Loudspeakers

While differently dimensioned and 'voiced', Magnat's Signature Edelstein has an LS3/5A-esque [HFN Jun '23] cabinet volume – so the '90dB sensitivity' is a tad optimistic, despite porting! Principally, it demonstrates a steadily rising axial response above 5kHz, its 25mm fabric dome tweeter reaching a remarkable 43kHz [–6dB re. 10kHz; see Graph 1], while pair matching is an impressively tight 0.6dB. This potentially bright top-end is largely responsible for the ±3.4dB and ±3.3dB response errors, respectively, and while not significantly attenuated by the snug-fitting grille [blue trace, Graph 1], can be managed by toeing-out the speakers by 10-15°. Also, while the upper mid/presence between 1kHz-4kHz (including 2.5kHz crossover) is very smooth, the small 'bumps' at 800Hz and 4.5kHz are linked to a strong port and a mild driver resonance, respectively, that are both revealed in the CSD waterfall [see Graph 2, below].

In reality, a sensitivity figure of 85.6dB/1m/2.83V (re. 500Hz-8kHz) is more realistic. This partially explains the ~1% THD at low bass/high treble (re. 90dB SPL/1m), but Magnat has still squeezed out as much level – and bass – as possible at the expense of impedance. The load nudges below 3ohm from 250-360Hz while, with hefty +53°/–67° swings in phase angle, the EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance) drops to 1.2ohm/180Hz and 1.6ohm/715Hz. Bass is still necessarily limited – the 115mm woofer, with 62Hz port tuning, reaching 73Hz (–6dB re. 200Hz). Shorting the port attenuates the 800Hz resonance and further smooths response [green trace, Graph 1] but bass pulls back to 87Hz. Bookshelf/rear-wall siting will yield deeper, with care. PM