Speakers for McIntosh MA5200

[EliotB]

I need your suggestion/opinion for my speakers that I will hook up to Mcintosh MA5200 solid state integrated amp. It's a 100 W and 8 Ohm amp. My room is fairly small for about 3m x 4m. Music preference is mostly rock, soft rock, pop and occasional metal and hard rock. My source is mainly digital with FLAC or 320 kbps mp3 playing through iTune -> Apple TV -> Optical Out to MA5200.

For the speakers, after talking to a few dealers and browsing, I came up with this potential list:

1. PMC .22 - 3900$
2. PMC .23 - 4700$
3. PMC .24 - 6500$
4. PMC FB1i - 4500$ (demo)

5. Dynaudio New Excite X34 (available in late Oct, 2013) - 3750$
6. Dynaudio New Excite X38 (available in late Oct, 2013) - 4950$
7. Dynaudio Focus 260 - Can't be demoed as the dealer does not have it in stock but can order one for me if I choose to buy - 5200$
8. Dynaudio Focus 340 - 6000$ (demo)

9. KEF R700 - 4000$
10. KEF R900 - 5000$

11. ProAc Response D18 - 4000$
12. ProAc Response D28 - 4900$ (demo)

I have listened to PMC .22 and .24 and will home demo .22 in a day or two. The dealer wont let me to home demo the floorstanding even though I am leaning towards to floorstanding as I think it will suit more to my music preference. The dealer doesn’t have a .23 in stock so I can't demo that. I am curious to know between the .24 and .23 which one will be better for my music preference and my room. I like to hear details of the music with enough bass and good mid. Price diff is huge between .23 and .24.

Dynaudio dealer is 3.5 hours away from me. So it is not convenient to go to demo for multiple times. The dealer will give me a shout once he receives the New Excite models hopefully around the middle of this month. I am a little concerned about the Ohm rating though. While X34 is rated 8 Ohm, all other models that I have shortlisted above are rated 4 Ohm. I don't know it the Ohm mismatch will do anything wrong to my 8 ohm Mac or vice versa? I also interested to know if my 100W Mac has enough power to drive these Dynos. I read somewhere that Dynos generally is power hungry. While I am interested in Dynos, I am concerned about overdrive/under drive issue.

ProAcs are not appealing look wise. But that's not the end of the world. If these are better than the PMCs and Dynos a lot, then I can consider ProAcs. Your opinion will help a lot.

Price of the KEFs are very reasonable. But I am not sure if they will be too big for my room!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi EliotB

Given the high quality nature of McIintosh amplification then i can't see why the MA5200 would not be stable with 4ohm speakers and (as long as you're not after constant disco like listening levels) then you should find MA5200 also has enough quantity of power.

Btw, other speakers to also consider are Monitor Audio's PL100, Focal JM Lab 1008Be 2 & Aria 926, ATC's forthcoming curved SCM19 & curved SCM40.

Given the size of your room try and audition as many of the designs in your room as you can (particularly the floorstanders).

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[EliotB]

Thanks MUSICRAFT. Here in Calgary I don't have too many options. Among the speakers I have mentioned, which one you would pick over others and why?

 

[empacher]

Mcintosh usually lists the applicable output v ohms for all their amps. For the MA5200, they only list an output for 8ohms. while i'm sure the MA5200 could drive some 4ohm speakers just fine at lower volumes, mcintosh probably doesn't think it is optimal for the task. you might want to enquire as to why a 4ohm output is not listed before buying a 4ohm speaker, or at least give the speaker a good run with the amp first.

fwiw, according to convention my speakers are totally underpower with the Brio-R but they still sounded better than any other pairing i heard with the amp.

Macs do well with Totems. Vince recommends them for the Mani's and Model 1s. if you are in calgary you should be able to find a place to demo some

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm a big fan of the R Series.....they also do the R500, which should work in your room if the others are too big.

You have listed great speakers above, but since we all have our favorites, you can't assume that we will send you in the right direction.

 

[CnoEvil]

Mcintosh usually lists the applicable output v ohms for all their amps. For the MA5200, they only list an output for 8ohms. while i'm sure the MA5200 could drive some 4ohm speakers just fine at lower volumes, mcintosh probably doesn't think it is optimal for the task. you might want to enquire as to why a 4ohm output is not listed before buying a 4ohm speaker, or at least give the speaker a good run with the amp first.

The first post here gives possible insight: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=6957301

 

[EliotB]

Thanks empacher and CnoEvil for the replies. I have contacted Mcintosh regarding 8 Ohm issue. They said MA5200 will run 4 Ohm speakers. Eventhough, I might rather opt for 8 Ohms just to be on the safe side unless Dynaudios sound far better than the others. I was actually leaning towards PMC, I don't know why! I will listen to R500, 700 and 900 in a few days. I will try to find a place in Calgary for Totems.

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks empacher and CnoEvil for the replies. I have contacted Mcintosh regarding 8 Ohm issue. They said MA5200 will run 4 Ohm speakers. Eventhough, I might rather opt for 8 Ohms just to be on the safe side unless Dynaudios sound far better than the others. I was actually leaning towards PMC, I don't know why! I will listen to R500, 700 and 900 in a few days. I will try to find a place in Calgary for Totems.

It is quite normal to lean, as long as you demo with the MA5200 as well......I would then expect one of them to have the synergy you are after.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

 

[skippy]

Sounds of music in Calgary stock McIntosh and Totem and B&W.

I believe some of the Totems use Dynaudio drivers so the 4 ohm issue is still there. You probably know this already, but gramaphone in Edmonton stock Atc's as well as Dynaudio's

 

[skippy]

Additionally , long and mcquade deal with Dynaudio studio monitors, you maybe able to see whether they can get the passive versions as you're doing relatively near field listening

 

[EliotB]

Sounds of music in Calgary stock McIntosh and Totem and B&W.

I believe some of the Totems use Dynaudio drivers so the 4 ohm issue is still there. You probably know this already, but gramaphone in Edmonton stock Atc's as well as Dynaudio's

Great! I did not know they carry Totems as well. I have listened to Sonus and B&W at their store and bought my Mac from them as well! Calling them right now.

 

[EliotB]

Thanks empacher and CnoEvil for the replies. I have contacted Mcintosh regarding 8 Ohm issue. They said MA5200 will run 4 Ohm speakers. Eventhough, I might rather opt for 8 Ohms just to be on the safe side unless Dynaudios sound far better than the others. I was actually leaning towards PMC, I don't know why! I will listen to R500, 700 and 900 in a few days. I will try to find a place in Calgary for Totems.

It is quite normal to lean, as long as you demo with the MA5200 as well......I would then expect one of them to have the synergy you are after.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Problem is I can't demo .23 as they don't have it in stock and I can't home demo .24 as they don't give the floorstanding speakers for home demo. I will be home demo .22 and probably .21. But I have listened to .24 at the store. It would be interesting to know what are you guy's opinion between .23 and .24 with respect to my room size and music preference. Thx.

 

[empacher]

don't forget about canuckaudiomart.com. some great deals.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Hi,

I'd agree with Musicraft and definitely try to hear a pair of Focal JM Lab 1008Be 2 with your Amp.

These have an absolutely stunning tweeter which is very accurate and detailed.

If your SS Amp sounds 'valvy' like most McIntosh gear, it should be a great match, but if it has the slightly clinical sound of some SS Amps, that tweeter might be a bit too honest and might make the sound subjectively 'bright'.

The Focal JM Lab 1008Be 2 isn't bright sounding per se, it's just very honest about your Amp and source.

I have a pair that I use with a Unison Research S8 Amp which is 'only' 24W from 845 tubes.

To my ears the sound is highly musical and detailed, never harsh or bright and certainly loud enough to fill my large living room.

I always think that when you don't want to switch a system off, there's probably good synergy going on.

That probably explains why my system keeps me up late.....

 

[Electro]

Hi EliotB,

The PMC FB1i and PMC 24's are 8 ohm speakers with 90db 1W@1M sensitivity , both are a very easy load for an amplifier and your MA5200 should have no problem driving them to high levels .

Being a bit of a PMC fan myself either of these two would be my choice , and in my opinion nothing beats PMC transmission line bass for quality and quantity

 

[EliotB]

Hi EliotB,

The PMC FB1i and PMC 24's are 8 ohm speakers with 90db 1W@1M sensitivity , both are a very easy load for an amplifier and your MA5200 should have no problem driving them to high levels .

Being a bit of a PMC fan myself either of these two would be my choice , and in my opinion nothing beats PMC transmission line bass for quality and quantity

Hi Electro,

What about .23? How does it compare to .24. It says only 87 db though. I mean sonically. Will it fit into my size of a room better than .24?

Somewhere on the net I read that lab test of .24 shows it has 86.5 db and .23 has 87/88 db. Super confused!

Thanks,

Syed

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi EliotB

Can Dynaudio be auditioned at home?

Btw, the recommendation of Totem is a good one

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Electro]

Hi EliotB,

The PMC FB1i and PMC 24's are 8 ohm speakers with 90db 1W@1M sensitivity , both are a very easy load for an amplifier and your MA5200 should have no problem driving them to high levels .

Being a bit of a PMC fan myself either of these two would be my choice , and in my opinion nothing beats PMC transmission line bass for quality and quantity

Hi Electro,

What about .23? How does it compare to .24. It says only 87 db though. I mean sonically. Will it fit into my size of a room better than .24?

Somewhere on the net I read that lab test of .24 shows it has 86.5 db and .23 has 87/88 db. Super confused!

Thanks,

Syed

With your room size the 23's will be less imposing physically but the 24's will give a larger scale sound that should be fine in your room and they both have a very similar sonic signature that is very detailed and neutral .

The FB1i's have a slightly darker sound with deeper sounding bass and slightly warmer mid range with a big bold sound that I prefer .

One of the big advantages of the transmission line system that PMC use is that the sound balance stays in proportion at all listening level beacause the frequency responce remains the same at all levels so the bass does not dissapear even at very low listening levels .

PMC speakers always seem to be more efficient than the figures suggest and all three are 8 ohm speakers so I very much doubt that any of them with be a problem for your MA5200.

 

[EliotB]

Hi EliotB

Can Dynaudio be auditioned at home?

Btw, the recommendation of Totem is a good one

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Hi Rick,

Unfortunately the dealer won't let me to take the Dynaudio speakers 400 km away for home demo! But they have Mcintosh MA5200 at their store. I hope it will give me pretty good idea about the sound.

Still haven't got a chance to try Totem yet. WIll try in a day or two. I will keep you posted.

Thanks,

E.

 

[EliotB]

With your room size the 23's will be less imposing physically but the 24's will give a larger scale sound that should be fine in your room and they both have a very similar sonic signature that is very detailed and neutral .

The FB1i's have a slightly darker sound with deeper sounding bass and slightly warmer mid range with a big bold sound that I prefer .

One of the big advantages of the transmission line system that PMC use is that the sound balance stays in proportion at all listening level beacause the frequency responce remains the same at all levels so the bass does not dissapear even at very low listening levels .

PMC speakers always seem to be more efficient than the figures suggest and all three are 8 ohm speakers so I very much doubt that any of them with be a problem for your MA5200.

That might fit me better now as the dealer just told me that he can't take a trade in for .23 (I wanted to trade in my idle seating Naim XS-2). He will allow the trade in of Naim XS-2 if I buy .24.

Thanks for your input.

E.

 

[EliotB]

I'm a big fan of the R Series.....they also do the R500, which should work in your room if the others are too big.

You have listed great speakers above, but since we all have our favorites, you can't assume that we will send you in the right direction.

I had a chance to listen to R500 and R300. I was after floorstanding, so particularlty interetsed in R500. Thay were drived by a Focus Audio Liszt Sonata (35 W/Channel). It was sounding amazing. I wasn't familiar with Focus Audio at all and not sure how it will compare to my Mcintosh MA5200.

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm a big fan of the R Series.....they also do the R500, which should work in your room if the others are too big.

You have listed great speakers above, but since we all have our favorites, you can't assume that we will send you in the right direction.

I had a chance to listen to R500 and R300. I was after floorstanding, so particularlty interetsed in R500. Thay were drived by a Focus Audio Liszt Sonata (35 W/Channel). It was sounding amazing. I wasn't familiar with Focus Audio at all and not sure how it will compare to my Mcintosh MA5200.

I'm not surprised, as that seems to be a $12 000 tube amp.......Nice. :rockout:

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/559-focus-audio-liszt-sonata-integrated-amplifier

 

[EliotB]

I'm a big fan of the R Series.....they also do the R500, which should work in your room if the others are too big.

You have listed great speakers above, but since we all have our favorites, you can't assume that we will send you in the right direction.

I had a chance to listen to R500 and R300. I was after floorstanding, so particularlty interetsed in R500. Thay were drived by a Focus Audio Liszt Sonata (35 W/Channel). It was sounding amazing. I wasn't familiar with Focus Audio at all and not sure how it will compare to my Mcintosh MA5200.

I'm not surprised, as that seems to be a $12 000 tube amp.......Nice. :rockout:

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/559-focus-audio-liszt-sonata-integrated-amplifier

Yup. You're correct. That's the one. Simple look, but elegant finish and I have never heard anything better sounding than this (ofcourse my experience is limited).

 

[EliotB]

I brought ProAc Response D Two for a home demo. Hooked up with my MA5200. Not very much impressed with the sound. It has the details, but a bit brighter side. It's may be my ear, or may be it's not a good match for the MA5200.

 

[ripz]

Hi Eliot! I m very interested in this topic. I have a pair of Twenty 23's and a Primare amp and DAC, and theiy are great, but i think the 23's can deliver that extra juice imho. How's your mac? Are you happy with it and its DAC? What speakers did you ended up with ?