Plasma Displays

Subwoofer: SB-WA101
Connections: Line-level input
Enclosure Type: Vented
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6.75, cone
Power Rating (watts): 100
Crossover Bypass: No
Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 18 x 6.41 x 16.56
Weight (pounds): 23.8
Price: $1,700 for system

Speaker: SB-FS100
Type: Three-way, tower
Super Tweeter (size in inches, type): 0.5, dome
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, semi-dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 3.125, cone (2)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 6
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 100 Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 46.59 x 11.66 x 10.44 (with stand)
Weight (pounds): 18.1 (with stand)
Price: $1,700 for system

Speaker: SB-PC100
Type: Three-way, center
Super Tweeter (size in inches, type): N/A
Tweeter (size in inches, type):1, semi-dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 2, cone (4)
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 6
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 100
Available Finishes: Silver
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 2.625 x 17.03 x 4.16 (with stand)
Weight (pounds): 4
Price: $1,700 for system

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Ratings: Panasonic SB-TP100 Speaker System and SH-FX60 Wireless Transmitter

Build Quality: 87
Small speaker terminals only accept high-gauge, thin wire

Value: 84
Can find better performance for less money elsewhere

Features: 92
Wall-mounting brackets and speaker stands included

Performance: 86
Center channel limits overall performance

Ergonomics: 91
Easy stand assembly and wireless setup

Overall Rating: 87
The SB-TP100 offers solid dynamics, crisp high frequencies, and controlled bass, but it's lean in the lower-midrange and deep-bass regions.

General Information
SB-TP100 Speaker System, $1,700;
SH-FX60 Wireless Transmitter, $150
Panasonic
(800) 211-PANA
www.panasonic.com

HT Labs Measures: Panasonic SB-TP100 Speaker System and SH-FX60 Wireless Transmitter

Satellite Sensitivity: 83 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

Center Sensitivity: 82 dB from 500 Hz to 2 kHz

This graph shows the quasi-anechoic (employing close-miking of all woofers) frequency response of the SB-FS100 satellites (purple trace), SB-WA101 subwoofer (blue trace), and SB-PC100 center channel (green trace). All passive loudspeakers were measured with grilles at a distance of 1 meter with a 2.83-volt input and scaled for display purposes.

The SB-FS100's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +2.29/–3.37 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 131 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 120 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 6.47 ohms at 20 kHz and a phase angle of –60.62 degrees at 98 Hz.

The SB-PC100's listening-window response measures +3.26/–0.48 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. An average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal responses measures +3.26/–0.85 dB from 200 Hz to 10 kHz. The –3-dB point is at 150 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 136 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 7.20 ohms at 12.1 kHz and a phase angle of –53.00 degrees at 3.7 kHz.

The SB-WA101's close-miked response, normalized to the level at 80 Hz, indicates that the lower –3-dB point is at 41 Hz and the –6-dB point is at 37 Hz. The upper –3-dB point is at 162 Hz with the low-pass filter control set to maximum.—MJP