Focal Chora 826 + marantz sr 5012

[Focalglazer]

Hi, I'm a 16-year-old who made a regrettable purchase. I bought the Focal Chora 826, thinking they would pair well with my Denon DRA-800H. However, it seems the DRA-800H has subpar power measurements, and the Focal Chora 826, despite their appealing specifications, aren't forgiving at all. They demand a significant amount of current, especially dropping down to 2.9 ohms for the lower mids/around 100 Hz. With my limited experience, I'm unsure about which amplifiers can provide enough current to drive them properly. The sound reproduction suffers as the highs seem entirely disconnected from the lower mids, resulting in a thin sound. I'm considering the Marantz SR5012 since it offers room correction and boasts good 4-ohm specs and damping, if I'm not entirely wrong?

Denon dra 800-: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../denon-dra-800h-review-stereo-receiver.26743/

 

[Revolutions]

You could try changing the amp power to 6 or 4 ohms to get it to push the speakers harder. Just be careful of not burning the amp out by pushing it too hard.

Details here: https://manuals.denon.com/DRA800H/NA/EN/DRDZSYrhoargxb.php

 

[twinkletoes]

This is where paper specs and reality go there separate ways and solely relying on reviews that test with test tones and wave forms fall down. You're testing very briefly and very small segments of audio space at any one time only giving you a very small window to what they can do and how each component behaves. Don't get me wrong these reviews have there place but are only a part of a much larger puzzle.

The reality is regardless of the paper the specs your speakers will give most amps a hard time. There nominal 8ohms but I bet you anything they sit at 4 ohms and lower for a fair chunk of time, 100Hz is where nearly all music sits through out playback.

Id try the above as that is a good suggestion but follow the advice and listen and observe very closely.

AVR's amp sections though good aren't really designed for band width playback. They are designed to be crossed over and the burden moved to a subwoofer, im assuming you're using it in 2 channel mode as you have not mentioned any other speakers.


Id be looking for amps that quote into 2ohms for peace of mind. Musical fidelity, naim and hegal for instance

 

[nopiano]

Hi, I'm a 16-year-old who made a regrettable purchase. I bought the Focal Chora 826, thinking they would pair well with my Denon DRA-800H. However, it seems the DRA-800H has subpar power measurements, and the Focal Chora 826, despite their appealing specifications, aren't forgiving at all. They demand a significant amount of current, especially dropping down to 2.9 ohms for the lower mids/around 100 Hz. With my limited experience, I'm unsure about which amplifiers can provide enough current to drive them properly. The sound reproduction suffers as the highs seem entirely disconnected from the lower mids, resulting in a thin sound. I'm considering the Marantz SR5012 since it offers room correction and boasts good 4-ohm specs and damping, if I'm not entirely wrong?

Denon dra 800-: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/.../denon-dra-800h-review-stereo-receiver.26743/

What size room are you playing it in? And what sources?

On paper, the ASR review is fine on power, 140 watts into 4 ohms. The digital side is a bit scrappy but it’s not a luxury model.

Did you hear the Focal sound good on demo, and if so what amp was that? I’m trying to establish what your expectations were/are, so any more info would be handy. Maybe you can borrow an amp from a friend, relative or neighbour?

 

[My2Cents]

Part of your problem is perhaps that you are pairing (what was) a $2,000 pair of three way floor standers with a $600 amp.
Assuming that you are using a relatively short speaker cable run with good quality cable and you have the amp plugged directly into the wall (and not using some cheap extension cable / power strip surge protector)?

 

[bigfish786]

I had the previous model Focal Chorus 826v partnered with Marantz PM14S1SE amp. A fantastic match, one I would be happy to own again . A quality Marantz amp may give you the oomph you need.