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Picking an Open Baffle speaker for 2w SET amp - plus bonus question !?!

https://imgur.com/a/PCQXpKa

I recently purchased a Decware Zen Triode 2.3w amp and want to experience what an OB speaker sounds like - with a budget of $1000. I do own 2 REL T5 subs that could be put to use if needed, and from looking around, especially on the Decware site, one obvious choice would be a Caintuck OB with either a Betsy or Lii Fast-8” full range driver. Others on the user forum site rave about the Lii 15” driver (in the same baffle) for offering a much fuller sound.
Where I get confused is primarily if I should go with one of the 8” driver options or with the 15” big boy. I am guessing the answer will have a lot to do with my particular room situation, which is very restrictive and from what I have read not ideal for OB speakers.

I am hoping someone with more experience could take a look at my odd room (floor plan & a couple pics attached) and make an educated guess what would perform better in my set-up (15” or 8” plus sub).

There are two rooms I’d like to try this out in:
One is my office, a “tidy” 12x12’ box.
The other is the more complicated space, a living room with an interesting layout.
https://imgur.com/a/PCQXpKa
The bonus question:
Is it possible with the addition of another device (and what would that be??) to control / set a crossover frequency for the Decware amp, when connecting a sub via the speakers tabs from the amp?

nkphoto
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,854 posts
 
The early Decware amp I tried here (maybe 20 years ago) with a few speakers did not perform well with speakers rated for 10+ ohms (Coincident stand mount speakers), but was OK @ lower volumes with my then owned Reynaud Twins MkII (think they dropped down to 3.4. or so, ohms in some areas).

Unfortunately I never tried the Decware with any of my vintage wide range single drivers (though some of them are rated as being 16 ohm).

The Decware had an interesting (memorable) sound with the Reynaud's that had a similar quality to a Roger Modjeski EL84 based amp that I later tried (lighter in weight, but similar).

Anyway, should be a non issue as you have a later model Decware.

Steve Deckert once commented on the unusual deviation from how most tube amps perform in regard to the early model, but I forget the details (this was @ Audioasylum many years ago).

Cheap and fun (for new drivers in OB) would be the high QTS Betsy drivers in a half sheet of plywood (if they are still around $100/pair) plus your subs.

The problem for me is cutting holes for the drivers as I barely trust myself with a Dremel (let alone a router), though I'm still good/confident using a drill/scroll saw and finishing up with hand tools.

DeKay
mrotino
66 posts
 
I've actually recently ordered the 2.3 watt Decware integrated amplifier with a few modifications and the waiting list is about 10 months.  I have Spatial Audio X5 open baffle speakers that are 97 db 8 ohm speakers.  The woofers are powered by internal N core amplifiers so any amp powering them only drives them from 90 hz on up which should take some pressure off the external amplifier.  I already have two integrated amplifiers which are excellent and are around 30 watts/channel so the wait for me is not relevant.  I want to hear how a very low powered integrated tube amp would sound with my speakers so next year I'll see how it mates with my speakers.  Worst case if it isn't a good match I will send the Decware back.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,171 posts
 
Not suggesting by any stretch that this is a good pairing, but from everything I have read so far and what I am experiencing with the Gallo 3.1, those Betsy or Lii Audio 8" drivers with 94dB - 97dB efficiency + my REL sub(s) should be PLENTY sensitive for my NYC apartment situation, no?
@nkphoto Hard to say! With any SET that runs zero feedback, if you want to hear what the amp is all about, you really can't run the amp past about 20-25% of full power. If you do, it will start to sound 'loud' and 'dynamic'. This is because it will generate more higher ordered harmonic distortion above that power level, and the ear uses those harmonics to sense sound pressure. IOW both the loudness and dynamics are the result of distortion.


So you might think its 'loud' but may be no-where near loud enough to bother the neighbors.


You can get sound pressure level apps for your 'phone, which can be handy for letting you know how loud the system is actually playing.  At any rate the extra 10dB of the Lii drivers or the like will certainly be helpful!
nkphoto OP
44 posts
 
@mrotino Wow, those speakers, powered woofers. Next level (or next life) for me. Will be very interesting to hear what the little Decware will do for you. I hope you'll post your experience, would love to know how it fared compared to your 30 watts/channels.
@atmasphere this is really great info, exactly the kind of stuff I need to better understand. While I am getting more acquainted with some of the terminology, it's more in passing by while in all honesty I don't really understand the underlying fundamentals. Zero feedback? Higher ordered harmonic distortion? Anyways, I am adding your input to my ever increasing list of things I need to read up on. For now I am taking away that the more sensitive my speakers, the better for getting the most out of my amp. Thanks for your time!
danager's avatar
danager
983 posts
 
@bache because of the sound. It’s only two watts but what a spectacular two watts. It’s also really fun to shape the sound with tube rolling. This isn’t a 300b amp that you have to choose between quality tubes or a new car. I was able to update the rectifier for under $10, power tubes for $2 a piece. The input tube is a Russian 6N1p or 6922 so you can spend big bucks if you want but its not a requirement to sound good.

This is a bare bones integrated amp with two inputs. Has an input bios switch to adjust input tube depth and an impedance selector to further fine tune the sound based on your speaker.

This is a true audiophile amplifier that with the proper speaker selection can compete with any amp in the world... it might not win but it won’t be embarrassed.
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