I'm curious what if any small bookshelf/desktop full-range no-crossover speakers are there with decently high sensitivity
(say 91db/1w or more) that are for sale retail?
(say 91db/1w or more) that are for sale retail?
Good question. I'd say at least 80-15K response. That 10p def does it. Not sure about max litres size. hmmm...
Last edited by a moderator:
Is there a particular reason you want high sensitivity? Flea-watt amp for something?
Finding something retail that's going to fit on a desktop might me a challenge.
jeff
Finding something retail that's going to fit on a desktop might me a challenge.
jeff
yes because I'm a firm believer that the magic in music comes in the first few watts and it's easier to make a good sounding low power amp than a higher powered one. I've owned both high power amps since the Adcom/NAD/Hafler days and I've owned 300B tube amps and Decware flea watt tube amps and an early Tripath TA2020 amp, plus built various speakers of all manner - TL, backhorn, OB, etc. Even the Frugel-horn here. I've always preferred the higher sensitivity speakers.
Now I'm more interested in Class-D amps purely in how good they sound in the first 5 watts or so. Just my opinion ymmv.
reg retail, yes I know, that's why I asked ;-) I realize I'm prob gonna just build something, but I'm still curious what's out there that's ready-made.
Now I'm more interested in Class-D amps purely in how good they sound in the first 5 watts or so. Just my opinion ymmv.
reg retail, yes I know, that's why I asked ;-) I realize I'm prob gonna just build something, but I'm still curious what's out there that's ready-made.
I cannot disagree. How much power do you have? Amp?
A10p is pretty happy with 2A3 SET if room and levels required are not over-large.
Less sensitivity if you have 10w or so.
dave
Shopping for one most likely will be based on TPA3250 or MA12070 so will have enough power for nearly anything.
I'm assuming the newer chips sound better than the older, lower powered class-d chips like 3116/3118/3221 even in the first 5 watts, is this true?
I mean provided they have decent design and build implementation.
I think the first few watts from class D sounding better than the rest might be wishfull thinking. 😉
And, with 25 watts/channel, a high sensitivity driver is a bit mute. I get it if you're running a single tube class A.
jeff
And, with 25 watts/channel, a high sensitivity driver is a bit mute. I get it if you're running a single tube class A.
jeff
I don't agree. The high sensitivity drivers don't "pull" as much power from the amps, but this is less important than they are just better (in general) at producing micro-dynamics and low level details (think headphones) and have less distortion for various reasons, one is they have less cone excursion.
But I agree that these allow more choices like min +89db/1w instead of min +94db/1w speakers you might need if using say a 3 watt tube amp.
Class-d is just where the majority of the $ /R&D is going on, not unlike advances in PC/phone CPUs/chips, so they will continue to get better and higher quality per dollar spent. This I like and prefer to support this direction. Better sound most people can afford.
I'm all ears if you wanna recommend other amp(s) that sounds good/better in the first 5-10 watts with reasonable cost.
I'm not claiming class-D design is best in general or always it's all relative to design, implementation, and costs.
I really have no interest in class D, so I wouldn't know if there were any advances sonically. I see fancy looking high power modules for sale, but what use is 200 watts/channel going to be for the desktop? Not saying you shouldn't try this thou. Lot's of people using little class D amps, going by some recent youtube posts. You certainly can't beat the low cost.
I borrowed Dave's little ACA monoblocks a while ago, and decided to try them on my desktop. They were pretty decent sounding, and would be a cost effective option.
jeff
I borrowed Dave's little ACA monoblocks a while ago, and decided to try them on my desktop. They were pretty decent sounding, and would be a cost effective option.
jeff
Last edited:
the stuff I'm looking at is around 30watts/ch RMS. I don't really care about the more powerful stuff since I will never use it. Well for subwoofer OK.
Well it won't cost much to try it. The choice of speakers is yours, and Dave's rec. is a good one. They just won't be small. 😉
jeff
jeff
gnat_leader’s assumption does not consider the significant number of compromises in any system. Keying on one small thing to the exclusion of all the rest leaves you wide open for a smack down, which the wrong combo of execution, design, detail, room & taste play huge roles.
It is a system.
I am sort of with Jeff on any Class D amplifiers ability at dealing with the really important small stuff that the best small amplifiers do. I am willing & waiting to be surprised, Class D habe improved greatly by fits and bumps, but i have yet to hear the top of class yet.
dave
It is a system.
I am sort of with Jeff on any Class D amplifiers ability at dealing with the really important small stuff that the best small amplifiers do. I am willing & waiting to be surprised, Class D habe improved greatly by fits and bumps, but i have yet to hear the top of class yet.
dave
Ditto! Nowadays though for inefficient drivers a class A/B amp is required with 10 W max IME for class A and as many watts as required to cover the desired dynamic headroom, which in at least a few recordings are 'clipped' +30 dB = 1 kW! Though historically only = +20 dB IIRC = 100 W + however much is required to reach the desired average/peak SPL loss over distance.
I thought this thread was about listening nearfield on the desktop?
jeff
jeff
Faital PRO 3FE22-8(3" FR) is good because it has 91 dB/w.m.
There is no grating sound when listening in the near field.
There is no grating sound when listening in the near field.
True... you can get away with relatively low power and low sensitivity speakers when you listen to the near field.
My desktop amp is 50w and the mini-monitors have sensitivity of only 84dB/W/m.... but I doubt I ever have to turn the volume knob very loud. I've driven them with ACAs as well ( 8w ).
However, for living room duty, I am curious about those high sensitivity speakers as well. I do have some low power amps that sound great but just don't drive any of my speakers in that room.
That was the point I was trying to get across earlier, but I understand the OP's desire for more efficient speakers.
jeff