Speakers hard to drive?

[Pedro]

W

Low impedance speakers are usually harder to drive because they require greater current from the amplifier. Also, impedance changes with frequency, that's why speakers manufacturers state the nominal (ie average) impedance in their specs. So, the impedance of a speaker may drop to 3 or 2ohms at some frequencies. That you won't know simply by looking at specs.

Sensitivity is the measure of a speaker of converting power into decibels (loudness). 88db means your speakers, in an anechoic chamber, produce 88 decibels 1 meter away with a power of 1W.

Every time you double power you increase loudness by 3db. 1W = 88db; 2W = 91db; 4W = 94db and so forth.

Crown has a useful calculator in the website: http://www.crownaudio.com/en/tools/calculators

I guess your speakers will be fine with that amp.

Sorry for the rusty English.

Rusty English?

Seriously?

You speak (type) English better than a lot of English people, and as for how well most of us could speak whatever your native language, I suspect that would be simply embarrassing. Although I always try to learn enough of the language of any country I visit to be polite it's still disgraceful how bad we are at languages.

Sorry for going off topic

I completely agree. In Germany I feel like I need English grammar lessons again when the locals speak such good English, using tenses and constructions I scarcely remember!

@Gaz37 and nopiano: thank you for the very kind words! I lack practice so I have to struggle a bit (a lot to be honest).

@Nelis87: I would establish a budget and then test the speakers with different amps.

@Blacksabbath25:

The SN2 is an excellent amp. I never heard the original model with the onboard DAC. If you're looking at that price range (around 2k) maybe you can also take a look at ATC's SIA2-150. They appear in the second hand market and even below two grand. I just bought one preowned and I can't recommended it enough.

David's suggestion is also spot on if you're looking for a one box solution. The Moon Neo Ace is indeed superb!

Do you already have speakers or are you starting with the amp? I'd buy speakers first, but many people may disagree

 

[Blacksabbath25]

The latest one without the DAC, but I suppose it depends on your priorities

priorities not sure what you mean but basically looking out for one as a second setup so not in a hurry but looking to see if I could find one at a good price

Just whether you will find value and convenience in the onboard DAC. If not, the new one will be better. If you're looking at used, I'd also look out for a Moon Neo Ace (roughly similar price to what you're looking at normally, although I don't know what their typical resale value).

I looked up the Moon Neo Ace not really my thing but the much bigger Moon i7 amplifier I liked but the trouble is it's £10.000 which is way out of my price bracket but the technology they put in them is outstanding .

 

[davidf]

I looked up the Moon Neo Ace not really my thing but the much bigger Moon i7 amplifier I liked but the trouble is it's £10.000 which is way out of my price bracket but the technology they put in them is outstanding .

Looks?

 

[Vladimir]

If you hear popping sound when playing loud, then you know 100% you have a problem.

This sound can be amplifier clipping or the woofers hitting the stops, or both. Either is very very bad.