Soundlab A3s and thoughts.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/sound-lab-3-loudspeaker-specifications The measured sensitivity was around 76dB/1m/1w (vs. mfr 88dB). Look for a high-powered SS for this model. |
My speakers are original A3s with the old transformers. So as inefficient as they can be..... still sounded great even with my limited amp........ Panels were a little crackly but I tuned this out with the bias adjuster. I’m not quite sure what this does, but I’ve asked soundlab for a Manual so hopefully I’ll learn and hopefully I’ve not done anything bad. I picked up my speakers today, and roughly set them up this evening. With my Line Magnetic 518ia 22 watts SET. I wasn’t expecting much , but this combination gave me some of the most convincing presentation of female vocals that ive heard. Case of you (Diana Krall/live in Paris CD) was the most present I’ve ever heard it. Fantastic. Volume was not a problem either. There are limitations however. The little line Magnetic could not play extended, low, electronic bass notes without Producing physical vibrating of the panel. Short transient low bass was fine but long electronic bass produced a chuffing at medium to high volume. Lowering the Volume removed this problem. I’m hoping that a higher power amp will eliminate this issue. So I’m now thinking of the Line Magnetic lm150ia, with 4 KT150s producing 100watts. Just because I’ve liked their products so far. There is also I Nad C390 DD for sale locally that I’m interested in ( I used the M51 dac for a while and liked it ). It’ll run 150watts continuous into 4 ohms with x3 that peak. I’m curious about that too. DD amp, dac and pre all in one. Very different to what I’d usually go for but maybe a change is as good as a rest. We shall see. thanks for your interest. |
I’ve had my pair of Soundlabs M-645s for about 8 months now. They were brand new so newest bass focus panels and transformers. I still use a Pass Labs 350.8 for juice. They need the power. The bias is critical! This has to be set correctly before using the speakers. Not setting it properly can damage the speaker. It directly effects efficiency, and controls the amount of voltage applied to the panel. If you google search setting the bias on Soundlabs you will get some direction. There shouldn’t be any continuous crackling or cracking, that means the bias is too high. Some people set the bias to a point where cracklings can be heard intermittently and very close to the speaker. This gives you better efficiency. I lower mine just till I hear the crackling stop completely. Lower efficiency, but potential longer panel life. I also have mine on a switched outlet so that I can turn them off when not in use. YMMV, and I don’t know if Dr. West recommends one way or the other. Enjoy the speakers! |
Ralph at Atma-sphere is your man. Not only does his equipment sound wonderful but he also knows of a few tweaks on the older SLs that can improve the speaker. Whenever I have heard the SLs sound really good they have been driven by tubes. At one CES they were driven by some very expensive European SS amps and I think this sounded good but Bob Crump was talking so loud in the background I couldnt concentrate. |
