Description
Technics Linear Phase Speakers SB-F1. Some official blurb “ In 1979, Technics launched a range of compact loudspeakers, the smallest of which (the 180x150x150mm SB-F1) was a perfect partner for the SL-10 turntable. Not only was it a visual match, but displayed the same exemplary (some would say breathtaking) constructional standards, the same excellent sonics and a suitably stiff price tag too. At £220 per pair, it was virtually as expensive as Linn’s high end LP12 turntable (which retailed for £256). The series also comprised the £300 SB-F2 (200x150x180mm) and £360 SB-F3 (230x170x170mm). The most striking thing about the SB-F1 is its size – or lack thereof: it makes a Linn Kan look like a KEF 105. Next, you notice the clean styling – which looks as fresh on 2005 as it did twenty five years earlier. Then, when you pick it up and hold the base in the palm of your hand, you realise that it’s something different – like the British winter, it’s cold and heavy. Yup, the SB-F1 is made of cast aluminium alloy, and a lot of it! The speaker uses a clever clamshell construction. The front and rear sections are pulled together, under tension, by a single central bolt with a Philips screw head. Unscrew this and the SB-F1 comes apart, to reveal the fact that the cabinet walls are super thick (hence the weight) and rigid. Inside is a tiny 100mm paper woofer, wired to a quite complex crossover sporting high quality passive components, and a 25mm paper cone tweeter – both bolted rigidly to the inside of the front clamshell. The use of lightweight paper drivers (Audionote AN-E owners know this) ensures a surprisingly high 86dB/m sensitivity figure, which is amazingly high for a sealed, infinite baffle design with next to no air inside the cabinet! Of course, high power transistor amplifiers only need apply… A 40W RMS maximum output power is specified, and there’s a crossover protection circuit reset button on the back of the speakers for when the inevitable comes – proof that these babies were designed for pro (near field monitoring) use too. Sound is superb – for the size. You’ll not be knocked back by their physical presence in the room, believe me, but they’re a surprisingly commanding listen and musically articulate like few others. Indeed, you could think of them as a Japanese Linn Kan I. Brilliantly fast and engaging, they make music bounce like few others. Don’t expect a beautifully svelte and smooth sound though; they’re not the last word in refinement – the AR18S is a good yardstick… These days, you’ll not find too many around; they weren’t exactly a runaway sales success, but they’re well worth investigating for a second system; price is what you pay for them. A mint boxed pair should command several hundred pounds, while dog-eared examples would probably go for one tenth of that. Still, procure a decent pair and you’ll be a firm believer in that old adage, ‘less is more’!” Lovely pair of speakers ….. Really good condition in my opinion. We’re originally hung, minimal use, as the description said they really do sound great for their size. Will be bullet proof packaged when sent out . Many thanks for looking.
Live search