2. amps-preamps
  3. 124838-19008

Why is an XA30.5 a bad match for Revel Ultima Salon II speakers?

I actually own Revel M106 speakers right now, but some day, I intend to replace them with full range speakers like the Wilson Sophia II or Revel Salon II.

People say you need a lot of power to drive the Salons. The M106 and Salon II have almost the same sensitivity, and the XA30.5 can play the M106 louder than I prefer to listen (FYI I have a Velodyne powered sub). I guess my ears are pretty sensitive to loud volumes.

Does having all the mass of driving full range woofers into the 20hz range increase or complicate the workload on the amp significantly?

What is it about these speakers and many others that would demand a larger amp even at moderate volumes? My XA30.5 is supposed to be good for about 190W into 4 ohms, but nobody, including Pass Labs, seems to recommend an amp of that size for the Revel Salon II.

If I were to buy the Salons but had no amp budget, would I be better off trading for a more powerful but somewhat lesser quality amp than the XA30.5 such as a Parasound?
sboje

Showing 1 response by timlub

timlub
2,043 posts
 
Hi sboje,
    I haven't heard these combinations, but overall, I can't imagine why your Pass would not drive either of these speakers.  The problem is that these speakers are both 4 ohm relatively low to medium sensitivity (86db) and both require an amp with very good current capabilities to drive them... that's the catch.... Most big amps have big power supplies which gives most of them the capability of the current needed to drive such speakers... but if I recall the XA30.5,  it is rated Class A to 30 watts,  but its actual power is more like 130 into 8 ohms and 190 into 4. I'm not saying that some big powered amps out there wouldn't be better, but  Unless you are a loud listener that drives em hard,
I suspect that it would drive them just fine.  I'm sure someone out there would give a more solid answer, but that's just 2 cents worth, Tim
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