B&W and NAD
October 18, 2004
I'm researching a budget monitor setup for a DIY studio.
I've seen many, many second-hand amps and speakers now, and I've been most interested by a
NAD 304 coupled with B&W 601s. Does this sound like a quality setup? We're in the UK
and have around £150 ($260) to spend on the amp and speakers.
Alasdair
The NAD 304 was last manufactured in 1996 and began its
run in '93, so it does have a bit of age on it. As long as it is in good working
condition, though, you should be OK. Its 35Wpc are modest by today's standards, but NAD
has always been known to under-rate their amplifiers. They're presumably
"honest" watts, meaning that the power will go a long way. As long as you don't
listen at too high a volume in your studio, the NAD should drive those 8-ohm B&Ws just
fine.
Cambridge SoundWorks speakers
October 15, 2004
I am considering buying Cambridge SoundWorks Classic Tower
speakers. I currently have a pair of 18-year-old JSE Infinite Slope 1s. What is your
opinion as to the relative merits of each and what is your overall opinion of Cambridge
SoundWorks Classic Towers? My primary use is listening to music -- fairly eclectic tastes.
Tom P.
I have no personal experience with the Classic Tower
speakers, or any of the CSW products for that matter. A reviewer on our sister site, Home Theater & Sound,
did review the Cambridge SoundWorks Newton MC300 home-theater speaker system back in
February of 2001 and found the system to be quite good. The company has been around for
some time and I've heard no negative remarks about them. Sorry I can't be of more help.
RadioShack SPL meter correction chart
October 13, 2004
I have a RadioShack SPL meter for calibrating my subwoofer.
I know there is a chart for correcting the values that the meter reads. Do you have the
chart? I'd like to be as accurate as possible.
Jeff
Here is the chart, courtesy of www.svsubwoofers.com. Just add the
below values to your readings for each frequency.
12Hz add 16.5dB
16Hz add 11.5dB
20Hz add 7.5dB
25Hz add 5dB
31.5Hz add 3dB
40Hz add 2.5dB
50Hz add 1.5dB
63Hz add 1.5dB
80Hz add 1.5dB
100Hz add 2dB
125Hz add .5dB
SV Subwoofers has additional information on the Radio Shack
meter here.
High pass or low pass?
October 11, 2004
I always get confused about whether I need a high-pass or
low-pass crossover for hooking up my subwoofer to take the strain off my speakers. Can you
clarify this for me?
Reggie
You'll cross over your subwoofer using a low-pass filter
-- passing the low frequencies to the sub and filtering out the highs. You'll use a
high-pass crossover to send the highs to your main speakers. All powered subwoofers will
have a low-pass crossover. Some, if not most, have a high-pass crossover which allows you
to send a signal to your speakers from the subwoofer. A home-theater receiver accomplishes
both goals -- dividing the frequencies up for both the sub and your main speakers -- once
you activate its bass-management facilities.
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