To the OP, and everyone. I am here to not play devils advocate, but here it goes. 1st, lots of good information shared above. Steve Guttenberg, the Audiophiliac, came out with a video on his channel a few weeks ago, asking " Is your system perfectly matched to your music ? ". I think it should go beyond that. Is your system matched to your listening " habits "? What I am finding here is, by the OP, trying to get sound pressure levels ( 100 - 105 db ) out of a mini monitor ( with 7 inch woofers ) is not very realistic, no matter the quality, or power. I listen loud, and my peak levels approach these levels often, but with a pair of modified and tweaked Klipsch Lascala. They do everything I want them to do, with all types of music ( they run full range, and I do have subs to extend the much needed bottom end ). I hear compression with most low efficiency dynamic speakers ( panels too ), and specifically, mini monitors. One of the reasons to listen to music with an audiophile type system to begin with, is to experience the full scale of dynamics and shadings, of the musicianship, of the players and the composers, of our favorite music. Raising the level does not always get you there, unless you have the right system, " for you ". I take nothing away from those using eqs, crossovers, dsp, or whatever else. However, I find it all to be band aids ( ime, and to my ears / brain ), with the added complexity of electronics and cables added to the system, it ultimately hinders the details of what I want to hear, from my recordings. ymmv. Enjoy, be well and stay safe. Always, MrD.
What is Floyd Toole saying about extra amplifier power and headroom?
I've been reading Floyd Toole's "Sound Reproduction The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms" and came across a passage that I wish he went into further detail about. It has to do with whether having amplifier headroom has any noticeable improvement in sq. He happens to be talking about getting the bass right in small rooms, but in doing so, he also touches on the use of a larger amp for extra headroom:
It's the last part ("useless headroom") that I'm curious about. I have notoriously hard-to-drive speakers (Magico Mini IIs). Although the recommended amplification is 50w - 200w, in my experience, that's a bit of an underestimation. I'm driving the Minis with a Musical Fidelity M6PRX, which is rated at 230w @ 8ohms. (The Minis are 4ohm.) The combination sounds excellent to my ears at low to moderate listening levels, but I notice a slight compression in the soundstage at higher levels. My listening room, while small, is fairly well treated with DIY panels made from Rockwool, sound-absorbent curtains, and thick carpeting. So I don't think I'm overloading the room. But I have wondered if an amp with far more power than what's suggested (more headroom) would drive the speakers with a little less effort.
Those of you familiar with Toole or with driving speakers with power to spare, what are your experiences? If I went with, say, a pair of monoblocks that drive 600w @ 4ohm, would the extra headroom address the compression I'm hearing at higher levels? Or am I wasting my time and, potentially, funds that would be better spent elsewhere?
Thanks!
Remedies for unacceptable situations typically included spending more money on a loudspeaker with a “better” woofer (without useful technical specifications, that was a lottery of another kind) and a bigger amplifier (for useless headroom ...
It's the last part ("useless headroom") that I'm curious about. I have notoriously hard-to-drive speakers (Magico Mini IIs). Although the recommended amplification is 50w - 200w, in my experience, that's a bit of an underestimation. I'm driving the Minis with a Musical Fidelity M6PRX, which is rated at 230w @ 8ohms. (The Minis are 4ohm.) The combination sounds excellent to my ears at low to moderate listening levels, but I notice a slight compression in the soundstage at higher levels. My listening room, while small, is fairly well treated with DIY panels made from Rockwool, sound-absorbent curtains, and thick carpeting. So I don't think I'm overloading the room. But I have wondered if an amp with far more power than what's suggested (more headroom) would drive the speakers with a little less effort.
Those of you familiar with Toole or with driving speakers with power to spare, what are your experiences? If I went with, say, a pair of monoblocks that drive 600w @ 4ohm, would the extra headroom address the compression I'm hearing at higher levels? Or am I wasting my time and, potentially, funds that would be better spent elsewhere?
Thanks!