2. amps-preamps
  3. 150690-2029

What Class D amps will drive a 2 ohm load

Just asking.

I see specs into 4 ohms but nothing into difficult speaker loads (like Thiel CS5's).

Thanks for listening, 

Dsper


dsper
dsper OP
663 posts
 
I just could not resist - sorry - My Thiels were $2,600 delivered about two years ago, so I think it is just silly to pay any more for speakers🙂! 

I have tried tried Class D amps from W4S and Audio Research with Maggie 3.6's, Thiel CS 3.6's, and Thiel CS5's in my listening room. In every case, they could not get the job done. I have looked at Nord but they do not double down into 2 ohms so I suspect they could sound lean as well.

Class D is attractive because of all the good reasons but still evolving, I guess. And maybe, at least for now, driving 2 ohm loads is not important to class D amp manufacturers.

Perhaps I will ask the question again in another couple years!

Thanks for listening,

Dsper

golfnutz
231 posts
 

@ricevs  - "I know someone using the Icepower IceEdge modules on his Thiel CS3.7's and he can blast it all he wants."

CS3.7 impedance has been measured at 2.4 - 2.8 ohms through most of the frequency range by Stereophile.

Icepower 1200AS1/2 has an minimum impedance of 2.7ohms.

I doubt very much the person you know using the $300 Icepower modules is getting anywhere near full potential on his speakers.

Back in the day (before internet sales), any experienced audio dealer wouldn't have sold an amp so badly unrated for this type of speaker. There's a reason both online reviews I've read suggest serious amps are required because these speakers are 'Pigs'.

I wouldn't be selling these modules to anyone using speakers with anything less than 4 ohms minimum.


mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Why do loudspeaker manufacturer's make ultra low impedance loudspeakers in the first place. lots of great speakers out there with easier loads to drive, many as good as, or better than Thiel. IMO.
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

IcePower is rating their module in a conservative way.  2.7 ohms is three 8 ohm drivers in parallel.  They are selling this amp for concert use and sub woofer use as well.  You don't want your loud concert shutting off because the amp is going into protection.  As I stated above, the IceEdge module measured 1000 watts into 2 ohms (1400 at 2.7 ohms) on the bench here yesterday.  It drives his Thiel 3.7 better than his previous Bryston and Modwright amps.  It is perfectly compatible. If you need more power than 1000 watts into 2 ohms then your speaker is really HARD to drive.  Certainly the JC1s will give you 2200 watts into 2 ohms.  But they do not sound that good by todays standard. 

There are many speakers around $2700 that would sound better and be easier to drive than an old CS5.  But, selling those speakers would be hard.

I could care less what class of amp will drive whatever speaker.  I have been using a 92 db speaker for years with a 25 watt class A amp.  Now I use my 600 watt a channel class D and get better sound.  I don't need 600 watts....25 was perfectly fine.  I just want the best sound possible.  As I said, I don't think low sensitivity, low impedance speakers make any sense.....not in todays world.  The times, they are a changing.

mrdecibel
3,065 posts
 
George, no negative comments here, please, but my point I am about to make is very relevant to the discussion, and just another person’s perspective. As most here who know me, I go wayyyyyy back with PWK and his Klipsch Heritage products. I have owned, borrowed, installed for others, and listened to, so many other speakers, and the same goes for power amplification. As much as I enjoy, and own, Heritage, I am certain, part of my enjoyment, comes from the driving amplifiers, simply " coasting along ". You do not hear a speaker, without a driving amp, nor, do you hear an amp, without a driven speaker. It is always, imo, and ime, the combination. Some of us hear an immediate " compression "; some of us hear certain " distortions "; some of us hear a lack of " damping " ( woofer control ), etc. If there are any questions, that reliable measurements cannot tell you, you simply need to try it....On another thread, I recommended to the readers, to read a review of the Peak Consult Dragon Legends, from Mono Stereo, last year, by the same reviewer who just reviewed the Merrill 118s, from Part Time Audiophile. After reading the Merrill review, and realizing I had read the speaker review a year and 1/2 earlier, I needed to read the speaker review, again. Richard Mak, the reviewer, does an excellent job, in both reviews, but, really highlights, greatly, the importance of the speaker / amplifier interaction, and most important, the expectations of the listener. Please read them both. Enjoy ! MrD.
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