Peter_s,
For the smaller amplifiers, satisfactory output is possible, but the speakers still need to be broken in with at least a 50W/channel amplifier (8 Ohm rating), which improves the sound at both high volumes and at very soft ones.
The results with a high-quality SET amp of less than ten watts are adequate for listening in a smaller room, or within ten feet, for modest SPL's up to 90dB peak- which is not very loud. But loud enough for most music in a quiet room. Try before you buy, of course, is the best advice, but we do have several dealers who routinely demo on very small amplifiers!
The speakers are rated 88dB for 2.83Volts input at one meter on pink noise, without room gain. In other words- average sensitivity. The key I feel, to useful levels from a small amplifier is that the speaker's drivers be dynamically responsive with little compression of the peaks. Also, when a speaker is not time-coherent, we see that the peak-to-average SPL ratios are reduced- those speakers sound more compressed.
Unsound-
The Equal-legged Tee layout we recommend is a good starting point. It is very doubtful anyone would prefer the cabinets wider apart than that, w/respect to a solid center image.
"Equal-legged Tee": If speakers are 12' apart, then you should be 12' back from the center point of that line connecting them. This results in an included angle of about 53 degrees (60 degrees = equilateral triangle). We believe this is the angle where the ears begin to have their highest acuity, and roughly equal to the angle at which our eyes, looking straight ahead, lose acuity. We have tried this 53 degree separation on many other speakers with success- I don't think this is unique to our products/design philosophy. This explanation is in our manuals.
The few companies that recommend really wideset placement are, I believe, creating more "channel separation", via throwing a larger acoustic shadow on the opposite ear. This is most often recommended by two-spaced-mid designs- in those, of course the sound from the upper mid leaks over the top of the head to the opposite ear, in a different fashion than the mid below ear level leaks under the head. And this difference is quite noticeable with small head movements. Spreading those speakers far apart reduces this effect, but still makes for a one-person speaker.
Tennisjunky, Bombaywalla-
Thanks for your comments! Glad you are enjoying them!
Best regards,
Roy
