Speaker Impedance and low watt amp

69.112.140.55

Posted on March 15, 2017 at 14:37:17

oldngrumpy
Audiophile

Posts: 23
Joined: August 12, 2016

I have a 12wpc Leben CS300. I'm saving up for more efficient speakers (Devore most likely) but in the meantime I'd like to run the Leben through my old Acoustic Energy Aesprit 300.

Now the Efficiency is 87.5 dB/W which is fine because I never listen above 70 dB in my tiny listening room anyway.

The Impedance is 8 Ohms with minimum of 6 Ohms. The Leben has a 6 Ohm tap so I want to use that for the speakers instead of 8 Ohms.

Does that make sense? Should I use the 8 Ohm tap? Thanks for your help.

OldnGrumpy

OldnGrumpy

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Thank you, 91derlust, russ69 and Frihed89.

oldngrumpy

07:27:52 03/18/17

2

RE: Thank you, 91derlust, russ69 and Frihed89.

Mr Peabody

19:02:07 03/18/17

RE: Thank you, Mr Peabody

oldngrumpy

11:51:20 03/19/17

...

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Thank you, 91derlust, russ69 and Frihed89.

oldngrumpy

07:27:52 03/18/17

2

RE: Thank you, 91derlust, russ69 and Frihed89.

Mr Peabody

19:02:07 03/18/17

RE: Thank you, Mr Peabody

oldngrumpy

11:51:20 03/19/17

RE: Speaker Impedance and low watt amp

91derlust

01:51:01 03/16/17

RE: Speaker Impedance and low watt amp

russ69

15:43:47 03/15/17

Yes, this can be tricky business

Frihed89

01:03:25 03/16/17

RE: Speaker Impedance and low watt amp, posted on March 15, 2017 at 15:43:47
russ69 Audiophile Posts: 951 Joined: December 13, 2009	Try both.

Yes, this can be tricky business, posted on March 16, 2017 at 01:03:25

Frihed89
Audiophile

Posts: 15703
Location: Copenhagen
Joined: March 21, 2005

Experiment. You have to listen to a lot of different kinds of music to get a sense of what is happening in these cases.

If you had the electrical load and phase angle curves for your speakers that might make it possible for you to understand what you hear. When a mfr. quotes nominal impedance, one has virtually nothing to go on.

I'm pretty sure you will be OK on simple music (singer-songwriter/acoustic stuff), but Mahler-like symphonic music will probably not be at its best.

RE: Speaker Impedance and low watt amp, posted on March 16, 2017 at 01:51:01

91derlust
Audiophile

Posts: 1101
Joined: December 25, 2014

Okay, bear with me, I've been consuming some nice Barossa red, so this post might be typo-tastic...

Firstly, I can echo others' suggestions to just try both and see how you go. In short, either should satisfy your volume requirements.

What I'd like to advise is some rough figures to give you some confidence of exploring your path. If you listen at average 70db at the listening seat, you will - depending on music - at worst be hitting peaks of 90db or so... at the listening seat. You'll lose a couple of db due to distance, and gain a couple due to stereo and room gain. I reckon if - with your amp of choice - you can generate a 90db from a single speaker, you are in with a good chance. So, your amp can generate about 10(+)db (3db per doubling of power); added to your speaker that is 97db or so... I reckon you are good to go. You might lose or gain as much as 5db depending on your unique situation... but all seems fine.

I'd guess the 6 Ohm taps might best: lower distortion (and better damping) for a little less power, but your amps are already pretty low distortion, so?.. Ultimately, amps, speakers and rooms comprise a system, producing tunes that are interpreted by humans, with their funk and foibles. Either tap should work sufficiently for you - and may even give a touch of headroom - give both a crack!

Cheers,
91.

"Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems to characterise our age." Albert Einstein

Thank you, 91derlust, russ69 and Frihed89., posted on March 18, 2017 at 07:27:52
oldngrumpy Audiophile Posts: 23 Joined: August 12, 2016	I will listen carefully. OldnGrumpy

RE: Thank you, 91derlust, russ69 and Frihed89., posted on March 18, 2017 at 19:02:07

Mr Peabody
Audiophile

Posts: 1109
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Joined: August 14, 2010

When I had some CJ amps converted to mono my speakers were 6 ohm, at the time of conversion I could have either a 4 or 8 ohm tap. I went with 4 ohm based on the factory recommendation, as 91 mentioned it is a bit better damping factor. Which ever you choose wouldn't cause an issue for your system electrically.

You might also take a look at Sonist Speakers, nice sounding high efficiency speaker with a ribbon tweeter.

RE: Thank you, Mr Peabody, posted on March 19, 2017 at 11:51:20
oldngrumpy Audiophile Posts: 23 Joined: August 12, 2016	Much appreciated. I emailed AE and asked if they had impedance and phase angle curves on file. Fingers crossed. OldnGrumpy

Speaker Asylum

Speaker Impedance and low watt amp

69.112.140.55