Looking at the Sterephile simulated speaker load FR/Impedance diagram, you can see the lowest impedance is 6 ohm, vs the 2.6 ohm of the Focal. So their simulated speakers isn't as difficult to drive. WIth the Focal, the AR amp would have a higher variation, and you can figure out by how much using the equations from the Benchmark article.
Damping Factor - Interesting article
Benchmark Media published interesting article on Damping Factor. I already knew that it does not make much difference for the damping of the membrane, but low output impedance is necessary to drive changing impedance ot the speaker (ideal voltage source). According to this article DF=100 produces about 0.5dB variations typically, while DF=200 reduces it to 0.1dB. DF above 200 is inaudible.
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-damping-factor-isnt-much-of-a-factor?omnisendAttributionID=email_campaign_5eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2&omnisendContactID=5cf9266b15b61cc5a2a4dee7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+AUDIO+MYTH+-+%22DAMPING+FACTOR+ISN%27T+MUCH+OF+A+FACTOR%22+%285eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend
https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-damping-factor-isnt-much-of-a-factor?omnisendAttributionID=email_campaign_5eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2&omnisendContactID=5cf9266b15b61cc5a2a4dee7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+AUDIO+MYTH+-+%22DAMPING+FACTOR+ISN%27T+MUCH+OF+A+FACTOR%22+%285eda3b728a48f72deaf34bf2%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend
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- 70 posts total
The Focal is an interesting speaker to chose, since I've analyzed at least one model in depth, and let me tell you, it deliberately dropped the impedance. No doubt in my mind that having a low impedance was a crossover design goal. Since then I've seen they have a remarkably similar profile in many of their speakers, and it does make a difference. It makes a speaker seem more "discerning" of amplifiers. "My Focal must be better because I can hear the difference in amps." is the message. Still, people don't want to chat about that, there are many other high end speakers which brush with low impedance. From B&W to your average ESL. The Stereophile simulated speaker load is more forgiving than some, but you can still see the impedance dependent effects there if you look at a tube amp review. The principle is the same, if not as large. Best, E |
I just looked at the speaker load Stereophile uses: https://www.stereophile.com/reference/60/index.html That is a very easy to drive load compared to a lot of the speakers they review today, or are typical. I wrote to them in the hopes they update it. This speaker is a much more typical load: https://www.stereophile.com/content/bowers-amp-wilkins-804-diamond-loudspeaker I am 100% sure they will ignore me. It's' my impression (with no formal data) that speakers have tended towards harder-to-drive as SS amplifiers got bigger, beefier and more expensive. Even the DIY speakers I make have a tough time staying above 3 Ohms to get decent sensitivity out of them. |
@bifwynne Benchmark selected 8 ohm speaker with 13 - 2.6 ohm impedance variation. One ohm of output impedance would reduce signal to 13/14 and 2.6/3.6 respectively. Ratio of reduced signals would be 1.286 (28.6% difference) = 2.18dB It would be much less for my 6ohm speakers that have minimum impedance of 3.6ohm |
Today I received the Benchmark StarQuad XLR that is referenced in this article. They are replacing 2 Audience Au24 and Au24 SE cables that cost over $1000 combined some years back. The 2 StarQuad’s were $200. It should be an interesting comparison. I expect no difference with my Benchmark gear but audible difference with other gear. |
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