Which Amp for my Speakers?

So you just bought that speaker you always wanted, but now, it is set up in your living room, it does not sound like what it sounded at the showroom?

It must be sales trickery! Right?

Most people abandon the fact that the amplifier you use is one of the most important things you need when driving a speaker.

I am going to use an example:

I had a client coming in on a Sunday, eager to buy a Monitor Audio Bronze floorstander, but after hearing the Monitor Audio RX8, he committed to the superior Silver range from Monitor Audio. The demo was done on a Rotel Pre/Power 200watts combination, which blew him away. Upon asking what electronics he has, he assured me that his Yamaha will do the trick, as the speaker's rated 150watts is way below his Yamaha's "rated" 180 watts per channel. 

a Few days later, I got a call, the client says the speakers does not nearly sound as good as it did during the demonstration, can I help? So I jumped into the van, armed with the same Rotel Pre/Power combo, Audioquest Interconnects, Audioquest custom made speaker cables with banana plugs. Arriving at the client, I quickly added the Power Amp to the existing Yamaha's pre-outs. Magic happened, the client was ecstatic. I proceded by then using the Rotel Pre-amplifier and cabling, where the sound just opened up so much more. Needless to say, the client upgraded to the better, newer and more powerful system, and was happy.

SO, WHAT THE WATTS IS GOING ON?

So I am not going to bore you with the technical explanations, it is time-consuming, it is debatable, it is always being challenged, so here I will follow with the easiest way to explain it.

You have a Hyundai rated at 140kw, and a Mercedes rated at 140kw. Who will win the race? Same power right? But do we take into account weight, efficiencies, using more low-cost manufacturing components vs newer technology? Mercedes will always win, it just does it better, with the same rated power. You might add, the Mercedes has more torque...which makes for the next paragraph.

You never walk into an audio shop and asks for the most powerful Wattifier. You ask for an Amplifier, which produces amps, which is the actual electrical current driving the motors in your speakers, which produces watts.

Why the watts then?

Mostly marketing really! Thank you Sony PMPO.

So how do I choose?

There is no better way to choose the right amp for the right speakers, then going for an auditioning at your local showroom. Contact your local importer of the speaker brand you have, and ask them what they would recommend.

Example, KEF would most of the times recommend you look into Primare, which powers their speakers exceptionally well. Primare also powers most British speakers very well, including B&W and Monitor Audio.

Another example will be Yamaha driving Bowers and Wilkins very well, but not KEF as much, as KEF tends to be very sharp on the higher frequencies when coupled with a Yamaha, which is naturally a sharper sounding amplifier, which is once again neutralized by the B&W's warm sound.

You would find a Focal Speaker will not work at all with Primare or Class D amplifiers, yet, enjoys Class A and AB amplifiers from McIntosh and Marantz/Denon.

Go and audition, don't just read about it, it is much more fun!

Everything but the box impresses the Japanese

From EBTB Website:

Featured EBTB users – Hidesato Shiino (Vestax – Japan)

“The Terra Mk III loudspeaker … It’s impressive, stylish … ‘Hip’! Especially it’s unique design and great craftsmanship. Owning a pair of these brings new life to my audio experience. There’s no doubt serious hi-fi listeners will gain the same result!” 

Everything but the Box stylish Terra MK3 

Hidesato Shiino’s great-grandfather formed a music business in Japan, which gave young Shiino-san a strong background in the industry. He also had a passion for playing musical instruments, which he and others in his country were unable to obtain in the years following World War II. Over time he found opportunities to provide schools with musical instruments and with his own company Vestax, was able to make and sell his own musical products. 

In 1977 Mr. Hidesato Shiino founded Vestax which has lead the way in numerous fields in the pro audio and musical instruments industry. Vestax Corporation was founded with the intention to satisfy three core values – to be a company that would lead the way for culture, quality and innovation, a company that would satisfy the needs and expectations of consumers. Those three values then, still govern business activity at Vestax today and they remain as strongly entrenched as ever. Hideasato Shiino is also owner of the renowned ESP Guitars Company and PACO Guitar Salon in Tokyo.

Everything but the Box MK3

These days Mr. Shiino is considered as the “Japanese Leo Fender” and is one of the founders of the Japanese Guitar manufacturing. He has designed the guitars of some of the world’s greatest artists. His knowledge of the Japan and global pro and consumer audio market is unbeatable.

PMC unveil twotwo™ range | PMC Loudspeakers

PMC unveil twotwo™ range | PMC Loudspeakers

PMC announce a new range of powered two-way nearfield monitors at this year's IBC.

The active twotwo™ series combines PMC’s world-class design pedigree and respected Advanced Transmission Line™ (ATL™) bass loading technology with sophisticated digital signal processing. The result is a range of premium true reference tools designed for ultra-critical professional monitoring, in stereo or surround.

The stylish, midnight blue range initially comprises two models, the twotwo.5 and twotwo.6. A third, the twotwo.8, will be added in the new year. All three share the same core design and features; the model number refers only to the approximate size (in inches) of the bass driver, with larger numbers denoting increasing cabinet volume, greater bass extension and higher SPLs. The range is designed and built in Britain using state-of-the-art technologies and components, and the result is an unrivalled level of clarity, transparency image stability and accuracy for professional compact monitors.

Like all PMC speakers, the twotwo series is based on ATL designs with their inherent benefits of ultra-low distortion, extended bass response and a consistent, natural-sounding frequency response. All aspects of the range, including the custom-designed 27mm precision soft-dome tweeter and the three new matt doped natural-fibre bass drivers, are new to the nearfield market. Great care has been taken to make the speakers as easy to set up and use as possible, no matter what format the input audio is in; connections include analogue phonos and XLRs as well as an AES3 digital input, which will handle all sample rates up to 192kHz. These innovations mean it's as easy to set up the twotwo range in a rehearsal room with a phono cable and a laptop as it is to drive them on the meterbridge of a digital console in a professional studio.

The twotwo range also draws upon cutting-edge technology designed for other recent PMC products. The onboard DSP engine, derived from that employed in PMC's IB2S-A, optimises the response of the drivers, guarantees a flawless crossover, maximises dispersion, and provides non-invasive protection using modelled excursion limiting. The built-in Class D dual-amplification system builds on the amplifiers developed for PMC's powered range, producing high-resolution audio with unparalleled headroom and detail, delivering 50W to the tweeter and 150W to the bass driver.

Another new design feature of the twotwo series, reflected in the range’s rotatable logo, is that the speakers may be mounted vertically or horizontally without compromising tonal accuracy or stereo/surround imaging. There is no need for a separate horizontal version of the speaker for use as a centre channel, or in environments where horizontal use is a necessity for space reasons. The twotwo also includes PMC’s new DeeCup vibration-reducing pads on each face, which decouple the speaker from its flat surface, and also prevent it from moving or slipping. The twotwo’s mounting flexibility makes it ideally suited for nearfield monitoring of music and speech in situations where space is at a premium, such as in outside broadcast vehicles, small radio on-air studios and television sound control galleries, project music studios, video editing and post-production suites, and for A&R evaluations.

The twotwo.5 and twotwo.6 will be available from October, and the twotwo.8 will follow in the new year.

European Wireless Hi-Fi 2012-2013: Xeo wins EISA AWARD!

European Wireless Hi-Fi 2012-2013: Xeo wins EISA AWARD! 

The new Xeo Series has been awarded with the prestigious EISA AWARD: 16 international HiFi- and Audio/Video magazines voted Xeo as Europe's Best Product in the category Wireless HiFi 2012-2013!

This is already the second award for Xeo: At its launch at the CES 2012 in January WHAT HI-FI? has awarded Xeo as one of the 10 best new products of the show.

Now EISA, the European Imaging And Sound Association, awarded Xeo for the Best Wireless Product.
Dynaudio is the first and so far still the only one who offers real high end quality in a wireless loudspeaker. The jury emphasized this claim in their official citation:

"Hi-fi without cables? If this is your domestic dream then Dynaudio has the solution with its Xeo wireless audio system. If Wi-Fi is traditionally associated with lo-fi then Xeo looks to set a higher standard". 

MartinLogan Offers New 15-Inch Dynamo Subwoofer

New subwoofer features a powerful amplifier, a 15-inch woofer, font and down-firing configurability and optional room correction.

Indianapolis, IN – CEDIA 2012 – September 5-8 – Sound Room #9 – MartinLogan, the world’s leader in electrostatic and Folded Motion™ loudspeaker technology, proudly announces a powerful new subwoofer. The Dynamo 1500X, MartinLogan’s first to feature room correction, includes a host of new internal and aesthetic design elements and a powerful 650 watt (1300 watt peak) amplifier.

Although correct placement plays a key role in optimizing subwoofer performance, positioning a subwoofer often requires compromises. Dynamo 1500X is MartinLogan’s first subwoofer to feature room correction. The optional MartinLogan Perfect Bass Kit (PBK, sold separately) uses a computer and microphone to listen throughout the listening environment and tailor the sub’s performance to the unique acoustic properties of a room—resulting in clean, powerful bass down to 20Hz.

The new subwoofer features advanced MartinLogan design concepts. A high-resolution, low-distortion woofer pairs a high-power magnet structure with a 15-inch diaphragm to deliver huge excursion and sound output while preserving minute bass details, all without a hint of distortion. The cone material’s exceptional damping properties ensure the smooth, non-resonant response necessary for seamless blending with MartinLogan electrostatic panel and Folded Motion driver technologies.

Setup flexibility is maximized by the subwoofer front-firing or down-firing options. When placed in a cabinet or other discreet location, the Dynamo 1500X subwoofer can easily convert from standard down-firing to front-firing orientation, with no tools or special skills required. A grill cover and 90-degree RCA adaptors are provided for use in front-firing applications. Further flexibility is afforded by custom energy transfer coupler (ETC™) spikes, which can enhance stability on thick carpets, or create tighter coupling between subwoofer and floor to enhance overall sound quality.

For customers seeking relief from the inconvenience (not to mention the unsightliness) of running long lengths of cable through walls, along baseboards or under floors and carpets, the Dynamo 1500X is fully compatible with MartinLogan’s new SWT-2 transmitter/receiver system (sold separately). SWT-2 technology, already found in MartinLogan’s Dynamo 700W and 1000W subwoofers and the Motion Vision soundbar, uses digital radio frequency (RF) transmission to wirelessly send CD-quality audio to the subwoofer.

Advanced Ultra-Efficient Amplifier Design

The Dynamo 1500X delivers a true 650 watts of continuous power and 1300 watts peak. An energy-conscious design, the Dynamo Series amps consume only 10 watts in standby mode.
Seamless System Integration

Comprehensive signal connections and low-pass filtering and phase control make the integration of Dynamo 1500X subwoofers into a multi-channel home theater or stereo music setup a simple and seamless process. The main left/right line-level inputs feed into a precision low-pass filter with a cut-off frequency variable from 35 to 150 Hz. For systems in which a surround processor supplies the crossover, the Dynamo Series offers a LFE input, via either XLR or RCA connections, which bypasses internal filters. Additionally, a trigger input allows processors to turn the Dynamo 1500X on and off via a 12V trigger connection.

Sealed System

Although ports are a convenient and cost-effective way of increasing low-frequency output, their reliance on resonant energy impairs bass quality. A good sealed system exhibits less transient-blurring group delay while maintaining smooth, consistent response, regardless of music or movie source material.

Sealed Cabinet with Extensive Internal Bracing

The Dynamo 1500X’s cabinet is constructed from the finest composite material for acoustic integrity. Inside, critically placed structural cross-bracing acts as an excellent baffle for the woofer, while the added rigidity keeps cabinet-induced resonances and non-linearities to inaudible levels.

Finish Options & Availability

MartinLogan Dynamo 1500X will be shipping in November 2012 and be available in Matte Black and High-Gloss Piano Black – pricing TBD.

HARMAN’s Revel Introduces 2-Series In-Wall and In-Ceiling Loudspeakers at CEDIA 2012

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – HARMAN’s Revel today announced the introduction of its 2-Series in-wall and in-ceiling loudspeakers, an all-new line of custom installation-ready models that combine exceptional performance with outstanding value and easier installation.

The seven speakers in the Revel 2-Series include the following:

• C263 in-ceiling speaker (1-inch tweeter, 6-1/2-inch woofer)
• C283 in-ceiling speaker (1-inch tweeter, 8-inch woofer)
• C263LP low-profile in-ceiling speaker (1-inch tweeter, 6-1/2-inch woofer)
• C283LP low-profile in-ceiling speaker (1-inch tweeter, 8-inch woofer)
• W263 in-wall (1-inch tweeter, 6-1/2-inch woofer)
• W283 in-wall speaker (1-inch tweeter, 8-inch woofer)
• W253L horizontal/vertical in-wall LCR speaker (1-inch tweeter, dual 5-1/4-inch woofers)

“Our new 2-Series architectural speakers offer superb sound quality at attractive price points that represent a new value standard for Revel,” said Jim Garrett, Director of Marketing and Product Management for HARMAN Luxury Audio Group and Loudspeakers. “In addition, the speakers feature our newly-designed C-2 mounting system that accommodates 2-inch material thickness and provides greater installation flexibility.”

Revel 2-Series speakers offer expanded installation options for every in-wall and in-ceiling application. All models, with the exception of the C263LP and C283LP low-profile solutions, employ the company’s new C-2 dog-leg-type clamping mechanism that quickly and securely locks the speakers into place and can be used with materials up to 2 inches thick. All feature zero-bezel magnetically removable paintable grilles for a clean, elegant appearance that blends into any room. All 2-Series speakers fit into existing pre-construction brackets and fire-rated back box accessories.

The C283LP and C263LP low-profile in-ceiling speakers have a mounting depth of only 2.35 inches (60 mm), enabling them to fit in applications where installation space is limited. The W253L LCR speaker can be used as the left, center and right-channels in a multichannel home theater system and can be mounted horizontally or vertically. The in-ceiling models come with both round and square grilles to match ceiling fixtures and lighting.

Revel 2-Series loudspeakers incorporate premium drivers and components to deliver clear, detailed and natural sound. The PEI Dome Tweeters operate in conjunction with a computer-designed waveguide that provides smooth, even coverage over a wider listening area and a more seamless blend between the tweeter and the woofer. The woofers utilize aluminum cones to provide detailed and dynamic midrange reproduction.

Revel 2-Series architectural speakers will be available in the first quarter, 2013.

Source www.revelspeakers.com Peter Weiss

PSB Collects Three Awards at CEDIA EXPO 2012

PSB's Imagine T2 Tower speaker and M4U 2 Active Noise Cancelling headphones both were recognized with awards in their respected categories at CEDIA EXPO 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attracting some of today's biggest consumer electronics magazines and editors, CE Pro, Residential Systems and Custom Retailer held red carpet events to hand out this year's awards.

Custom Retailer EXC!TE AWARDS 2012 - PSB M4U 2 Active Noise Cancelling headphones

Residential Systems RESI AWARDS 2012 - PSB M4U 2 Active Noise Cancelling headphones

CE PRO BEST Floorstanding Speaker Award 2012 - PSB Imagine T2 Tower