Stereophile spec measurement baffling(pun?)

The industrial standard should have always been -3dB or -1.5dB. The perceived sound level drops 19% at -3dB instead of 34% at -6dB. More restricted tolerance is -1.5dB, where the perceived sound level only drops 10%, making it more appropriate threshold for defining roll-off tolerance in anechoic room setting.

At least they still take measurements unlike Absolute Sound. I don't think measurements are the final word in a devices sound and hate ASR. Power out measurements and speaker sensitivity are both important to me.

Agreed. Stereophile is respected for its balance of objectivity and subjectivity, with extensive listening tests backed by proper measurements. ASR and AS, on the other hand, represent two extreme ends of the spectrum, though they shouldn't be discredited for what they contribute. Audiophiles simply need to digest the information more intelligently.

I'm trying to get an idea of where to begin the setup of a B&W ASW800 with a pair of B&W 805 matrices.

Maybe this will help see here

Mike