Question Seeking advice on "demanding" speakers...

[YourBelgianThings]

Hi - first post here.

I recently had my Hegel H160 amplifier repaired and, when picking it up, the repair guy was talking enthusiastically about how good an amp it is (agreed) and how an amp like that will work best with "demanding" speakers, raving in particular about various vintage speakers. Currently, I have a pair of 10 year old Dynaudio Focus 160 Bookshelf speakers, which are fantastic. I have been thinking about getting some floorstanders, with the qualifiers that they would have to be reasonably compact and not cost the world.

I have two questions, if anyone could help.

1. What does is mean to say a speaker is "demanding"?
2. Assuming that my repair guy was correct, does anybody have any suggestions for a "demanding" speaker - or brand of speakers - that would go well with a Hegel H160 (in conjunction with an Audiolab 8300CD and Rega turntable).

Thanks!

 

[Integralista]

Hi, how big is your listening area/room? Do you have some sort of freedome in positioning of speakers like e.g. place them some 30-40cm from rear wall? I like Dynaudio speakers as well even not having them at home. When listening to CD do you use dac in Hegel or dac in Audiolab CD? Which speaker cables do you have? BR

 

[YourBelgianThings]

Hi, how big is your listening area/room? Do you have some sort of freedome in positioning of speakers like e.g. place them some 30-40cm from rear wall? I like Dynaudio speakers as well even not having them at home. When listening to CD do you use dac in Hegel or dac in Audiolab CD? Which speaker cables do you have? BR

Room is pretty big. Maybe 20-ish feet by 10 feet. CD player currently connected to Hegel via analogue input, so I think that means I am using Audiolab DAC. The Dynaudio are currently on stands about 15cm from wall beside them and 30 cm from wall behind. Can't remember what the speaker cables are, but they are decent ones.

 

[Al ears]

A: your current speakers are not demanding and B: you don't want any.
To me he means those that have big dips in efficiency. Speakers, even if quoted as 8 ohm can actually dip to much less somewhere in the frequency band.
Some can drop to 2 ohm or less that are really demanding on an amplifier, but only occasionally, these, in my opinion, are best avoided.
Yes the amp may be able to handle them but would they work well in your room?
I doubt it. And why replace speakers you are happy with on the off chance you will find better?

 

[Integralista]

Room is pretty big. Maybe 20-ish feet by 10 feet. CD player currently connected to Hegel via analogue input, so I think that means I am using Audiolab DAC. The Dynaudio are currently on stands about 15cm from wall beside them and 30 cm from wall behind. Can't remember what the speaker cables are, but they are decent ones.

Hi, you have very good amp. I think middle models are the best in Hegel line. Yes it is powerhouse 2x150Watt to 8 Ohm. But amp has highlu musical and rytmic character. With his currrent reserves in power amp your choices regarding matching speakers are very huge. But I think Dynaudio Focus 160 are "old" but amazing speakers. For many they replaced old legendary Conrour 1.3 or 1.3SE. New Contour 20i is again big improvement but more.expensive. Between them is just Dynaudio Special 40. I recommend not to change this very balanced system. If more bass is required more "heft" and dynamic in lower registers, than try proper subwoofer in your system. Something like Dynaudio Sub 3 will work great here. Or some older version, or Velodyne, SVS, Rel. You have very good preamp inside Hegel H 160 with Pre Out RCA connectors which you can easily use. If you still want floorstanders, than Dynaudio Focus 260 will fit into your room. Replace good Dynaudio speakers with nearly anything you will miss their clarity, neutrality and "full" sound with solide bass dundament. Such speakers are very sensitive also on speaker cables, it is worth some experimenting. And finaly, Hegel H160 has very good dac inside, I recommend to try to use Audiolab just as CD drive and Hegel as dac with digital Coax connection between them. Changed sound could be attaractive for you. And finaly which Rega TT do you have? What kind of cartridge? BR

 

[Al ears]

Interesting what some people will read into a thread to suggest you need a subwoofer.....
🙂
In lot of cases floorstanders are more efficient than standmounts.

 

[Integralista]

A: your current speakers are not demanding and B: you don't want any.
To me he means those that have big dips in efficiency. Speakers, even if quoted as 8 ohm can actually dip to much less somewhere in the frequency band.
Some can drop to 2 ohm or less that are really demanding on an amplifier, but only occasionally, these, in my opinion, are best avoided.
Yes the amp may be able to handle them but would they work well in your room?
I doubt it. And why replace speakers you are happy with on the off chance you will find better?

Yes that is right. Dynaudio impedance is "dancing" with some swings and dips but it is not a problem, He needs weel designed amp which he has. And than similar like Harbeth, they are very detailed and show even little change in system. I am also recommending to keep those great speakers. To get better you will have to pay around 3000Eur for new pair. They are so good.😉

 

[Integralista]

Interesting what some people will read into a thread to suggest you need a subwoofer.....
🙂
In lot of cases floorstanders are more efficient than standmounts.

Yes I agree. Soundwice often bookshelfs are better that their big sisters. Case from case different. Than SW may help with better sound and "matching" with room. And there is the real problem of our hobby.

 

[Gray]

....an amp like that will work best with "demanding" speakers

That's a bit of strange logic from your repair man.
Demanding speakers might work better with a capable amp but, regardless of what amp they have, nobody should go purposely looking for demanding speakers.
Maybe you (or he) are under the impression that demanding means better sounding. The demanding speaker might (coincidentally) be better sounding - but certainly not because it's demanding.