Dayton Audio brings the high-value design formula of the B652-AIR speakers to a tower form factor in the T652-AIR floor-standing tower speakers. Dual 6-1/2' woofers and an AMT tweeter deliver sound with power, clarity, and bass punch.
Back in 2010 I reported that the Dayton B652 speakers set a new sound quality benchmark for budget speakers, under $50 per pair. The B652 quickly became my go-to choice for wannabe audiophiles or anyone seeking the best-sounding speakers for the lowest possible price.
So when I heard Dayton was about to release a new version of the speaker, the B652-AIR, I immediately requested a pair. In fit and finish it's similar to the original B652: the lightweight medium-density fiberboard cabinet is finished in matte black vinyl, and there's a removable black cloth grille. As cheap speakers go the B652-AIR is a looker. It's a sealed (non-ported) speaker, so it's a bit less sensitive to the ill effects of placement near walls or corners. Spring-clip speaker wire connectors are located on the rear panel.
This bookshelf speaker measures 11.8 inches high (299mm), and it has a 6.5-inch (165mm) polypropylene woofer -- that's a good deal larger than you'll find in most budget speakers. And instead of a dome tweeter, the B652-AIR boasts a high-tech air motion transformer tweeter. This flat, 1-inch (24.4mm) square tweeter promises clearer, lower-distortion sound than dome tweeters can manage. The speaker's impedance is rated at 6 ohms, so the B652-AIR is compatible with receivers that support 4- to 8-ohm speakers. The B652-AIR doesn't replace the B652, the two models will coexist in the Dayton lineup.
What does it sound like? Clear and clean, with no obvious raw edges or harshness, and certainly not like a cheap speaker. I used my inexpensive Emotiva Mini-X a-100 integrated amplifier (2 x 60 watts) for all of my listening tests. The B652-AIR's dynamic punch is remarkable, and the sound is nicely balanced, not overly bassy or bright. In my large room bass went down to around 65Hz, which is decent enough for a speaker of this size. If you crave deeper bass buy bigger speakers, or add one of Dayton Audio's budget subwoofers.
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Next, I pulled out my original B652s, which I haven't played for a while, so I wasn't really sure what to expect from them. Switching back and forth between the two speakers nothing immediately jumped out about the B652-AIR's sound; it didn't stomp on the original B652. The new speaker isn't brighter or tonally different than the B652. Still, recordings with a lot of drums and percussion did sound clearer over the B652-AIR. Not by a huge amount, but the difference was there.
Rocking out with Nine Inch Nails' 'Hesitation Marks' album, the sound of each instrument was more distinct. Is the B652-AIR worth paying a little extra for? I'd vote yes, but the original B652 isn't going away, it will remain in production.
My admiration for the B652-AIR is based on its sound quality given that it's a very inexpensive speaker. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR bookshelf speaker is better in every way -- bass, dynamics, clarity, treble -- you name it, but it's roughly double the price of the B652-AIR. Both B652 models can play fairly loud, but sound best at softer, more moderate volumes; the SP-BS22 handles volume better. If you can afford the difference go for the SP-BS22-LR.
The B652-AIR's US price is $59.80 per pair; the B652-AIR will be available in the UK and Australia soon, but prices have yet to be finalized. The original B652 will remain in the line: the current US price is $39.80 per pair, which converts to about £25 or AU$45.
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- Small size, profound performance
- Black ebony pica vinyl cabinet finish
- Removable grill
- Excellent clarity and detail
- Air Motion Transformer tweeter provides non-fatiguing, audiophile-level treble clarity
- 6-1/2' woofer produces rich, punchy bass
- Compact, unobtrusive design with exceptional performance and value
- Black ebony pica vinyl cabinet finish for a clean, modern appearance
- Removable acoustically transparent cloth grill
Tweeters produce the highest frequencies in sound, typically anything above 2,000 Hz. Usually located at the top of the speaker, tweeters come in different shapes (detailed below) and sizes. Generally speaking, the size of the tweeter is not as important as the shape. But, for some guidance, consider that a larger tweeter (measured by diameter in inches or millimeters) will likely be louder and able to disperse sound over a larger area.
Speakers with midrange drivers (i.e., at least three-way speakers) have a distinct advantage over two-way speakers. Adding a midrange driver to the mix allows tweeters and woofers to focus on the sound waves they’re best equipped to produce—high tones and low tones respectively. More specific and focused drivers means more accurate, robust sound. Compared to the other drivers, midranges cover sounds, not surprisingly, in the middle of high/treble and low/bass tones. The human voice and most instruments fall into this range. For more sophisticated listeners, or for those who truly want the best sound reproduction, a midrange driver is crucial.
The woofer is the driver that is responsible for low frequency sounds and bass - crucial for well-rounded, booming sound. It is the biggest driver in size, and is usually shaped like a cone. When reviewing different bookshelf speakers, you will often see a measurement in the product name, starting as low as 4” and ranging to 6 ½” or more. This measurement refers to the diameter of the woofer. A general rule of thumb is a bigger woofer means louder, more powerful bass. But, as with any speaker metric, this number alone doesn’t describe the loudness of the speaker and should be taken into consideration with other measurements such as sensitivity, which describes the loudness of a speaker per watt.
- Quick connect push terminal
- Speaker cables
- Design of ebony pica vinyl finish.
- Compatible with amplifiers that support 8 Ohm speakers
- Two-way bookshelf speakers perfect for different living areas.
- Quick-connect speaker terminals with keyhole hanger.
- Small size with intense performance.
Dayton Audio B652 are a very popular option at the bottom of the price range. They're in the top 3 bestselling speakers and have dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Pyle 4' Mini Cube or Dayton Audio B452 .
Dayton Audio B652 were released in 2009. There are dozens of newer speakers on the market. Show newer Speakers
Dayton Audio B652 are $169.11 cheaper than the average speakers ($199.99).
Key features- Air Motion Transformer tweeter
- 6-1/2' woofer
- Compact, unobtrusive design
- Exceptional performance and value
- Black ebony pica vinyl cabinet finish f
- Removable acoustically transparent cloth grill
- 11 lbs
Dayton Audio B652 AIR are a very popular and one of the cheapest options. They're in the top 3 bestselling speakers and have dozens of popular alternatives in the same price range, such as Micca PB42X or Micca MB42 .
Dayton Audio B652 AIR were released in 2014. There are a lot of newer speakers on the market. Show newer Speakers
Dayton Audio B652 AIR are $149.11 less expensive than average speakers ($199.99).