Technics SB-440 (1974–1981)
A passive bookshelf speaker system with a 3-way bass reflex design, produced in Japan during the mid-1970s to late 1970s.
Overview
The Technics SB-440 is a passive loudspeaker system for high-fidelity audio. Technics, a brand of Matsushita/Panasonic, built it in Japan from 1974 to 1981 (some sources: 1974-1980). It is a bookshelf-type 3-way with three separate drivers, and the bass reflex enclosure extends the low-frequency response. It was sold in a wood finish.
Specifications
| Type | 3-Way, 3-Speaker, Bass reflex system, Bookshelf Type |
| Frequency Response | 35 - 20,000 Hz (some sources: 40 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Impedance | 8 Ohm |
| Max Input | 40W (some sources: 50W) |
| Output Sound Pressure Level | 93dB/W/m |
| External Dimensions | Width 358 x Height 595 x Depth 309 mm |
| Weight | 17 kg (some sources: 17.4 kg) |
| Enclosure | Bass Reflex |
| Crossover Frequency | 1500 / 7000 Hz |
| Level Control | For middle and high range |
| Units Used | Low band: 25 cm cone type; Middle range: Horn type; High pass: 6.5 cm cone type |
| Made in | Japan |
| Color | Wood |
Design
The SB-440 is a 3-way system with a multi-seller horn handling the midrange. The woofer is a 25 cm cone type with an EVA edge and a long travel voice coil, which improves linearity at high input levels. A perforated metal grille protects it and also damps the high frequencies. The midrange horn is aluminum die-cast, and the high-frequency section uses a 6.5 cm cone-type tweeter.
Market
A listing on HifiShark in April 2020 showed a system including the SB-440 with an asking price of NZ$1,600 in New Zealand. Used pairs have appeared on Reverb and eBay, including a listing from a seller in Tokyo, Japan.
eBay Listings
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