The Chesky LC1 ranks #149 out of 157 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
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#149 Chesky LC1: $1,000 per pair Discontinued eBay
Pros: Premium build details: silver-soldered crossover with film capacitors, dual inertially-balanced 8” passive radiators, and a multi-layer, non-resonant cabinet construction. Wide horizontal radiation of about ±60-70° through the midrange, in the reviewer’s preferred range. Extremely easy to drive electrically (minimum impedance about 8.4 ohms, minimum EPDR 5.4 ohms). Distortion shows good separation between second- and third-order harmonics at both 86dB and 96dB. The reviewer took the unusual step of verifying his measurements weren’t due to a defective unit: he impedance-swept both speakers, then corresponded directly with the manufacturer, whose own measurements matched his, confirming the sound reflects the actual product design. Measured bass extension of 71Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 81.4dB.
Cons: Overall tonal balance sounded dull, hollow, and unengaging in extensive listening, with recessed vocals (both male and female) and minimal bass: the reviewer independently confirmed the same impressions auditioning the speakers at an audio show, ruling out a fluke with his own pair. Essentially no meaningful bass below about 90-100Hz in-room (F3 71Hz, F10 49Hz), well short of the 50Hz frequency-response spec, and measured sensitivity (about 81.4dB) runs well below the 86dB claimed. A pattern of peaks and dips across the spectrum, rather than a simple tilt, makes different instruments sound inconsistent depending on what frequency range they occupy: an unusually difficult profile to characterize or EQ around. Center-image focus never locked in properly regardless of listening position: traced to a measurable mismatch between the two individual speaker samples’ on-axis response, an unusual quality-control issue for a simple dome-tweeter design. A cancellation/lobing region just below the tweeter axis, likely from shallow first-order crossover slopes and some crossover-region overlap, means listening position needs to stay right at or slightly above tweeter level. Elevated multitone distortion in a region tied to a cone-edge/surround resonance (a known issue across several driver brands), only marginally improved by adding a subwoofer. Sample-to-sample driver measurements showed real inconsistency between the two review units’ tweeters and midwoofers. A cosmetic gap around the tweeter’s flush-mount cutout suggests room for tighter fit-and-finish. Discontinued.
How it compares: Just above it: Dayton Audio MK602X - $851 cheaper, 3.6Hz higher bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: HSU Research CCB-8 - $301 cheaper, 9Hz higher bass extension (-3dB).
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 49Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 71Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10”H x 8”W x 10”D (254.0 x 203.2 x 254.0 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (8.4 ohms minimum, measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 81.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.21 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.87 |
| Weight | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | passive radiator |
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