@mapman thank you, that makes sense now.
So, at 8 watts, into 4ohm 88db speakers, is the amp being damaged at playing 70db room volume?
Speaker Efficiency
I have been listening to my Decware 300b tube amp for a few months now. At 8 watts, I have them paired with Klipsch Forte IV at 99db efficiency, and this set up has been sounding great. This morning I connected a pair of Sonus Faber Electa Amator speakers, 6ohms at 88db of efficiency. They sound fantastic, with more weight and depth. I understand there is a huge price difference in the two speakers, but aside from that, if I am getting 80db of volume at my chair, 8' away, what is the draw back of using lower efficiency speakers with SET amps, so long as the volume is sufficient? I did notice turn the Pre amp, the tube amp and the Roon volume towards the highest setting, it starts sounding terrible....
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@marktheshark of the sound is listenable the amp may be running hotter than optimal and producing more distortion. The volume attained and dynamics will level out. It’s like running a car engine. It’s always best to not make the engine work harder than it is designed to do for best results and longest life. With flea power amps you will get the best results with speakers that are easy loads to drive in terms of impedance. The if they are also efficient they can go louder and clear as well. I have looked at Fortes. Personally I would not chose them for a SET and expect best possible sound quality.
If you do not have to go very loud, I would recommend investigating Fritz speakers . These are generally designed to have benign impedance curves but are also monitors and efficiency is very modest. I have heard these at shows with flea power tube amps and was astounded with the results in a modest size room at least. Larger rooms are always a greater challenge but even in case adding a powered sub or two along with an active crossover to limit bass extension in the mains can address that
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what are you gaining? and what are you losing? when you put a low powered mismatched amp to a hard to drive speaker???? how large is your room? how loud do you listen? how close do you sit? how important is space and scale and the lowest octave? how flat is the impedance curve of the speaker? here is a very concise article "Lies, Damn Lies, and Speaker Sensitivity Specs" written by Robert Harley in the Feb 23’ Issue of Absolute Sound regarding speaker efficiency. how specs can be misleading, and how it affects amplifier<->speaker matching. it’s a good place to start this conversation...... https://www.enjoythemusic.com/The_Absolute_Sound/02_2023/editorial.htm i’m not always the biggest Harley fan with his tendency toward hyperbole.....but in this case he nailes it. a quick read worth your time. |
@mikelavigne hmm, sounds like impedance curve has a an equal of greater effect than just speaker sensitivity. @mapman had mentioned Fritz Speakers (thank you mapman). Looking at the Fritz Carrera, with a sensitivity rating of 87db, but recommended watts is 5 to 200. Thanks for the Harley article, I'll read it this weekend. |
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