Speaker sensitivity
April 30, 2007
The speakers I am considering have a specification for
sensitivity: 93dB. What does that mean? Is it important?
Randy Warrell
Sensitivity specifies how loud one loudspeaker will
play with a given input. Usually the input is 2.83 volts, which is 1W if the speaker
presents an 8-ohm load to the amplifier, and the distance the measurement is taken from is
often one meter. This means that in the case of the speaker you’re looking at, the
sound-pressure level (SPL) would be 93dB with just 1W from your amplifier. So, yes, that
specification certainly tells you something, although it’s not an indicator of sound
quality.
In recent years, many manufacturers have been
embellishing this figure rather generously, sometimes specifying it and then in small
print stating “two speakers,” or using an input signal greater than 2.83 volts.
There are other ways to fudge the number as well. As a result, you can be misled if you
just rely on the manufacturer’s claims and they're not backed up by an independent
third party.
However, we can also help you there. On our SoundStage! A/V sister site,
you will find a “Speaker Measurements” tab and listings for speakers that have
been measured at Canada’s National Research Council, one of the best facilities in
the world. Sensitivity is specified and, of course, it’s done correctly -- with just
one speaker, a 2.83V input signal, and from one meter.
A two-parter
April 26, 2007
I like your website. My apologies in advance for the long
e-mail.
Part 1: I recently moved to the US from the UK, leaving
behind my Arcam A65+ amp, NAD CD player and Jamo E875 floorstanders. I'm pretty happy with
my knowledge of the UK products available and auditioned many of them back home. But I'm
at a loss when it comes to the US/Canadian/Japanese equipment more readily available here.
I'm looking for a stereo system with floorstanders for around $3000. I've tended to find
that I can hear differences more easily with upgraded amps and speakers than with sources
-- so I would probably look to spend slightly more at that end. I listen to CDs of all
types of music (more rock, less rap/R&B). The room is medium sized, but the system
would need to be flexible. Could you point me in the direction of some manufacturers and
products (and vendors in the DC metro area if possible) that I should check out?
Part 2: The stereo aspect is most important, but I would
also like to hook up my TV/cable and PS3 to the amp (all HD). Is this likely to be
possible with a stereo amplifier? The cable is currently connected to the TV by component
and the PS3 by HDMI. How do I go about wiring all that up?
Tom
There are so many options available to you that there
is almost no good place to start! Well, there is one good place to start: with your
potential dealers. First, take a look in your local phone book, or perhaps something like
Yahoo’s Yellow Pages, and find out who is close to you. From there you should be able
to compile a list of vendors and brands, and from there you can begin your research.
Reading reviews online can help you decide on some products you’d like to seek out (a
good source is http://soundstageav.com/avreviews_speakers.html),
and visiting the dealers to hear one thing can often lead to hearing something you did not
know about going in.
As for specific brands and models to start with: I’d
take a look at Thiel speakers. A speaker like the CS1.6 would be a fine choice, and would
establish a benchmark for you to compare against. Models from Paradigm and PSB are also
good alternatives, and with your budget you could get into their upper-line models. Revel
makes some fine floorstanders as well, and they do have a new line in your price range. I
guess the key is to find out who is selling what near you and go from there.
Once you have a handle on the speakers you can match
the electronics to them (that is the best way to go about building a system). I’d
suggest an integrated amplifier for its potential sound quality. Unfortunately, finding
one with an HDMI input is going to be next to impossible. You could go the receiver route,
and have the connectivity to satisfy your gaming and cable requirements, and that may be a
good option, but some of the receivers out there don’t sound as good as comparable
integrated amps. This is a tradeoff you’ll have to sort through. You may even try
using the PS3 as a source for a while. I know a couple of people doing just that and they
are quite taken with its sound.
Upgrade fever
April 23, 2007
Last year I purchased a pair of Axiom M50 speakers to go
with my Marantz
SR4200, a receiver you reviewed favorably back in 2002. I've now caught the upgrade
bug and I am considering the following options: (1) the Outlaw RR2150, (2) the NAD
C320BEE, or (3) the NAD L53 DVD/CD receiver. I have an approx. 20' x 15' x 8' listening
room, normally listen at relatively lower volumes and prefer a slightly warmer sound.
Source is a Marantz DV4200, and I plan on hooking up my iPod as well. So I'm wondering,
which of the three choices would you recommend, or should I just stick with the SR4200? Or
is there yet another option I haven't considered?
P.S., I wrote in once before for speaker cable
recommendations and you suggested Axioms, which turned out very nicely. Much appreciated!
Mike
My preference would be the NAD C320BEE, though I also
like the Outlaw Audio receiver as well. I don’t think the L53 would be a sufficient
upgrade for you. The Marantz unit that you have is no slouch, though I would wager that
the amplifier section in either of the other options would be superior to it. A better
amplifier will generally give you the type of performance upgrade you are looking for, I
think, and you have two winners in your sights. I’d say your research is spot on, and
I think you’ll be happy with either unit you choose.
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