Sealed box speakers

[kramer2020]

Hi, I have been using some old Wharfedale Denton XP's recently and I can't decide if I like the difference or their sound over my Q Acoustic 3030i's.

They are definitely sound clearer than my 3030i's so I was thinking about getting some modern sealed box speakers possibly ATC SMC7's, but I've heard that they need a beefy amplifier at 80 watts pch plus.

Is it possible I could use them with my Marantz PM7000n amp at 60 watts plus. If not are there any other sealed box speakers (new or old) that would play nice with the Marantz?

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

My NAIT 50 (25W) drives my SCM11 perfectly at sensible volume in my study.
ATC have a pretty flat response, don’t dip massively..
The current capacity of the NAIT 50 is 15A though which helps….. what’s the current capability of the Marantz ? A quick search suggests it’ll be fine in a near field environment not pushing the SCM7.
The speakers however will scale significantly with a better amp in the future.

 

[RoA]

My brother has SCM7's but only as additional speakers for a more central image in combination with floor standers and a CA150 EVO. As I only heard them once the only thing I remember about the whole thing is that when he switched to the ATC's only, there was suddenly no bass.

The only IB speaker I've owned was a pair of Ruark Sabres decades ago.

 

[Al ears]

Although ATC speakers will perform better with some decent power there is no reason to believe the SCM7 cannot be driven by your Marantz especially if not requiring disc levels of volume.
My EB Acoustics are easier to drive and noticeably larger than the SCM7 but these are no longer made.
Arcaydis used to make a copy called EB2S but don't know if they are still available.

 

[kramer2020]

My brother has SCM7's but only as additional speakers for a more central image in combination with floor standers and a CA150 EVO. As I only heard them once the only thing I remember about the whole thing is that when he switched to the ATC's only, there was suddenly no bass.

The only IB speaker I've owned was a pair of Ruark Sabres decades ago.

The Ruark Sabre sound interesting, how did they perform?
My room is 11ft x 10ft and huge amounts of bass are not on my wish list.

 

[kramer2020]

My NAIT 50 (25W) drives my SCM11 perfectly at sensible volume in my study.
ATC have a pretty flat response, don’t dip massively..
The current capacity of the NAIT 50 is 15A though which helps….. what’s the current capability of the Marantz ? A quick search suggests it’ll be fine in a near field environment not pushing the SCM7.
The speakers however will scale significantly with a better amp in the future.

According to Marantz "The power amplifier of this unit is capable of delivering an instantaneous current of over 32 A, providing powerful speaker performance" ... enough for the SMC7? although I'm led to believe that the SMC11 is more efficient than the SMC7

 

[RoA]

The Ruark Sabre sound interesting, how did they perform?
My room is 11ft x 10ft and huge amounts of bass are not on my wish list.

Other than that I liked them with my Audio Innovations tube amplifier I can't remember specifics. Too long ago.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

According to Marantz "The power amplifier of this unit is capable of delivering an instantaneous current of over 32 A, providing powerful speaker performance" ... enough for the SMC7? although I'm led to believe that the SMC11 is more efficient than the SMC7

Yeah the 11s are marginally easier to drive but you’d never know.
What you will note though is the increased transparency and wider soundstage of the 11s over the 7s.
It’s not marginal! But the 7s are very very sweet sounding speakers and an absolute bargain too

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

My brother has SCM7's but only as additional speakers for a more central image in combination with floor standers and a CA150 EVO. As I only heard them once the only thing I remember about the whole thing is that when he switched to the ATC's only, there was suddenly no bass.

The only IB speaker I've owned was a pair of Ruark Sabres decades ago.

Uugggghhh, indeed. The evo150 into scm7 or 11 is WAY too dry… one reason my 150 is for sale.

 

[kramer2020]

Yeah the 11s are marginally easier to drive but you’d never know.
What you will note though is the increased transparency and wider soundstage of the 11s over the 7s.
It’s not marginal! But the 7s are very very sweet sounding speakers and an absolute bargain

Thanks for this and I'm assuming 32 amps is sufficient for both the 7 or ... maybe the 11's.... the latter being a very hard sell to my significant other half (she who has an extensive... and expensive handbag collection😂)

 

[Al ears]

Thanks for this and I'm assuming 32 amps is sufficient for both the 7 or ... maybe the 11's.... the latter being a very hard sell to my significant other half (she who has an extensive... and expensive handbag collection😂)

Always the same. Buy the 11s and ask dealer for a receipt for the price of the 7s...... 🙂
My wife also has a number of a certain manufacturer of expensive handbags, fortunately none anywhere near the cost of my hifi kit.......

 

[kramer2020]

Always the same. Buy the 11s and ask dealer for a receipt for the price of the 7s...... 🙂

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

I’m not convinced you’ll get 32A OUT from the MARANTZ…..?

 

[kramer2020]

I’m not convinced you’ll get 32A OUT from the MARANTZ…..?

This is the Marantz blurb, I can only take it at face value. However its quite a weighty piece of kit with quite a large shielded toroidal power supply.