$$$Sensitive Speakers with $$Amps?

05-18-12: Atmasphere
... its nice to have some dynamic range available, even if it does not get used all that much.

One of the widest dynamic range recordings in my collection (although there are many others that are close) is the Sheffield Labs recording of Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet," conducted by Erich Leinsdorf. Out of curiosity, a while back I examined its waveforms on a computer, using an audio editing program. The difference in volume between the loudest notes and the softest notes was around 55 db!

On that recording, and quite a few other classical symphonic pieces I have on high quality labels that tend to use minimal compression, I frequently measure brief peaks at my listening position in the 100 to 105 db area, using a Radio Shack digital SPL meter, although the average level is by no means particularly loud.

Those peaks are not nearly as loud, btw, as those I heard when I once listened from the very front row at Tanglewood to the Boston Symphony Orchestra performing that same Prokofiev work. My guess is that the peaks easily reached 115 db.

Best regards,
-- Al

".. its nice to have some dynamic range available, even if it does not get used all that much."

Not just dynamic range (difference between loudest and lowest levels) but headroom in general to go loud as needed even if the dynamic range is compressed, as it is in many if not most popular recordings out there these days.

Just watch your ears. Too much exposure to SPLs over mid 80's or so is generally acknowledged to damage hearing incrementally over time.

High efficiency speakers combined with high power amps might be the closest thing in audio to a weapon of mass destruction. Especially when accidents happen ( and they do happen). So be careful....

I was glad to hear that one agoner I know of moved to a more flea powered tube amp from a 500w/ch Class D shortly after adapting a pair of Avantgardes.

Kenneythekey, I'm impressed in the most incredible way by your willingness to travel all the way to the East Coast to hear the Hornings. Indeed, the bravo goes not to me, but you! It's exactly THAT kind of passion that makes this hobby so wonderful.

With RMAF so close, September might not fit the plans of either you or Jeff. But if you can swing it, the annual Feast of San Gennaro http://www.sangennaro.org/ is a very short walk, and something not to be missed. After San Francisco (never visited, but it holds the reputation), New York probably has the most interesting Chinatown in the country, and also sits right there. Still, the sight of the Brooklyn bridge right there at Jeff's place will likely move you in a big way.

Since you'll be out this way, if you care to travel 1.5 - 2 hours south to Philadelphia, you're welcome to give my Hornings a listen as well. Since our rooms are so different (brick/hard floor vs. drywall/carpet), the sonic presentation would likely reflect that.

Mapman, I'm not a low volume guy, but understand that's more the rule than the exception. To answer your other question, with the backloaded horns I have been around, yes, some SETs can do more volume than the more familiar push-pull amplifier.

Again, a sort of "coupling" that transcends wpc ratings may come into play. We know it's not electrical impedance in this case, but I don't think the word "impedance" in a different sense of the word misses the mark by far.

Another way to picture it could be the ability to propel the air that exists through the long length of the exponentially expanding horn forcefully enough so that it meaningfully adds to the impulse propelled from the surface of the driver itself. Obviously, I haven't worked it all out, and I've yet to meet someone who can explain it to me. It might be when comparing SET, PP, and OTL amplification, we're dealing with something like the whip versus the club; both of them powerful, but of a profoundly different nature.

Trelja,

Well, I haven't heard the Aristoteles because they haven't been at the RMAF show in Denver when I've gone, but got to hear their big brother the Eufrodites. I also have not heard the Rethm Maargas, so it makes sense to go to NY to hear both.

I'm sure that Jeff and Gideon can recommend amplifiers that won't break the bank.

Thanks for the invite to PA, but it will most likely be a short trip. My room is brick, plaster, and hardwood floors, so is that what you also have?

My wife and I were in NY (Queens) for ten days in the old neighborhood. Unfortunately, we had to take care of family business and could not get around, however, we feasted on local Italian every night. Yum.

It seems to make good , hard nosed economic sense, to go for High sensitivity speakers and low powered amps. High sensitivity speakers don't need to cost more, the cost maybe is reduced base output. High output, particularly with tubes, cost money, at least for reasonable quality.

I agree amp noise is an issue with plus 100db sensitivity horns, but personally, I have never liked horns. The sweetspot for me, is mid 90's, conventional box speakers. They sound great with as little as 10watts, but 20 seems a better, all round choice. My Dadalus DA-RMa speakers sound wonderful with the 20watt Ayon Spark and cheaper options like the Almarro 318B