Usually made from fabric. Compact, widely used and capable of broad dispersion.
Loudspeakers and rooms
Where the system meets the room
A practical guide to sensitivity, impedance, placement and the way speakers interact with the space around them.
On this page
The final link
From electricity to movement
A loudspeaker receives an electrical signal from the amplifier and turns it into movement in the air. The cabinet, drivers and crossover work together—but the room and listening position complete the system.
01AmplifierSends a changing electrical signal
02DriversMove forward and backward
03AirCarries pressure changes into the room
04YouHear the direct sound plus the room
How loudly it plays for a given input
Sensitivity
Sensitivity describes the sound-pressure level a speaker produces under a stated test condition, commonly measured at one metre. A higher number generally means less amplifier power is required for the same listening level.
85 dB100 W
88 dB50 W
91 dB25 W
Illustrative comparison: every 3 dB increase in sensitivity needs about half the amplifier power to reach the same level, when the ratings use the same measurement method.
Read the fine print
Some ratings use 1 watt at 1 metre; others use 2.83 volts at 1 metre. At 8 ohms, 2.83 V equals 1 W. At 4 ohms, it equals about 2 W—so the numbers are not always directly comparable.
The electrical load
Impedance is a curve, not one number
The nominal impedance on a specification sheet is a useful shorthand. In use, impedance changes with frequency, and some speakers demand more current from an amplifier than their nominal rating suggests.
The curve below is illustrative, not a measurement of a particular speaker. Lower points mean a greater current demand at that frequency for the same voltage.
Nominal ratingThe simple headline
Useful for a first compatibility check.
Minimum impedanceThe harder momentLower dips ask the amplifier for more current.
Electrical phasePart of the real loadImpedance and phase together help reveal how demanding a speaker may be.
Illustrative curve, not a measurement of a particular speaker.
Reproducing the highest frequencies
A few common tweeter types
Tweeters reproduce the upper range of music. Their design can affect sensitivity, dispersion and how a speaker interacts with the room, but the tweeter type alone does not tell you whether a speaker will sound bright, smooth or detailed.
Often aluminum, titanium or magnesium. Light and rigid, but not automatically bright sounding.
These are different designs. A ribbon uses a thin conducting strip that moves in a magnetic field. An air motion transformer (AMT) uses a pleated diaphragm that squeezes air as its folds move. Dispersion depends on the design.
Uses a horn or waveguide to improve efficiency and control how sound spreads into the room.
Implementation matters most. The driver, crossover, cabinet and overall design work as a system. Listen to the complete speaker rather than choosing by tweeter material alone.
Extending the lowest frequencies
Adding a subwoofer
A subwoofer handles the deepest bass, adding weight and scale that smaller speakers may not reproduce on their own. The goal is not simply more bass. A well-integrated subwoofer should feel like a natural extension of the main speakers. Adding one does not automatically remove bass from the main speakers; that requires a high-pass filter or bass management. With a typical REL high-level connection, the main speakers continue to play full-range.
Sets where the subwoofer begins to support the main speakers. Use the manufacturer’s starting guidance, then adjust against your main speakers until the hand-off sounds seamless.
Use enough output to restore depth and scale without drawing attention to the subwoofer itself.
These affect how bass combines at the listening position. Small changes can smooth peaks and fill dips.
The largest component in the system
The room joins the performance
Walls, floor, ceiling and furnishings reflect sound. Bass behaves differently from midrange and treble, so placement changes tonal balance, imaging and clarity rather than simply changing volume.
Boundaries
Moving a speaker closer to a wall often increases bass output. Corners usually reinforce it further.
Reflections
Early reflections can blur imaging and change tonal balance. Distance and toe-in alter their timing and level.
Listening distance
As you sit farther away, the room contributes more. Speaker spacing and distance should work together.
Room size alone does not dictate speaker size. Listening distance, desired level, bass extension and placement flexibility matter just as much.
A sensible starting point
Place first, then fine-tune
- 01Begin symmetrically
Give the left and right speakers similar surroundings where possible.
- 02Form a useful triangle
Start with speaker spacing close to the listening distance, then adjust by ear.
- 03Move in meaningful steps
Change distance from the front wall, toe-in or listening position one variable at a time.
- 04Listen to familiar music
Check voice focus, bass evenness, image width and whether the sound remains relaxed.
Choosing with intention
Questions worth answering first
01How far will you sit from the speakers?
02How loudly do you like to listen to your music?
03How much flexibility do you have in your room to position your speakers?
04What amplifier will you use with them?
05Which matters most to you: compact size, deeper bass or easier placement?
The best match is heard in context