HiFi Test: Technics SB-G90 Speakers

The voice coil is substantially shorter than the permanent magnet's surrounding gap. This ensures that the coil oscillates completely and evenly in the magnetic field at all times, even while under heavy loads, reducing distortion.

Let Frank Balzuweit, Technics' product manager, explain: "The cone system for the mid/high range has the flattest possible membrane cut so that discoloration due to the cavity is negligible. Furthermore, the distance between the little tweeter horn attachment and the cone aluminum membrane for the midrange speaker is extremely small, so discoloration is not an issue. […] This chassis also provides us with prospects for future loudspeaker innovations, which are not yet concrete."

Behind the visible baffles are parallel "bottom walls" to which the three chassis are screwed - and this is the true highlight in addition to the substantially increased housing stability.

The Benefits of Balanced Driver Mounting Architecture The preceding construction is self-evident: The drivers are supported exactly where their center of gravity lies, notably at the heavyweight drives, resulting in lower cabinet resonances and, as a result, fewer acoustic distortions.

In fact, the Balanced Driver Mounting Architecture is not visible from the outside; only when the chassis-enclosing coverings are removed can you notice that the four holes that appear would have to be "drilled" a bit deeper with a screwdriver to access the fastening screws.

In all of this, the carpentry team spared no effort in providing dedicated chambers for each driver and the bottom-side crossover (crossover frequencies: 480 Hz and 3.2 kHz, slope gradients between 12 and 24 dB per octave), which not only benefits housing stability but also reduces direct mutual influences between the units inside the loudspeaker.

Finally, if you place the Technics SB-G90 in your living room, you can expect a piece of furniture that conveys value down to the smallest detail.

The remarkable coherence, even catchiness, of the mid-high range, which sounds as if it were cast in one piece, may be one cause for the emotionality that exudes from the Japanese. The Technics even conjure associations with well-made broadband solutions in this regard.

Quality, timing, and speed are all in the green on the bass side, but the best values are not established as they are in the mid-high range. In other words, the Technics SB-bass G90's section is not clearly lagging behind - the upper and lower registers are not incoherent - but it is also not trained to give razor-sharp and "straight to the point" impulses.

You believe you can hear the bass reflex system. It goes without saying that the bass qualities of the Technics are pretty visible in the A/B comparison with Sehring 903, which is three times the price (the current version is blessed with extremely clear bass sound anyway).

High-frequency details may not appear to be as precisely framed and hence less three-dimensional as they could be, but the Technics SB-G90 provides a sound pattern that opens up nicely in its entirety, with the instruments and voices physically projected into space.

The coax cliché really works in the case of the SB-G90, ensuring that the much-vaunted - sorry for the clumsy word, but here's the correct word - "live sensation" is maintained. Clearly, another pound with which the Technics may expand tremendously - particularly in their pricing bracket.

Amplifiers that are neutral and regulated in the bass, such as the Technics SU-G700, and a certain listening room size are among the general criteria that should not be withheld from the Technics SB-G90.

Because the SB-G90 goes deep on the bass side and also offers an extra pound in the bass, albeit rather narrow-banded (upper bass and fundamental tone are left out), which essentially only emphasizes their playful appearance, but a wall-mounted installation and rooms under 25 square meters are less promising: Larger rooms should be no problem with the SB-G90.

The mid-high range's catchiness and coherence are undeniably high-end, which would do much more expensive loudspeakers justice - flanked by a more energetic dynamic behavior.

Overall, the Technics SB-G90 is a solid recommendation for listeners who are less interested in nitpicking, soberly reporting studio monitoring (although the Technics SB-G90 does not provide any fundamental escapades in this regard) and more interested in uncomplicated and playful, in a positive sense, " captivating" sound patterns that leave nothing to be desired in terms of long-term suitability.

• Model: Technics SB-G90
• Concept: Three-way floor-standing speaker (bass reflex) with coaxial driver
• Price: 3,998* dollars (pair)
• Dimensions & Weight: 302 x 1114 x 375 mm (W x H x D); 32kg/pcs
• Efficiency: 88 dB / 2.83 V (m)
• Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
• Colours: high-gloss black lacquer
• Accessories: front cover, spikes, spike plate, and rubber feet
• Guarantee: 2 years

Post by - Bryan C.