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Matching Speakers to amp

I currently own a PSA Stellar 300 paired with Focal Aria 926. I just picked up a used pair of Quad S-5 and I will be comparing the sound. I am not good a using technical specs to compare so I could use some help if anyone has the time to take a look at the amp & speaker specs below and give me some feedback I would greatly appreciate.
The basic question is: from a specification standpoint which speaker pairs up with the Stellar 300 best?


Stellar 300
Gain30.5dB +/-0.5dB Sensitivity for rated output power1.01V Noise1kHz@300 Watts <-100dB Input impedance S300Unbalanced 50KΩ
Balanced 100KΩ Input impedance M700Unbalanced 50KΩ
Balanced 100KΩ Output Impedance50Hz, 2.8VRMS <0.007Ω Damping factor50Hz. 2.8VRMS
8Ω >1100
4Ω >550 Frequency Response@2.8VRMS
10Hz – 20KHz +/- 0.5dB
10Hz – 50KHz +0.1/-3.0dB
Output PowerBoth channels driven 120vac mains, 1kHz, 1% THD 8Ω140W minimum 4Ω300W minimum 2Ω Stable for musical transients

Quad S-5
General description 3-way floorstanding speaker
Enclosure type ABR
Transducer complement 3-way ABR 165mm x3 Bass driver 165mm Woven Carbon fibre Cone x2
Midrange driver 125mm Woven Carbon fibre Cone Treble driver 12 x 45 mm
True Ribbon Sensitivity (2.83V @ 1m) 90dB
Recommended amplifier power 25-175W Peak SPL 112dB
Nominal impedance 6Ω
Minimum impedance 3.2Ω
Frequency response (+/-3dB) 42Hz ~ 23kHz Bass extension (-6dB) 35Hz Crossover frequency 570Hz & 3.2kHz

Focal 926
Speaker driversTwo 61/2" (16.5cm) Flax bass61/2" (16.5cm) Flax midrange1" (25mm) Al/Mg TNF inverted dome tweeterFrequency response (+/- 3dB)45Hz - 28kHzLow
frequency point - 6 dB37HzSensitivity (2.83V / 1m)91.5dBNominal impedance8 OhmsMinimum impedance2.9 OhmsRecommended amplifier power40 - 250WCrossover frequency290Hz / 2400Hz











128x128jbuhl
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
"The basic question is: from a specification standpoint which speaker pairs up with the Stellar 300 best?"

The question was not what amplifier(s) best suits these speakers. The question was which of the two speakers best suits the amplifier. As mentioned earlier, given the similarities between the two speakers’ specifications, you’d just need to listen to both and compare the two in your room and decide which one sounds better to YOU. I haven’t heard the Quads but if the Focal 926 sounds anywhere near what 936 sounds like, I’d guess you’ll like them better. Given that you have them all in your home, this appears to be a no brainer approach. Let us know how you make out.
jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl OP
990 posts
 
Yeah just looking at the numbers nothing jumped out at me as being wildly different twix the 2 speakers.  So I expected a response to be "They close".    Now I am excited to see if I can tell the difference between Focal downward facing  bass ports and flax cones vs Quad's kevlar cones, ribbon tweeters and rear facing auxilary bass radiators.   One thing I really like is the classic fit and finish on the Quads. 
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Keep both and put them in separate rooms! Run longer speaker wire to one pair and manually switch from the amp using banana plugs. Both are equally deserving of ownership!
johnkent3
63 posts
 
Georgehifi is totally incorrect with his response.

I have dynaudio focus 160s being driven by a stellar s300, with a naim nac 202 preamp. The bass is endless, and the amp absolutely SINGS with these tough to drive dyns which have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, sensitivity of 85db. 

The bass abilities of the amp are absolutely incredible....It seems like it should weigh 100 pounds, given how it controls the speakers.

I've driven these speakers with everything from adcom monoblocs to a luxman and the stellar does a better job than anything i've had in this system.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,410 posts
 
.@johnkent3...…………………………………….

As George said, they will NOT do 2 ohms, 4 ohms is a different matter entirely
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