Which speakers for 'modestly' powered Class D Amps....

[Weeman1973]

I want something to partner my Lumin M1 streaming amp as most of my listening is digital these days.

I’ve got several speakers I currently use but can’t get to what I feel sounds right to me.

The best I’ve tried is with my Davone Rays but I’m keeping them in another system with my Gato DIA400S.

The Lumin is currently paired with some Harbeth Compact 7’s which I can find a little fatiguing after a while listening to my preferred rock / metal etc.

Transversely my Spendor S5e’s can sound a bit too laid back at times and a little fuzzy to my ears.

My other speakers are some XTZ 99.38 which I feel need more power than the Lumin can offer (60w into 8 ohms, 100w 4 ohm class D) having 10” woofers so was wondering which speakers I should be considering with the Lumin?

The rig is set up in a spare room where I listen with the speakers along the longest wall in a 4m x 3m room so I'm after something that sounds good at fairly relatively modest volume with good Bass extension.

I understand speakers are subjective and ideally I'd get to listen to a few pairs before taking the plunge but was wondering what other members are using in similar circumstances?

Was thinking something like some Klipsch or similar high sensitivity speakers might hit the mark?

[Firebottle]

I really wouldn't have thought the ZTX at 90dB sensitivity would feel underdriven.
How long have you listened to the combination?

[Macca]

Harbeth usually a 'safe' choice, if they sound fatiguing to you I'd guess the problem is not the amp or speakers.

[Weeman1973]

I really wouldn't have thought the ZTX at 90dB sensitivity would feel underdriven.
How long have you listened to the combination?

Tried it for a couple of weeks but found my Quad 909 gelled with them better in terms of more oomph from the 10" wooofers.

[Weeman1973]

Harbeth usually a 'safe' choice, if they sound fatiguing to you I'd guess the problem is not the amp or speakers.

Yes that's what I felt as well but just sometimes after listening to an hour or so of screaming guitars, I find the Harbeth's a little too much in the top end (being fair I find that when tried with different amplification also).

[Macca]

Yes that's what I felt as well but just sometimes after listening to an hour or so of screaming guitars, I find the Harbeth's a little too much in the top end (being fair I find that when tried with different amplification also).

Maybe you are driving them into distortion? The are very small speakers. I think that's what I'd be looking to change if I were you, especially for rock/metal. Sell them (which you'll have no bother doing) and get some JBLs.

[Macca]

One other thing is that I notice as I get older I tend to intersperse my rock diet with mellower stuff. Rare that I'll listen to two heavy rock/metal albums in a row.

I think it's something to so with the testosterone levels dropping with age. I still like to blast it out but in smaller doses.

Don't know your age but if you are over 40 I'd suggest this could be a factor.

[Weeman1973]

Genuinely I don't have it loud at all being as the listening room is above the lounge where the wife has TV on and below my two kids bedrooms so they would definitely let me know if it's too loud!

The compact 7's are not that small to be honest at 52cm high and 8" driver - would love some L100's however alas funds don't allow and also not sure the Lumin would drive them also!

[Stryder5]

I want something to partner my Lumin M1 streaming amp as most of my listening is digital these days.

I’ve got several speakers I currently use but can’t get to what I feel sounds right to me.

The best I’ve tried is with my Davone Rays but I’m keeping them in another system with my Gato DIA400S.

The Lumin is currently paired with some Harbeth Compact 7’s which I can find a little fatiguing after a while listening to my preferred rock / metal etc.

Transversely my Spendor S5e’s can sound a bit too laid back at times and a little fuzzy to my ears.

My other speakers are some XTZ 99.38 which I feel need more power than the Lumin can offer (60w into 8 ohms, 100w 4 ohm class D) having 10” woofers so was wondering which speakers I should be considering with the Lumin?

The rig is set up in a spare room where I listen with the speakers along the longest wall in a 4m x 3m room so I'm after something that sounds good at fairly relatively modest volume with good Bass extension.

I understand speakers are subjective and ideally I'd get to listen to a few pairs before taking the plunge but was wondering what other fishes are using in similar circumstances?

Was thinking something like some Klipsch or similar high sensitivity speakers might hit the mark?

Fishes? lol

[Weeman1973]

Fishes? lol

Good spot - the wonders of copy and pasting!

Now amended thanks.

[Macca]

Genuinely I don't have it loud at all being as the listening room is above the lounge where the wife has TV on and below my two kids bedrooms so they would definitely let me know if it's too loud!

The compact 7's are not that small to be honest at 52cm high and 8" driver - would love some L100's however alas funds don't allow and also not sure the Lumin would drive them also!

yes the L100 are a bit pricey I agree. Does the Lumin sound right with any of your speakers?

[Weeman1973]

yes the L100 are a bit pricey I agree. Does the Lumin sound right with any of your speakers?

Yes, I like it with my Davone Rays which on paper are quite hard to drive (4ohm, 89db sensitivity) but am keeping those down stairs with my Gato DIA400S

[Macca]

Yes, I like it with my Davone Rays which on paper are quite hard to drive (4ohm, 89db sensitivity) but am keeping those down stairs with my Gato DIA400S

Yes they are a tough load, so there's clearly no issue with the Lumin in that respect. Very cool speakers, I'd like to hear those.

At a dead end as far as your issue goes though :)

[Weeman1973]

Yes they are a tough load, so there's clearly no issue with the Lumin in that respect. Very cool speakers, I'd like to hear those.

At a dead end as far as your issue goes though :)

Mine are the Ray S which I believe are the 2nd incarnation and are 3 way (original were single driver).

I was amazed when I first had them with my Gato DIA250 but when I upgraded to the 400S, they really come alive.

As for my predicament with the Lumin then I think I may have to take it with me and try some various options and maybe spend a bit more closer to the Davone’s to try and get a similar result as I do with them

[hifinutt]

My tannoys sound superb with modest powered class d . Highly recommended

[Weeman1973]

My tannoys sound superb with modest powered class d . Highly recommended

Thanks Phil, which model do you have again?

I was thinking something like the Revolution range might be within budget.

[hifinutt]

Yes got Eaton legacy, BIG sound with class d amps and very enjoyable and warm sound but very dynamic .

[The Black Adder]

Some Tannoys... Get some nice 15" Monitor Golds or similar... Brilliant.

I've tried some digital amps including a cheap SMSL with mine and I was very surprised.

[AJSki2fly]

Not sure of your price range or size of speaker for that matter, but have you considered something like these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304134756772?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338468473&toolid=10001&customid=c3b07b3e-10bf-11ec-bc33-643365396364

[walpurgis]

Not sure of your price range or size of speaker for that matter, but have you considered something like these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304134756772?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338468473&toolid=10001&customid=c3b07b3e-10bf-11ec-bc33-643365396364

I'd keep well away from those. Non-original cheapo piezo tweeters and 'chopped' bass foam surrounds bodged to fit.

[AJSki2fly]

I'd keep well away from those. Non-original cheapo piezo tweeters and 'chopped' bass foam surrounds bodged to fit.

I was not suggesting those in particular, but Acoustic Research AR-3s


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