running multiple speakers

[curiousburke]

Hi All,
I haven't posted in awhile, mostly been lurking and getting lots of good info from old posts, but I thought my current dilemma might be of interest or at least worth a comment to tell me I have no ear.

I have been A/B'ing two speaker options that are very different, the Energy RC-10s versus Orb Audio's Classic 2.1 (2 balls on each side + sub). I like both systems well enough. The RC-10's have really nice output within a good but restricted frequency range; the Orbs span a broader range, but sound a little empty compared with the RC-10's. I think this is lack of mid-bass but I'm a newbie.

The sound I really like is when I run them both at the same time. The RC-10's fill in the gap and smooth the transition between the sub and the highs, and this combo sounds very nice to me.

So, my questions: what am I hearing when running a bunch of speakers at once that sounds so nice and what would I need to get this sound without using multiple systems? Or, do people use several "full" range speakers at once? Would a dual 5" driver speak like the Ascends sound similar? I don't care too much about imaging since I rarely sit in one place specifically to listen to music.

thanks,
Mark

[j dan vignau]

If speakers have a flat frequency response, you can use more than one set without multiplying the effects of a poor freq. response. I have had B&W DM 14s for nearly three decades and they have a flat (<1/2 db from 100-19000Hz) and double up well, especially with an amp that doubles power into 4 ohms. Their main deficiency is in extremely quick responses such as acoustic piano and snare drums because the mid/woofer cones are heavy. I added Acoustat Electrostatics (Exceptionally quick) to a pair of the B&Ws and used this for a couple of years with very interesting results. You can add volumn and presence to flat speakers or make up for deficiencies in others. When I upgraded the Acoustat woofs, I no longer used the B&Ws with them but I still use stacked B&Ws for my game room. The most important issue is whether they sound good. In addition, you are more than likely gaining power and presence with more drivers and fewer ohms.

[RoadRunner6]

"..........2 balls on each side + sub.........."

I'm not going to touch this thread with a ten foot pole!


RR6

[RoadRunner6]

OK, I'll be serious for a minute.

It looks like you are trying to stay in the $600 range for a stereo system that is on the small side.

I think your evaluation of the Orb system might be correct in that there could be a significant dip in the frequency response where the balls crossover to the sub (Oh there we go again). That is very common in systems with a small satellite type speaker and a sub. This depends on the specific room accoustics in your listening area.

I highly recommend you go with a sub with the Energy RC-10's. The Energy's are a very nice speaker. They are probably fairly flat down to about 60Hz or so. You are missing that important lower bass in music area below 60Hz. A sub will fill out that important bass area and really add full spectrum sound. This might put you over your budget. Here are a couple of suggestions.

See if this might help price wise if you can go for the lower priced finish.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENRC10

The Outlaw LFM-2 is a great musical sub for $299. The photo here does not do it justice. It has an inlaid plexiglass top that is simply stunning. I have the big brother, LFM-1 Plus and my wife thinks it is georgeous. I have recommended it to several friends and they are very impressed. It goes down below 30 Hz quite flat.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm2.html

Another option is the M2i from Axiom Audio, another Canadian company, This one is also direct to buyer. I own these particular speakers in a custom black piano glass finish. These are great speakers and in the same sound class as the Energy's (but they are flat only down to about 75Hz). I would crossover both the Energy and the Axiom's at about 80-90 Hz for a good smooth blend with no dips.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m2.html

I don't recommend running two separate speaker systems together.

RR6

[filecat13]

there could be a significant dip in the frequency response where the balls crossover

RR6

You mean like "YEEE-O-oow!




Also, I agree: don't run two systems together.

[hydroman]

I ran two sets wired in parallel with good results. BUT it was an NAD amp which sounded even better running at 4ohm load. If you have a good/high qaulity amp section it should be fine.