low frequencies are tight, and vocals are expressed in a relaxed manner. The density of the sound image is also sufficient, and the horn section is dynamic.
MONITOR AUDIO "Bronze 200-6G"
The company's highly popular "Bronze Series" has evolved into the 6th generation. This unit is equipped with a 25mm C-CAM gold dome tweeter that newly adopts a "UD waveguide" that improves uniform radiation characteristics and phase and directivity, and "DCM" technology that optimizes the joint surface shape of the cone and edge. Equipped with two 140mm C-CAM woofers. The "HiVe II port" is provided on the rear side, and the front side has a smarter finish. We also inherited the method of fixing the unit with a single tension rod from the rear side, and the cabinet using strong MDF is thoroughly braced. Another feature is the line-up of Dolby enable speakers that are rich in design.
In contrast to the rich extension of the low range, the medium and high ranges are somewhat rigid and crisp, showing resolution-oriented delineation. In the action series, the metallic sound of the SE tends to stand out, and the sounds of train rails, gunshots, and explosions are clearly expressed as quick attack sounds. The BGM has a heavy low frequency sound, and is moderately tightened and has good elasticity. The dialogue clearly depicts the nuances of the mouth. Even in the drama series, there is a tendency to draw detailed SE and dialogue movements clearly and neatly, and the sound of insects stands out clearly. In particular, the female voice has a nice lingering luster. For music, the thickness of the mid-low range is tightly packed, and the horn section and vocals are sharp and vivid.
WHARFEDALE "DIAMOND 12.3"
Wharfedale is a long-established brand founded in England in 1932. This is the latest generation of the popular DIAMOND series, and was developed mainly by Karlheinz Fink, a prominent speaker designer. The two 130mm woofers of the "DIAMOND12 series" adopt the "Klarity cone" which is a hybrid configuration of polypropylene and mica. The voice coil incorporates a bobbin made of glass epoxy that suppresses the influence of electromagnetic induction. 25mm soft dome tweeter diaphragm is surface treated with polyester woven form. Three types of bookshelf types with different woofer diameters and a center speaker are also available.
High C/P model with high resolution and natural spatial expression. The reproducibility of the mid-low range is precise and has good braking performance, and the overtone expression of the high range also has moderate moisture and sparkle. The action series appropriately tightens the thick and strong BGM to produce a clear sound field. The SE is also finely traced, and the dry sound of gunshots is also realistic. The lines are lightly put together, and the body tends to be focused. In the drama series, the dignified luster of the female voice is beautiful, and it is drawn with a lively texture that is well separated. In the music system, the bass sounds powerfully, but it is summarized without blurring, and the attack of the kick drum is also clear. The guitar work is also clear, and the vocals are smart and moist.
POLK AUDIO "Polk Reserve R600"
POLK AUDIO was founded in 1972 by Matt Polk and others, and is one of the most technologically advanced speaker brands in North America. In addition to incorporating a 25mm "Pinnacle Ring Radiator" tweeter that combines broadband reproduction up to 40kHz and a waveguide with excellent diffusion, two 165mm turbine cone woofers with increased rigidity and internal loss due to a unique shape installed. Adopts "Power Port 2.0", an evolution of the patented technology "Power Port" that suppresses turbulent air passing through the port and achieves low-distortion low-frequency reproduction. Combined with X-Port, a closed-pipe absorber specifically tuned to eliminate unwanted resonances. A height module is available to support stereophonic sound.
It features crisp and smooth depiction of high frequencies, and a sound with a rich presence that resonates richly while also having damping properties in the low frequencies. The luster of the female voice is good, and the feeling of the body is expressed naturally. The low-end sounds of the SE and BGM are rich and rich in the action system, and the melody of the orchestral instruments is thick and strong. The rotor sound of the helicopter also sounds flashy, but the tone of the gunshots and dialogue tends to be calm. Dramatic lines have a glossy outline expression, consonants are clear and well separated, the body is also narrowed, and the good focus of the mouth stands out. As for the music, the imposing sound of the rhythm section and the thick and rich guitar riffs are impressive, and the vocals are crisp and clear.
SPEC
Q ACOUSTICS "3050i" ●Format: 2-way bass reflex type ●Unit: 22mm tweeter x 1, 165mm woofer x 2 ●Reproduction frequency range: 44 to 30,000Hz ●Crossover frequency : 2,500Hz ●Sensitivity: 91dB ●Impedance: 6Ω ●External dimensions: 310W×1020H×310Dmm ●Weight: 17.8kg
FYNE AUDIO "F303" ●Format: 2-way bass reflex type ●Unit: 25mm polyester dome tweeter x 1, 150mm multi-fiber bass/mid driver x 2 ●Reproduction frequency range: 32 to 28,000Hz ●Cross Over frequency: 3,200Hz Sensitivity: 91dB Impedance: 8Ω Dimensions: 233W x 962H x 308Dmm Weight: 14.6kg
MONITOR AUDIO "Bronze 200-6G" Format: 2.5-way bass reflex Unit: 25mm Gold dome C-CAM tweeter x 1, 140mm C-CAM Bass/Mid driver x 2 Playback frequency range: 35-30,000 Hz ●Crossover frequency: 700Hz/2,400Hz ●Sensitivity: 88dB ●Impedance: 8Ω ●Dimensions: 229W×909H×304Dmm ●Weight: 12.8kg
WHARFEDALE "DIAMOND 12.3" ●Format: 2.5 way bass reflex type ●Unit: 25mm soft dome tweeter x 1, 130mm Klarity woofer x 2 ●Reproduction frequency range: 45 - 20,000Hz ●Crossover frequency: 2,200Hz ● Sensitivity: 87.5dB Impedance: 8Ω Dimensions: 180W x 975H x 348Dmm Weight: 19.5kg
POLK AUDIO "Polk Reserve R600" ●Format: 2-way bass reflex type ●Unit: 25mm Pinnacle ring radiator tweeter, 165mm turbine cone mid/woofer × 2 ●Reproduction frequency range: 35 - 50,000Hz ●Crossover Frequency: 2,700Hz Sensitivity: 87.5dB Impedance: 4Ω Dimensions: 281W x 1064H x 382Dmm Weight: 21.5kg