The LCR950 is a compact front-channel loudspeaker from M&K Sound, also known as Miller & Kreisel, and part of the 950 Series certified to the THX Select2 standard. M&K states that it uses exactly the same driver and crossover components as its active professional studio monitors and its S150 Series. It can serve as a left, right or centre speaker in a stereo or surround system, and the range also includes the MP950 on-wall model and, per M&K, the 950F floorstander and SUR95T Tripole surround. M&K describes the 950 range as offering a compact or floorstanding configuration with ideal tripole surround dispersion.
Key specs that matter
Two 5.25 inch polypropylene bass-midrange drivers are joined by a 1 inch soft fabric dome tweeter that sits in a waveguide. The frequency response is 80 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB, and sensitivity is 90 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m. Impedance is 4 ohm, and M&K recommends amplifier power between 25 and 400 W. The cabinet measures 406 x 175 x 188 mm (height, width, depth) and weighs 6.9 kg. Black satin is the single finish on offer.
Engineering and use context
According to M&K, the dual bass-midrange drivers were designed for extended dynamic range and low compression at moderate to high levels. The tweeter was first developed for the latest versions of the company's professional studio monitors and is built for high power handling with minimal dynamic compression. The two stages are joined by the exclusive M&K Phase Focused crossover, developed with time domain, frequency domain and Points-In-Space analysis. Every 950 model uses identical woofers so that satellites and surrounds are voice-matched. THX Select2 certification covers flat on-axis frequency response, wide and even horizontal dispersion and consistent coverage of a large listening area, and the standard targets rooms of up to about 57 m3. Heavy curved metal grilles are held by magnets hidden in the front baffle, a design M&K uses to avoid the buzz or rattle of lightweight plug-in fronts.
Pairing
M&K states that all 950 loudspeakers are designed for use with a subwoofer, and the whole series was developed as one system to work with any M&K subwoofer. Bass under the speaker's own range is handed to the sub through the processor or receiver crossover. The low nominal impedance should sit within the rated range of the chosen amplifier or receiver.
Alternatives
The M&K LCR750 is a front speaker from the 750 Series with coated glass fibre woofers, a silk dome tweeter and a sealed enclosure.