2. amps-preamps
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Speaker Effeciency and Bass Production

How much speaker efficiency is gained if the bottom two octaves or so don't need to be produced? I'm considering trying an SET or OTL amp but am wondering about the ability of these amp types to drive my speakers (Opera Quinta; 89db efficiency and 6 ohm nominal impedance; 6-8 ohms from 100Hz up). I am using a pair of corner placed subwoofers which can easily produce the lower 2-3 octaves. So the question is if the amps driving the main speakers don't have to produce anything below 100Hz or so, then is the ability to use them on my main speakers more doable? The room is fairly large, but I sit only around 10 feet from them.
smeyers

Showing 4 responses by cyclonicman

cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Atmasphere, I was curious and so I just viewed the MA-3 monoblocks which as you said can deliver 500 Watts. An amazing piece of hardware, it looks bigger than my furnace.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Usually when a subwoofer is integrated into a system, the lower octaves are not going to the speakers anyway. In my setup, both my pre amp and power amp are connected to a powered subwoofer and the speakers are connected to the power amp, not the subwoofer. In a sense I am biamping the subwoofer, but the lower frequencies are not produced by the speakers. My speakers are very efficient 92db and are rated to about 35-40hz in the lower region, but the lower frequencies are produced by the subwoofer. The speakers are producing anything above 100hz.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Good point!! It is a Vintage Conrad Johnson Premier 1, about 20 years old, but very good sound and power, 200 Watts per channel, which you aren't going to get with the SET/OTL. However, I was also using the same setup with a Rogue stereo 90 in Triode mode, which was about 40 watts per channel. The powered subwoofwer has a 175 Watt continuous amplifier and 475 Watts dynamic range.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Really, probably pretty expensive?
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