Stereophile spec measurement baffling(pun?)

Maybe this will help see here

Mike

Thanks ditusa. This looks like a great read.

@OP, the 805 matrix has a bit of a bump between 100 and 120Hz and falls off fairly rapidly below 80Hz so you probably want to cross it over somewhere around or below 80Hz. Ideally, use a set of bass test tones and an spl meter to check the frequency response of the speakers in your room first though, as the above is only a guide based on the room averaged response that Stereophile measured.

The anechoic -6dB point is useful to know when considering what LF the speaker will offer in your room when the effect of room gain is added.  Sometimes, companies will offer low end response in a "typical" room but without stating the room dimensions.  

See: https://www.svsound.com/blogs/subwoofer-setup-and-tuning/what-is-subwoofer-room-gain?

At best it can tell you how much air the speaker can move. Audiophiles rely on this spec way too much IMHO, especially when deciding whether or not to add a subwoofer and how to configure one. The room makes liars out of all of the anechoic/quasi-anechoic bass measurements.

IMHO, measuring dynamic compression is of more value for most of us, and the one publication that used to do it (SoundStage) I believe stopped publishing these measurements.

There’s no substitute for listening, and measuring in the room.