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The Snell Type C IV is a large, ported (bass-reflex) floorstanding loudspeaker system engineered as a four-driver design with an emphasis on very flat on- and off-axis response, wide dispersion, and smooth power response. It uses a 10" woofer, 5" cone midrange, 1" metal-dome front tweeter, and a 3/4" rear-firing dome tweeter that can be switched off via a rear panel toggle for room-dependent tuning. The system employs fourth-order (24dB/octave) crossover slopes with crossover frequencies at 275Hz and 2.7kHz between woofer-mid and mid-front tweeter, while the rear tweeter is gently introduced around 6kHz with a first-order slope to compensate for the front tweeter's increasing directionality at high frequencies and to enhance soundstage width and depth. The enclosure measures 46" H x 14.5" W x 11.75" D, is raised on a 1" base with supplied spikes, and was offered in matched-grain, hand-sanded and oiled oak or walnut veneers, or black veneer, with a "Zero Diffraction" removable grille that wraps the frame around the baffle to minimize diffraction effects. Sensitivity is specified at 88.5dB (1W/1m, anechoic) with a nominal 8-ohm impedance, presenting a generally benign load, and the speaker is rated as suitable for amplifiers from 20W to 250W per channel. Originally introduced in the early 1980s and sold at $2190/pair in the early 1990s, the Type C IV is no longer in production but remains known for neutral tonal balance, extended yet natural bass from a low-tuned vented alignment, and a spacious, open treble presentation when given adequate space from room boundaries.
Driver and acoustic performance characteristics
Driver configuration and enclosure design
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The RM25XL's sensitivity is 88 dB against the Type C IV's 88.5 dB and its low-frequency extension 32 Hz against 34 Hz. Both share impedance (8Ω) and ways (2).
The 7B's sensitivity is 86 dB against the Type C IV's 88.5 dB, its impedance 6Ω against 8Ω, and its low-frequency extension 35 Hz against 34 Hz. Both share high-frequency extension (22 kHz).
The Matrix 803's sensitivity is 90 dB against the Type C IV's 88.5 dB. Both share impedance (8Ω), high-frequency extension (22 kHz), and ways (2).
The Prestige 85F's sensitivity is 93 dB against the Type C IV's 88.5 dB, its low-frequency extension 29 Hz against 34 Hz, and its high-frequency extension 20 kHz against 22 kHz. Both share impedance (8Ω).
Aerial Acoustics 8
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