Underpowered?
Hi guys. Newbie here asking for advice.
I recently purchased a pair of B&W 702 Signature (8Ω, 30-300W, 90 dB) to replace my old faithful 683s (8Ω, 20-200W, 90 dB). I am running them with a McIntosh MA252 (100W into 8Ω, 160W into 4Ω). I purchased them thinking they would complete my end-game system. However, my excitement turned into disappointment when I realized the lows were somewhat lacking. For all their faults, the 683s had a great dynamic low kick (no sub) that I was looking to take one step further. Unsurprisingly, the highs and mids on the 702s were indeed more detailed and separation was clearer, but I couldn't get over the uninspiring lows. I found myself listening at higher volumes chasing for that bass oomph. Neither playing with the EQ at the source nor the amp was satisfactory. So, I did the research that perhaps I should've done before purchasing the 702s and found out they are quite power hungry despite the specs being similar to the 683s. I emailed B&W and McIntosh and they agreed the amp is probably underpowered for the 702s. B&W described the sound of an underpowered speaker as one lacking low response and details, which is spot on. McIntosh suggested the MA352 (200W into 8Ω, 320W into 4Ω).
Of note, I love the MA252 and really wish there was a way to make this work. I don't need a DAC/streamer/etc so I'm happy to put all my money on better sound vs tech features. But I also think the speakers sound amazing even when somewhat underpowered and I'm considering upgrading to a MA352, Michi X3, Hegel 390. Another option could be to get a sub? But I feel that would defeat the purpose of having a 3way standing speaker and then I might as well get a pair of bookshelf speakers (805 D4s, LS50 metas?).
So what do you guys think? Is it normal for a speaker that's rated 30-300W to be underpowered with a 100W amp?? What would you do:
Sell the 702s and look for a better match for my MA252?
Upgrade the MA252 (MA352? Michi X3? NAD 33?)?
Get a subwoofer?
I would really appreciate your thoughts/advice!
That plot labeled “graph 5” in the link looks like -5dB at 100Hz... and headed south.
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#1 - do you like the speakers? #2 - Those Purifi Eigentakt do not look as good as a Mac. But they likely have the cojones. As @ctsooner mentioned there is the Vandy sub, which is sort of an active alternative to the DSP based approach. And that folds back into #2 as some load is relieved off of the speakers and amp.
I know nothing about the B&W, but are you smitten with them? They do appear top be a bit weak on the lower registers:
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What sort of EQ options did you have at the source and at the amp? How about some measurement like an REW graph of the left and then the right channel? (And finally both) | ||||||||||||||||
As I pointed out earlier the 46 Hz versus 29 Hz is reflected in the low freq trailing off in the link. So one would expect the 2C versions to play with more authority at the lower frequencies. However the 86 versus 90 dB sensitivity, would favour the 702S2. |
