Matching Speakers with Components

[Billiam62]

Last Fall my 13 year old Cambridge Audio CD player bit the dust. Have been using an even older Teac in the interim. Just bought a new Yamaha CD S 300 player. The sound of this thing blows away either of the older players by far. Also added the Pangea AC 14 XL power cable to it.

I have noted the sound is now more layered and instruments have even more air around them than before. Detail is great. I know hear notes and sounds I never heard before or could barely hear. The sound is also warmer than before.

I am going to purchase a new pair of speakers in April. I prefer a neutral sound but don't mind a warm midrange or high end. Hate bright sounding speakers.

Should I buy a neutral sounding speaker to insure the sound won't get any warmer at present? Or if I purchase a warm sounding speaker such as the Wharfedale Denton's will it only enhance the warm sound and amplify it? I don't want the sound to be any warmer than it is right now with my Jamo C 601 speakers.

[Hyfi]

What is the amplification? What's your budget?

[Billiam62]

Using a Dayton DTA 120. Best sounding amp I've owned. Very clean. I only listen at low to moderate levels.

Have narrowed down my speaker choices to the Wharfedale Diamond 220 which is a pretty neutral sounding speaker, Wharfedale Denton's 80th Anniversary speaker which is a warm speaker, NHT Superone 2.1 which is a neutral to slightly warm sounding speaker and maybe the Magnapan MMG.

Have to use a speaker that has near wall placement. Precisely why I've picked the above. After extensive research these are the best choices in my price range. May go to $500 to $600 if my tax return will permit it. Otherwise will be staying under $400 for a pair.

[blackraven]

That Dayton amp will not drive the MMG's and will probably fry the amp over time. I own MMG's and 1.6's. I also own a wonderful Dayton DTA-100a amp that drives a pair of Monitor Audio S1's. Be careful with some of the Wharfedale speakers as many have low speaker Sensitivities of 85-87 dB at 4ohm's and it will present a difficult load for the Dayton amp. Same goes for some of the NHT models.

I would consider a pair of Focal 700 series or Monitor Audio BX series if you are worried about warm. Paradigm Mini Monitors would also be a good choice. Personally, I like a slightly warm sounding speaker, it is more forgiving of poorly recorded music and more pleasing to my ears.



Focal Chorus 706V Bookshelf Speakers (Pr) at Music Direct

Monitor Audio Bronze BX 1 2 Way Bookshelf Speakers-Audio Advisor

Also, check out saturdayaudio they have great deals on closeout speakers. These Monitor Audio BX-2's are a good deal and they have very good reviews. They are not warm but neutral sounding and have a Sensitivity of 90dB. They will play loud and not stress that Dayton amp. I bought a pair of MA S1's and PSB B6's from them a few years ago.

Saturday Audio Exchange- Monitor Audio Sales

[Billiam62]

BR. As always, sound advice. Thanks.

Warm sounding is OK also just not too warm. Slightly warm is going to work fine in the room I will be using. Plaster walls and hardwood floors. Thus, any hint of brightness will likely sound like someone clawing a blackboard with a sharp metal object.

My Jamo Speakers are rated at 6 ohm and 86 db sensitivity. The Dayton drives them just fine. Only need to put the volume at 10 O'Clock to have plenty of sound to keep me happy. Higher and it starts to get pretty loud.

I will check to see what speakers are comparable in that regard.

I seem to recall that for every 3 db increase in audio level, you double the wattage at least where radio watts are concerned. Does this hold true for audio sound levels? Would a 8 ohm speaker at 89 db for example be easier to drive with the Dayton than a 6 ohm at 86 db? The amp seems to be rated at 40 wpc at 8 ohms, 50 wpc at 6 ohms and 60 wpc at 4 ohms.

What do you think the minimum sensitivity for 4 ohms would allow me to use the Dayton?

[Billiam62]

BR. Denton's are 6 ohm at 86 db according to the MD website. Diamond 220's are 8 ohm at 86 db. Could that present a problem at 8 ohm vs. the 6 ohm Denton's?