Полочная акустика — Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5 S2

The Speaker Box 5 S2 is a two-way monitor for shelf or stand use from Pro-Ject Audio Systems, and the maker states that it is handmade in Europe. A 25 mm silk-dome tweeter using neodymium for its magnet is placed above a 130 mm woofer with a fiberglass cone, and both are housed in what Pro-Ject calls an ultra stiff, non resonating MDF enclosure tuned as a bass reflex design. The range of finishes is wide, with eight options - Walnut, Eucalyptus, Satin Black, Satin White, Satin Yellow, Satin Green, Satin Blue and Satin Red.

Key specs that matter

Rated frequency response runs from 55 Hz to 20 kHz. Sensitivity is 88 dB at 1 W and 1 m, and nominal impedance is 8 ohm. Pro-Ject suggests pairing it with amplifiers delivering between 10 and 150 watts. The cabinet is 160 mm wide, 271 mm tall and 215 mm deep, and each unit weighs 4.9 kg. The delivery includes two speakers and two grilles.

Engineering and use context

Its filter network is where this model departs from common practice in small speakers. Instead of mounting parts on a printed circuit board, Pro-Ject uses what it calls an audiophile direct-wired crossover, with components connected point to point and joined with lead-free solder. Internal bracing is described as sophisticated and serves to stiffen the MDF walls. The maker also notes the use of eco-friendly Kleiberit glue in assembly. The front cover is acoustically transparent and held on by magnets, so it can be removed without tools and leaves no mounting holes in the baffle. Because the cabinet is small, the speaker suits desks, shelves and rooms of around 20 m2 where floor space is limited.

Pairing

The easy nominal load and good sensitivity suit most amplifiers, and a unit toward the top of the suggested power band leaves plenty of margin. The gold-plated terminals are single-wired, so bi-wiring or bi-amping is not possible, and one run of cable per speaker is all that is needed. Whichever of the eight cabinet finishes is ordered, the two grilles supplied in the box are black, which matters most with the lighter satin colours and the Eucalyptus veneer.

Alternatives

Pro-Ject also makes the Speaker Box 5 E Carbon, which uses a 5 inch woofer of fibre glass and carbon composite and vents its reflex port to the rear.