LABORATORY TEST RESULTS

Graph 1 shows the in-room frequency response of the Sunfire XTEQ 8 subwoofer for four different settings of the crossover. The traces show that the response in ‘Bypass’ mode (black trace) is almost identical to the response with the crossover control set to 100Hz (red trace). In these modes, the Sunfire XTEQ 8’s response was measured as being 30Hz to 140Hz ±3dB. With the crossover set to ‘Normal’ (65Hz), shown by the blue trace, the Sunfire’s response was 28Hz to 95Hz ±3dB. With the crossover set to the minimum position (30Hz) the Sunfire’s response was measured as 27Hz to 100Hz ±3dB. These are all very close to Sunfire’s specification, which claims 22Hz – 100Hz but I can’t say how close because Sunfire doesn’t state whether the two figures in its spec represent 3dB down-points or 6dB down-points (or some other dB level entirely).

Graph 2 shows the results of near-field testing on the XTEQ 8, where the outputs of the driven cone and the auxiliary bass radiator have been measured separately for the same four settings of the crossover control.

All traces show an increase in bass extension over the far-field in-room responses, with the ‘Normal’ trace being –6dB at 20Hz, which shows that optimally positioning the XTEQ 8 in a room will result in greater low frequency extension than shown in Graph 1. The output of the auxiliary bass radiator is fairly peaky, so that it gives maximum output at around 38Hz. Its output rolls off fairly quickly below this frequency, but above it, if you choose higher settings of the crossover control, it delivers appreciable output out to around 70Hz that would help augment the output of the driver.

Overall, the Sunfire XTEQ 8 demonstrated excellent linearity and extension in Newport Test Labs’ tests. 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.