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Amp matching with high sensitivity speakers

I sold a pair of B&W 803 D2’s and went the polar opposite with a pair of minty Chorus 1’s I bought from a friend. I have mixed feelings about the move so far but have new Crites Crossovers and Ti diaphragms in hand and will be installing as soon as I can find a couple of hours. Perhaps that will improve detail and dynamics a bit. One of the reasons for picking up the Chorus is trying the high sensitivity speaker/lower watt amp combo that many audiophiles enjoy.  

I came across a post from Klipsch recommending to use no less than 80% and no more than twice the speaker’s continuous power rating. The RMS on the Chorus is 100 watts. I could be wrong but take that to mean use an amp no less than 80 watts and I more than 200 watts. The article talks about potentially damaging the speakers with too low or too much power. https://support.klipsch.com/hc/en-us/articles/360044125891-Choosing-the-Right-Receiver-Amplifier

I’m looking for feedback on those actually using lower watt amps on this 80% rule for speakers. I’m using a 300 watt Levinson 532H but eager to try a lower power tube or a First Watt solid state as soon as possible. Thanks for chiming in. 

bfoura

Showing 1 response by carlsbad

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

I'm definitely in the low watt amp/high sensitivity speaker camp.  I don't know if you're looking at tubes but that is certainly a popular option and the one I like.  I googled your speakers and my speakers are 96 dB just like yours. 

I am currently driving them with a Sophia Baby tube amp that I picked up on ebay as an interim solution while waiting for my new amp (Ayon Spark Delta, 35 wpc).  

Unless you have a huge room and like to blast your ears, the Sophia is more than enough.  I've never had it turned up even close all the way.  It is extremely detailed, transparent, and imaging.  I've seen one for sale lately for $550 or so and I would highly recommend it as an amp to play around with while you do your research and since you are questioning if this is the right way to go, its a very inexpensive way to hear the capabilities of this type of system.   Frankly, if the Sophia had a remote and a pre-in connection, I might not even upgrade it.  I've compared it to $5k ss amps and it wasn't even close.

Jerry

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