Laboratory test resuLts
Graph 1 shows the far-field (pink noise) frequency response measured by Newport Test Labs with the V12’s variable crossover control set to maximum/THX position (black trace); 110Hz (light blue trace) and to 60Hz (red trace). You can see that with the crossover set to maximum, the response of the M&K Sound V12 is very flat, extending almost out to 400Hz before rolling off. This is actually too extended for a subwoofer, and is only so because when the subwoofer is set to the THX position, it’s depending on the electronic crossover in the driving amplifier (or receiver) to roll off the high frequencies before they reach the V12. As measured by Newport Test Labs, the M&K Sound V12’s frequency response with the crossover control set to the THX position is 110Hz is 27Hz–550Hz ±3dB. The light blue trace on Graph 1 shows that the 110Hz calibration of the crossover control is the highest that should be used when you are using the M&K Sound V12 in a non-THX application. I say this because at this setting the V12’s response is flat to 150Hz and then rolls off at 12dB per octave, which would be ideal when the main speakers were small bookshelf models. As measured by Newport Test Labs, the M&K Sound V12’s frequency response with the crossover control set at 110Hz is 27Hz–300Hz ±3dB. The red trace on Graph 1 shows the response of the V12 with the crossover control set to its minimum calibration point (60Hz) which is the position you’d use when using large, floor-standing main front left- and right-channel loudspeakers. This would have the effect of extending the low-frequency response from 50Hz down to 24Hz (–6dB). As measured by Newport Test Labs, the M&K Sound V12’s frequency response with the crossover control set to the minimum (60Hz) position is 24Hz–90Hz ±3dB. The second graph (Graph 2) shows the near-field (swept-sine) frequency response measured by Newport Test Labs with the M&K Sound V12’s crossover control set to maximum/THX position (black trace); 150Hz (light blue trace), 110Hz (pink trace), 80Hz (green trace), and to 60Hz (red trace). You can see that no matter what setting you use, the V12’s response starts rolling off quite rapidly below 30Hz.
In terms of user-control, I would have preferred it if M&K’s engineers had limited the upper crossover frequency to a 110Hz turnover and provided the THX crossover as a separately switched option, but this would obviously have resulted in increased manufacturing costs for no acoustic benefit. However, my preference for this slightly different approach would make no difference to the ultimate acoustic performance of the V12, and here I have to say that M&K Sound’s engineers have done a great job.
Steve Holding Readers should note that the results mentioned in the report, tabulated in performance charts and/or displayed using graphs and/or photographs should be construed as applying only to the specific sample tested.