Recent content by chris661

Tell me, have you ever measured the power output of your amplifier under normal listening levels? Chris

Perhaps, but it illustrates my point. When speakers are as non-linear as they are, IMO they ought to get the most attention if high-fidelity sound is the goal. Chris

I don't know. To me it seems like polishing a small scratch out of the front of a car, when the back half has been worked over with a sledgehammer. Chris

Pick a decent amp with the connectivity you like, and you'll be fine. The differences between amplifiers are grossly over-stated: http://matrixhifi.com/ENG_contenedor_ppec.htm I like my CXA80. Chris

I simply don't understand this. Could you expand a little as to why? IME, good speakers are much much better than bad ones, while the differences between high-end and entry-level amplifiers are much smaller. There are lots of reports of testing between amplifiers etc (here's one...

My point isn't so much about the size of the speaker, but what the design priorities were. The Danley speakers focus very strongly on controlled directivity and putting sound where it should be, thereby avoiding nearby reflections etc. Conventional HiFi speakers do not. In my opinion, if you...

It would be nice if you'd considered there might be some truth to my reply, instead of claiming it's the same as wearing headphones incorrectly. Take this Danley speaker, for example: https://www.danleysoundlabs.com/products/loud-speakers/synergy-horn/sh50/ It's not a small box, that's for...

Sounds like you're far more into headphones than me! I'm happy to bow to your knowledge of high-end headphones - it's not something I've investigated much. My selection are as follows: - 2x Shure SRH840 - SRH1440 - Bose 700 Which probably gives you an idea of where I am in the headphone world...

This is a common mindset, but IMO misplaced. Class D or G (or H) are both capable of sounding very very good. What matters is how well implemented they are. £10 amplifiers from China, with too-small output inductors, feedback taken pre-filter, and HF mash everywhere? Probably not gonna sound...

Afraid I have to disagree with Bigfish above. Different speakers absolutely can make a big positive difference, even positioned where other speakers struggle. The speakers you seek have controlled directivity, meaning they are designed to have some control over where the sound does/doesn't go...

FWIW, I'd be much more likely to spend £99 on an amp (though I'd certainly be looking for used gear for that price) and £1000 on the speakers. The speakers really do make the biggest difference. My ideal split would probably be more like 80:20, though. With regards to headphones, I'm certain...

Some thoughts: - I like my Shure SRH840s, and the 1540s are apparently a good upgrade. I'm not surprised you liked them, and IMO they wouldn't be a bad purchase at all. - IMO, the "need" for headphone amps is seriously over-rated around here. Headphones, by nature, are pretty easy to "drive"...

Well, I'd argue that active speakers are better full stop. An amplifier channel per driver means direct control over the cones (instead of a crossover network that decouples the amplifier), and you'll get proper limiting and driver-specific EQ. None of that happens with a passive speaker...

I've used the CXA80 for a while, and I don't think you'll have any trouble with the CXA81. Just plenty of good clean power and some useful connectivity. For a small room, I'd typically recommend a pair of small speakers and a compact subwoofer. The reason for that is the small speakers won't...

I did a write-up of the Bose 700 Headphones around here. They're very good, and handle everything I've thrown at them well, including dubstep like Truth or Kaiju. That said, they won't vibrate your skull. Something with tactile transducers built-in might be worth a look for you. SkullCandy do...