Loudspeaker sensitivity

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mika K

In general the old BBC designs are not sensitive but do not have difficult loads either. Their impedance curves are pretty easy and at least for smaller rooms and not so loud listening levels 15-20W could be well enough.

There are speakers that rate more than 90db/W/m and still require awfully lot more from the amplifier than these BBC heritage ones because of difficult impedance load with phases etc.

So I think you should just try it! ;)

---

+1 :)

Go for it, Shaun. I think you'll love it! :exactly:

Marco.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haselsh1

Cheers for that as the AZ-2's are one of the finest sounding loudspeakers I have ever heard when driven by low powered valve amplifiers. I think that is the route I shall eventually take.

---

there is only one thing you should be pretty cautious when having purchased the AZ-Twos (or any AN AZ speakers), Shaun, that is placement. I played a whole day until I could find their best location sonics-wise as they are EXTREMELY sensitive to that. first, do NOT install the spikes, experiment w/o, otherwise your floor would look as if a mad driller has just left the house ;) then choose a well-known but simple instrumented track - e.g. I used J. Coltrane's 'Summertime' from his My Favorite Things album, mainly with the double bass solo part - and start placing the speakers as advised by AN, placed right in the corners. move them just forward by the cm (NO kidding) until you realise that may be the best bass you can get out of them w/o being thin or overblown (the latter is pretty hard to achieve w/ the AZ series but in relation to the room acoustics can still be experienced). when the bass thing is done move the speakers sideways starting from ~10cms from the side wall by the cm, too - but heed that do not step over the best-bass-line forward. you can use the same sound track, or something with a piano and/or voice (though strings and harpsichord can also help), and move the speakers center-wise until the best mids/highs are achieved. when you feel you've finished for checking you can move the speakers any way back-forth-sideways, but do MARK the 'best sound' location before - though, I reckon, THAT will remain the spot. and now you can fit the spikes - and start experimenting w/ the tilt ;) . to help, for me the best balance is achieved with the speakers tilted back just a bit than level - though can't tell you the degree. good luck, mate :)

ooops, just forget to add that
1., experiment with one (1) speaker at a time only - much easier to determine the best placement (just turn the balance fully to one channel - to the one you're actually listening to ;) ), or use a mono-recorded music (from e.g. D. Brubeck's Time Out album)
2., if you don't want to ruin your AZ's bottom put something under them on which they can be moved (rather, towed/pushed) easily (e.g. a small rug on a wooden floor)
hope it helps :)

I prefer a speaker that is still smooth but can Rock with less than 10 watts.
I have the Lore and with a cap upgrade It will simply out preform the the AX-3 in a lot of ways.
Even the ANE is to picky about placement to get the right bass balance with low power.
The Lores just give you a hell of a ride for a $1,000 speaker.

http://www.tektondesign.com/products.html



http://www.tektondesign.com/lore.html

Or you could go Pendragons if you want to get really crazy.

I guess you meant the AZ-Three, right?
anyway, the AZ-Three with a cap ugrade (just as above, as well ;) ) is a different animal, to say the least... :)

Just watch out for foam rot on the AN AZ 2's if you are buying second hand as i have just had to have mine redone, lucky my mate works for AN so they were done right ;)

Excellent speakers by the way

not a big issue, I honestly reckon - it can be done even by you with a firm hand and mind fixed on the task :) , though a professional may do it easier for sure