Напольная акустика — Westlake BBSM-15F

The BBSM-15F is a large main monitor in the BBSM series of passive studio monitors made by Westlake Audio in Thousand Oaks, California, a range that also covers the BBSM-4 near-field, the BBSM-10 and the BBSM-12. It is a three-way design that pairs cone drivers in the bass and midrange with a horn-loaded tweeter built for high sound pressure levels, and Westlake specifies it for low intermodulation distortion and linear behaviour at those levels. The company offers it with an upgraded woofer option and with grilles that can be removed.

Key specs that matter

The low end is handled by a pair of 15-inch woofers, a single 10-inch cone covers the midrange, and a 1-inch driver on a horn takes the top octaves. The network divides the bands at 350 Hz and 1.6 kHz. Westlake quotes 38 Hz to 20 kHz at plus or minus 3 dB and a sensitivity of 98 dB for 2.83 V at 1 m. Nominal impedance is 4 ohm, with a minimum of 2 ohm. Under the IEC method the power ratings are 200 W short-term and 600 W long-term. Outside dimensions are 69.2 x 104 x 63.5 cm, height by width by depth, and one cabinet weighs about 170 kg. The only finish offered is walnut, backed by a one-year warranty.

Engineering and use context

A dedicated 10-inch midrange cone lets the woofers hand over low, while the horn allows the small tweeter to take over at a point that is low for a 1-inch device. Being much wider than it is tall, the enclosure is laid out horizontally, the usual format for a main control room monitor mounted in or against the front wall rather than a freestanding tower. Signal enters through a heavy-duty barrier strip instead of binding posts, so bare cable of large cross-section or crimped spades are the practical terminations. The removable grilles let the owner leave the drivers covered or open depending on the installation.

Pairing

With the load dipping so low, Westlake asks for amplification that copes with low impedance without its protection limiting the output, and it names passive bi-amping as its preferred way to drive speakers of this type. The high sensitivity means a given level needs less amplifier power than with the BBSM-12, yet the power handling still leaves room for large studio power amplifiers. The manufacturer adds that short peaks of two to three times the continuous rating can be absorbed, but it asks owners never to drive the amplifier into clipping.

Alternatives

The Westlake BBSM-12 is the smaller BBSM three-way, with two 12-inch woofers and a 6.5-inch midrange in a cabinet 48.3 cm high.