Missing the Old Days
Erik, With a low of 3.5 Ohms with a phase angle of 15 or so degrees is not out of normal for a nominal 4 Ohm speaker system - you must look at both impedance and phase angle. Through the whole Bass and lower midrange, where most of the current is delivered anyway, the speaker is almost resistive. Most amplifiers of modern design will drive this easily. Good Listening Peter |
@pbnaudio - I was a little hyperbolic there! Yes, it is resistive, so it's not quite as bad as an exotic ESL or pure ribbon speaker, but even with the low impedance out of the bass area, a better than average amplifier should be used. OTOH, I assume it's very high efficiency, so the overall power used should be low. Also, kind of cries out for bi-amping, which then lets me use my favorite comination, bi-amping with EQ on the bass. :) Best, E |
I think after thinking about this, that the M2!5 has what might be called a "discerning" speaker. Meaning, it’s more likely to show differences in an amplifier’s current capability than less challenging speakers. Still, for the output I think that’s not a terrible price to pay overall. Based on Paul's other designs, and what I see here, he's arrived at the impedance authentically, and didn't deliberately try to make it this way just for the sake of showing up lesser amplifiers. Going back to my pro-theater roots, I’d be quite tempted to bi-amp these. Maybe with a Parasound A21 on the top, A23 on the bottom. Like I said, I really really like the design. These are minor nits. |
Peter, I just looked at your high(er) end floor standing speakers and they are truly works of art. Your Master Reference III model in particular is awe inspiring. I'm very glad to see someone out here kicking the butts of those mega $ European builders but unfortunately, I have this feeling that I’ll probably need to mortgage my house to even afford one of your lower end models. Wish you great success. |
Kalali, Thank you! In the realm of mega Speakers the MR3 is not inexpensive @ $85K for the set MSRP, however compared to the competition its a "bargain" if one can use that therm :-) Good Listening Peter PS, Take a look at the Liberty Audio XvoX http://www.libertyaudio.com/products/x-vox-loudspeaker-system |
👍👍And they continue to be the good these days as well. A simple inexpensive cap upgrade and some new surrounds if needed and you have speakers worth listening to. The OP IMO is going about it wrong to spend 1k to 2k on new speakers. His Parasound fear would work great with Amy of the speakers you and I both mentioned. I had a set of Klipsch rf 82 ll. Retailed for about $1200.00. They lasted a week only to be replaced by 40 year old JBL L50 and some Infinity kappa 8. |
I have a similar pair of speakers to these. Never understood the need for a sub. Get these and rock on! http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649427189-legacy-audio-focus-se-beautiful-natural-cherry/ |
Here's a thought - a used pair of PSB Stratus Gold i. At 4 ohm and only 87 db efficient, they need a bit of good power to rock. Not only can they rock, but their detail and imaging, when pulled out from the front wall 3 to 4 ft and a couple of ft from the side walls, is incredible. I like their sound (bigger, richer and fuller) better than their newer models, sa. the Imagine T3. They can be found, on occasion, for around $1K. I have a pair in my second system and feel no need for a sub - when cranked a bit. The Stratus Gold i is a great combo of old school rock, mixed with new school detail and imaging. Unlike the Cerwin Vegas, they actually do present a deep taught base without adding a layer of tubbyness to everything. Good luck with your quest...Jim |
the OP hit the nail with the title of this thread- that’s saying a mouthful....the latest saying on the street is "old school is the only school"...I’ll take it a step further. it’s not only about big powerful speakers that were affordable. the whole audio experience has lost its touch. reason- they aren’t making high quality analog masters in the studios anymore, like they used to. that affects sound quality, in that the music doesn’t "draw you in" like it used to. I remember getting up on a Saturday as a kid, and starting to play vinyl records at around 10AM, on a consumer mid-fi 110 WPC solid state rig. and at 12:30PM I’d still be playing them, taking some breaks to eat and shower. and they sounded do damned good, and if I had nothing to do, or it was raining outside, or winter, or nobody around to hang out with, I’d keep right on playing LP’s until the played stack was dozens high, and the sun would be going down. 12+ hours straight of listening, or more- and it sounded awesome, and was a thrilling experience. Now I long for those days, cuz life has changed to the point, people just don’t enjoy music like that anymore- to that extent. they listen to music like buying fast food in the drive through. I think what we have to do, is put a couple days a month aside, or at least ONE day, to do nothing that day but listen to music. like the old days.... |
