Loudspeakers

The technical performance of the Sabrina V versus the previous X [HFN Dec ’20] can be summed up quite simply: it is slightly less sensitive (88.9dB vs. 89.6dB/1kHz), the response is slightly less uniform (errors are ±3.8dB vs. ±2.9dB, re. 200Hz-20kHz) and it’s a little tougher to drive, but all this is traded for lower distortion and significantly better bass extension. The SabrinaX already boasted very low distortion, but the V is more linear still, particularly through the bass where it settles out at ~0.1% THD (re. 50Hz-200Hz, 1m/90dB SPL). Port output has been increased, without exposing quarterwave or pipe modes, while the bass tuning reaches down some 10Hz lower than we saw in the SabrinaX. The diffraction-corrected bass extension still shows a fairly steep roll-off but this is now at 42Hz instead of the X’s 52Hz [–6dB re. 200Hz; green shaded area, Graph 1].

Otherwise, the V’s forward response [Graph 1] clearly inherits the dips in upper bass and mid/presence seen with the X, albeit slightly shifted in frequency, plus associated milder driver resonances, and 15kHz dome mode [see CSD waterfall, Graph 2].The press-to-fit grille has an impact – not entirely unwelcome – to presence and treble [grey trace, Graph 1] but a far smoother response, with reduced ±3.4dB errors, is revealed by toeing the speakers a little off axis [blue trace] – this will surely be the preferred set-up for many listeners. Impedance has got a little tougher, as I mentioned, so while the nominal is quoted as 4ohm with an accurately specified 2.2ohm/121Hz minimum, the accompanying swings in phase angle from –65°/65Hz to +43°/1.4kHz result in a very tough 0.95ohm EPDR at 84Hz. PM