The Parts Express C-Note ranks #27 out of 87 total Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See all Passive Home rankings for every top pick.
Brand: Parts Express
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#27 Parts Express C-Note: $100 per pair Parts Express eBay
Pros: CEA2034 spinorama shows a reasonably flat response in the critical midrange with good directivity control near the crossover point, courtesy of a waveguide-integrated tweeter. High power handling let it play very loud in a large room with no sign of bottoming out - unusual for a $100 pair. The MDF cabinet felt stout in hand despite the unfinished, DIY flat-pack construction. Measured bass extension of 90Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 83dB.
Cons: Reduced bass output and a resonance peak around 700Hz both show up clearly in the measurements; worst-case distortion above 1kHz sits about 40dB below listening level. Ships as unfinished MDF flat-pack cabinets, requiring assembly and finishing (gluing, painting or veneering) before use.
How it compares: Just above it: KEF Q150 - $190 more, 2Hz higher bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: Wharfedale Diamond 220 - $139 more, 3.9Hz higher bass extension (-3dB).
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 90Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - the reviewer explicitly flagged this measurement as unreliable below 70Hz, so no -10dB figure is given |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 11H x 7.5W x 9.5D in (unfinished MDF flat-pack) |
| Drivers | Dayton Audio DSA135-8 5" woofer, Dayton ND25FW-4 1" soft dome tweeter (waveguide-loaded) |
| Frequency Response | 43Hz - 20kHz +/-3dB (Manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms |
| Power Handling | 60W RMS / 120W max |
| Sensitivity | 83dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Weight | not published (DIY kit) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
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