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Speaker and Cable Suggestions Please

Greetings, some time ago (maybe over a year ago) I asked for some advice as to what tube integrated amp to buy. It was to be my first tube amp and I needed a lot of help. After a long search and much study, I decided on an ARC VSi75. Now I need your help again. I currently have a pair of Focal Aria 926. My listening room is small, 15'7" x 11'7" (4.75m x 3.5m).

I'm looking for a speaker for a near-field situation that extends into the upper mids and high frequencies. Since my amp puts out 75 watts of output, I need something with decent sensitivity, say at least 91db. I also need new speaker cables. I'm using circa 1980s Monster Cable now.

One more consideration, I have lost some hearing due to a neurological autoimmune condition. Yet, when I auditioned Paradigm Persona Bs recently through an ARC, I could here all the sound that I remember hearing when I was a teenager. The point being, I know that upper range I'm chasing is possible I just don't know if it's achievable on my budget. I have about $4,000 to spend on speakers and cables. I was thinking about DH Lab Q-10 for cables and the rest for speakers. What do you guys think? I don't mind buying used. Thank you.

diminishedchord

Showing 2 responses by tvrgeek

tvrgeek
299 posts
 

Spend your money on the speakers as they are 99% or more of the sound.  Use 14 or 12 gauge zip cord for cables.  Yes, cables can make a tiny tiny difference and if you are a trained listener and have 30 year old perfect hearing, they can be audible. For the rest of us, nope.   

Of course, the more you spend the more your brain will justify magical improvements.  I love magic, but my preference is the old school right in front of you slight of hand. Blackwood kind. 

tvrgeek
299 posts
 

YES, speaker impedance varies with frequency. The "nominal impedance" is a pretty useless value.  Minimum impedance is more helpful, but that does not even really explain everything as phase issues can cause even bigger current draws around crossover points.   An example: 

The Truth About Speaker Impedance – Aperion Audio

Refer to your owners manual which terminals to use.   I would use the 4 Ohm tap for sure. 

2.9 Ohms minimum impedance is, well sorry, a terrible design.  You can get away with this on class D amplifiers OK, but is brutal on linear amplifiers and an absolute no-no on most AVRs. Not only due to current draw, but some amplifiers can become unstable and blow up.  On tube amps, it is more about distortion than damage. 

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