Sound Artist SC65B Review: A Concentric Driver Speaker Built for Imaging

Introduction

The Sound Artist SC65B is a concentric driver bookshelf speaker that mounts a 1 inch aluminum dome tweeter inside a metal horn at the centre of a 6.5 inch wood pulp woofer. Sound Artist rates the speaker from 38 Hz to 20,000 Hz, with an 8 ohm impedance and 90 dB sensitivity, which makes it an easy load for modest amplifiers and for tube gear.

At around $500, the SC65B is finished in piano black and fitted with two large front ports and a single set of five-way binding posts. The cabinet is well braced for its size and stays composed when the woofer is working hard.

Who the Sound Artist SC65B Is For

This is not an entry level speaker. The SC65B makes most sense for listeners who already own a speaker they enjoy and want a second option with a genuinely different character, or for anyone building a system around tube amplification and a forward, detailed presentation.

The 90 dB sensitivity and 8 ohm nominal impedance mean it will play at healthy levels from amplifiers with modest power output, which widens the pool of electronics worth trying.

Its strongest argument is the way it places performers in a room. In a near field setup the SC65B throws a stage that is wide, tall, and deeper than the cabinet size would suggest, and the centre image locks in with very little adjustment.

Main Strengths: Soundstage and Imaging

Soundstage and imaging are the standout qualities here. Tracks with deliberate placement of instruments and voices come across with clear positions, and the presentation extends above the top of the cabinets rather than sitting flat between them.

The usual starting point is an equilateral triangle, so speakers five feet apart with the listener five feet back. Sitting slightly closer, roughly three and a half to four feet back, produced a more immersive result with the same spacing. Listeners in larger rooms may need to work around side wall reflections, but the speaker is unusually forgiving about placement.

Driver Design, Build Quality, and Efficiency

The driver layout explains much of the character. A paper and wood pulp cone handles the low end, while the aluminum dome tweeter sits inside a real metal horn rather than a plastic moulding. Two large ports on the front handle the cabinet tuning.

Build quality is strong for the price. The cabinet is well braced and does not feel hollow, even with the open area required by the front ports, and the piano black finish is executed cleanly. The arrangement of the drivers high on the baffle makes the speaker top heavy, which is worth noting when choosing stands.

On the back there is a single set of five-way binding posts, so bi-wiring and bi-amping are not options. For most systems that is a non-issue, and the simpler connection keeps setup straightforward.

Bass, Mid-range, and Treble Character

Bass is neutral and smooth rather than forceful. Deep notes remain audible, but the roll-off appears to begin around 60 Hz or slightly higher, so the lowest octaves are implied rather than delivered with weight. Punchy material stays punchy, tight bass drums stay tight, and the speaker does not impose its own low frequency signature on a recording.

Because the cabinet is ported, the bass is not the fastest available. If the quickest possible transient response is the priority, a sealed design is a better place to look.

The mid-range is where the SC65B divides opinion. The top of the mid-range can sound slightly shrouded or nasal, and the metal horn and aluminum tweeter add a metallic sheen that some listeners will hear as less than completely natural. Lower male vocals and acoustic guitars can seem a little thin. Female vocals, upper register acoustic guitars, and voices with natural reverb come across very well. This is a forward presentation rather than a warm one.

Treble follows the same theme. Initial attack is strong, decay is more pronounced than usual, and cymbals in particular take on a metallic edge. Detail is never obscured, and there is no sense of a veil over the music, but the treble has a flavour of its own.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The character described above is the main thing to weigh. Anyone who wants a warm, forgiving speaker that flatters every recording should look elsewhere. Anyone who wants a speaker with a clear point of view will find plenty to like.

Electronics matching matters more than usual. Warm amplification with body and weight balances the forward upper mid-range, while thin or bright sources push it further forward. Lower end Class D amplifiers were a poor match, and the speaker became intense when driven hard by the wrong gear.

A well matched amplifier such as an SMSL DA9, or a vintage receiver along the lines of a Pioneer SX-3700, brought out the best in the speaker.

Finally, this is not the obvious choice for a first hi-fi system. The SC65B is easier to appreciate after spending time with a few other speakers, because its strengths and its quirks both come from the same deliberate voicing.

Pairing the SC65B With the Right Electronics

With 90 dB sensitivity and an 8 ohm load, the SC65B does not demand a lot of power. That makes it a natural partner for tube amplifiers and low wattage designs, and it takes some of the edge off the upper mid-range when the amplifier itself is warm and full bodied.

Solid state works well too, provided the amplifier leans warm rather than lean. A modern integrated with a smooth top end and a vintage receiver with plenty of body both proved enjoyable pairings. Bright budget amplifiers are best avoided.

Buying Advice

At around $500 the SC65B is one of the more interesting speakers in its price class, and the right buyer will get a lot out of it. It suits listeners who want exceptional imaging, a distinct mid-range flavour, and a speaker that works happily with tube gear.

Availability is worth checking before you commit. The speaker has been offered through Amazon, and also direct from China Hi-Fi Audio at roughly $500 delivered to the United States, Canada, and some other countries. Pair it with warm electronics, give it a near field setup if the room allows, and the result is a system with a character few speakers at this price can match.

If your priorities are neutrality across the board, a warm tonal balance, or the quickest bass on offer, this is probably not the speaker to buy. If your priority is a stage that appears out of nowhere and a mid-range with personality, the SC65B is worth serious consideration.

Conclusion

The Sound Artist SC65B is a well built concentric driver speaker with a metal horn tweeter, a neutral low end, and imaging that stands out even in a crowded price bracket. Its forward, slightly metallic upper mid-range will not suit everyone, and it asks for careful amplifier matching. For experienced listeners who want a second speaker with a different flavour, it is a rewarding and distinctive choice.