Description
The SX60 is the senior representative of the SX series from Cambridge Audio, designed for those who have outgrown the SX50, but are not yet ready to switch to floorstanding speakers. These are bookshelf speakers that deliberately break the usual ideas about the possibilities of this format: combining the flexibility of the classic "bookshelf" model with the scale of sound inherent in floorstander acoustics, the SX60 find the perfect balance for those who have limited space, but do not want to sacrifice power. This is the embodiment of the company's philosophy of "Great British Sound" - confident, full-range sound without unnecessary embellishments.
At the heart of the SX60 is a 165mm (6.5") woofer made of impregnated paper cellulose material, noticeably larger than that found in standard bookshelf models in this class. The lightweight yet rigid cone effectively "pumps" air, providing deep, body-felt bass, while being fast enough to accurately transmit transients. The speakers reach 41Hz in the lower register - a figure usually associated with floor-standing speakers rather than bookshelf speakers. The woofer is accompanied by a 25mm (1") silk dome tweeter: unlike metal domes, which sometimes sound harsh, silk gives a soft, natural delivery of high frequencies, and a separate foam damper behind the diaphragm eliminates internal reflections, leaving the soundstage clean and transparent - from the sparkle of cymbals to the quietest breath of vocals.
As with the entire SX line, the SX60 cabinet design has undergone careful computer modeling (CAD) to minimize unwanted resonances - the rigid MDF cabinet remains "silent" while the speakers play. The front-mounted bass reflex, located directly under the woofer, amplifies low frequencies and at the same time gives greater flexibility in placement: unlike models with a rear port, the SX60 can be placed closer to the wall without the risk of "mumbling" bass.
The SX60 feels equally good on stands or on a pedestal - the company deliberately left the choice to the listener. The recommended amplifier power range is 20-100 watts at an impedance of 8 ohms, and the sensitivity of 89 dB makes the speakers easy to drive both budget integrated amplifiers and more serious separate equipment. The robust terminals on the rear panel accept both thick speaker cables and banana plugs, and the included grilles protect the speakers or can be removed to reveal the series' understated, functional design.