How can I tell if I am overdriving the amp or the speakers?


I have a Hegel H390 driving KEF Reference 5 speakers and when I play something loud, the upper midrange ( saxophone, electric guitar, piano ) start sounding sharp and annoying. The amp is 250 x 2 into 8 ohms, stable down to 2 ohms and the speakers are 90 dbs, 8 ohm, ( min 3.2 ) 50-400 watts. I’m pretty sure it’s not room acoustics, but.

Thanks.

JD

curiousjim

Showing 1 response by franklinb66

A perspective from a non-technical music lover:

I have a two watt tube amp matched with 92 efficient speakers. My room is about 210 sq ft. The sound was flat, and compressed (in terms of sound stage).  In addition, the bass was thin, and frequency response was distorted in the midrange.  I assumed I needed more watts or more efficient speakers.  Hence, I tried speakers that were 98 efficient.  Nevertheless, the subsequent results did not improve. The new speakers played louder but with the same issues.

Through further exploration of my room, I found the ideal speaker placement for my room and then added some diffusion and absorption treatments.  

In short, my 2 watt amp and 92 efficient speakers now perform as originally desired relative to my preferences - warm with natural timbre, sufficient detail,  and excellent sound staging and dynamics.

Know Thy Room and Thy Self