Note: The two components were tested together, with all measurements taken from the Model 7075 amplifier's speaker outputs.
DOLBY DIGITAL PERFORMANCE
All data were obtained using various test DVDs with 16-bit dithered test signals (except where noted otherwise), which set limits on measured distortion and noise performance. Reference input level is -20 dBFS, and reference output is 1 watt (0 dBW) into 8 ohms. Volume setting for reference level was -3. All level trims were set at zero except in subwoofer-related tests; all speakers were set to "large," subwoofer on. All figures are worst-case where applicable.
Output at clipping (1 kHz into 8/4 ohms)
1 channel driven: 102/163 W (20.1/22.1 dBW)
5 channels driven (8 ohms): 92 W (19.6 dBW)
6 channels driven (8 ohms): 86 W (19.3 dBW)
Distortion at 1 watt (THD+N, 1 kHz) 8/4 ohms: 0.03/0.04%
Noise level (A-wtd): -73.7 dB
Excess noise (with sine tone) 16-bit (EN16): +1.5 dB
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -1.5 dB
MULTICHANNEL PERFORMANCE, ANALOG INPUT
Reference input and output level is 200 mV; volume setting for reference output level was -18.
Distortion (THD+N, 1 kHz, 8 ohms): 0.02%
Noise level (A-wtd): -87.7 dB
Frequency response: <10 Hz to 89 kHz +0, -3 dB (DSP bass management not engaged)
STEREO PERFORMANCE, DIGITAL INPUT
Reference level is -20 dBFS; all level trims at zero. Volume setting for reference level was -2.5.
Output at clipping (1 kHz, 8/4 ohms, both channels driven): 99/155 W (20/21.9 dBW)
Distortion at reference level: 0.04%
Linearity error (at -90 dBFS): 0.05 dB
Noise level (A-wtd): -73.9 dB
with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: -79.9 dB
Excess noise (with/without sine tone)
16-bit (EN16): 3.5/3.75 dB
quasi-20-bit (EN20): 20.5/20.5 dB
Noise modulation: 0.1 dB
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz +0, -1.8 dB
with 96-kHz/24-bit signals: 20 Hz to 22 kHz +0, -3 dB (DSP bass management engaged)
BASS-MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE
Measured results obtained with Dolby Digital test signals.
Subwoofer-output frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 24 dB/octave above -6-dB rolloff point of 81 Hz
High-pass-filter frequency response (crossover set to 80 Hz): 12 dB/octave below -3-dB rolloff point of 80 Hz
Maximum unclipped subwoofer output (trim at 0): 7.3 volts
Subwoofer output distortion (from 6-channel, 30-Hz, 0-dBFS signal; subwoofer trim set to 0): 13%*
Crossover consistency: Bass crossover frequency and slope varied somewhat for multichannel-analog inputs (see Notes).
Signal-format consistency: Consistent for all applicable formats; choice of analog filtering or DSP bass management for multichannel analog signals.
Speaker size selection: All channels can be set to "small."
Speaker-distance compensation: Available for all main channels.
*Notes
The Outlaw Audio duo delivered strong performance in most regards, with 5- and 6-channel power equal to or better than that of many A/V receivers I've tested that were spec'd at 100 to 140 watts per channel.. D/A linearity was excellent, and in general, noise levels were only a couple of dB shy of the ideal. Subwoofer output showed high distortion in our 6-channel, 0-dBFS 30-Hz test, but I make three observations: The chance of this 6-channel-full-scale signal ever occurring "in nature" is exceedingly small; the character of the distortion observed was such that most products would be well outside of the passband (say, 100 Hz and above) and thus irrelevant; and the sub output from 1- and 2-channel signals was just fine. Lastly, the Model 970's simple analog-domain filtering for its multichannel inputs yielded a measured crossover point closer to 110 or 120 Hz than the specified 80 Hz - a small matter indeed.
