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Speaker power handling

I'm currently demoing some Dynaudio Focus 140 speakers rated at 200 watts rms/iec @ 4ohms.
With my older PSE amp rated at 195 w@ 4ohms the sound is good.

Now my concern is to try my Classe CA400 that is rated at 800w @4ohms without having an expensive repair bill. I do at times listen at higher volume settings with peaks around 95+db.

Should I resist temptations trying the Classe?
yagimax
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
My Classe amp drove them with ease. If I could find similar performance with smoothness my search would be over.

The Paradigm's tilt upwards in the treble - if you turn the treble down then they may work better for you. If they sound harsh then you may have trouble driving them (they are like a 2 ohm load in the bass and may cause amp clipping/IMD distortion making the mids and treble harsh). Great speakers but not a smooth load.
weseixas
519 posts
 
Rrog,
Please explain your position...

I will stand behind mine that i have never encountered a speaker that did not sound better on a bigger amplifier. I'm also not from the school of small amp sounds better than a big un ! never experienced that before after trying many, many over the years ...

i guess first we need to define what is considered a small amplifier..

regards,
yagimax OP
21 posts
 
These ATC speakers look interesting. Is there a dealer that carries them in the U.S. or Canada?
Vandersteen 2ci's since sold, were in my system for over 15 years. I'm not if the newer signature versions are more alive sounding as my 2ci's were a touch boring but polite.
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Better watts......are better.
Better may mean better for a particular speaker. Some amps do not like hi phase angle loads....impedance being secondary. Some amps of the 'bulletproof' variety can thrive on weird loads.
I'd rather have 100 bulletproof watts than 500 wimpy watts.
nolitan
865 posts
 
The Classe is a bit overkill for the Dyna140 although it would sound superb.
If you are willing to invest that much in the amp, suggest you consider as what others have pointed out, a pair of ATC SCM19 or the SCM40. These speakers can play really loud without strain & paired with that classe , you should be happy!
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