Loudspeaker sensitivity

[Haselsh1]

OK let’s get to the point…!

I have an Icon Audio Stereo 200PP which for those who don’t know is an EL84 powered amplifier of 15 Watts per channel. At the moment I use a cheap pair of Celestion F28 loudspeakers of 89 db/W/m at Im distance of course. I am toying with the idea of upgrading as soon as funds allow to a pair of Stirling Broadcast Monitors of 83 db/W/m. How in practice is this going to change things given that it is a change of 6db which should be a quartering of loudness.

Also, does anyone know if the Stirlings address the LS3/5a problem of unbelievable tizzyness in the treble…? I used to love my early Rogers LS3/5a’s and definitely regret getting rid of them. If this situation is really hopeless I may stick with my original plan of a pair of Audio Note AZ-2’s but these are floorstanders and my room is only about fourteen feet by twelve with a high ceiling. I listen at a distance of around eight feet.

[chelsea]

I'd go for the audio notes with that amp.

[SPS]

I have a good selection of speakers, you are welcome to bring your amp around to mine to try a few higher efficiency speakers out with your amp including some lowther accoustas , there are a few pairs including vintage leaks, kefs and sansui speakers I could dig out. I'm just over the bridge..

[hoopsontoast]

I used the 80dB Kolts with the 2wpc Decware Zen, perfect for my smaller room but did notice it just about run out of puff at the very high end of my listening loudness. The 10wpc A10 I have/had is more than enough needed with the Kolts.
At the end of the day, minimonitors like the Kolts and LS3/5A are not going to take more than that before they start distorting and giving up.

I also used the 80dB ATC SCM10's with a T-Amp in a small room which was more than enough volume wise.

[AlexM]

I'd say that in general terms sensitivity of 83Db/W/1m is too low for a 15wpc amp, but it depends on what volume levels and room size you use. You may get quite a bit of dynamic compression and/or distortion on peaks, but some quite like the effect .

If possible demo with your amp before committing, but I'd be looking at speakers with greater sensitivity myself.

Cheers,
Alex

[Dingdong]

In their day I believe that LS3's were not run with high power amps so I reckon you should be alright.

[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!

[Yomanze]

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!

Good post.

[trane]

OK let’s get to the point…!

I have an Icon Audio Stereo 200PP which for those who don’t know is an EL84 powered amplifier of 15 Watts per channel. At the moment I use a cheap pair of Celestion F28 loudspeakers of 89 db/W/m at Im distance of course. I am toying with the idea of upgrading as soon as funds allow to a pair of Stirling Broadcast Monitors of 83 db/W/m. How in practice is this going to change things given that it is a change of 6db which should be a quartering of loudness.

Also, does anyone know if the Stirlings address the LS3/5a problem of unbelievable tizzyness in the treble…? I used to love my early Rogers LS3/5a’s and definitely regret getting rid of them. If this situation is really hopeless I may stick with my original plan of a pair of Audio Note AZ-2’s but these are floorstanders and my room is only about fourteen feet by twelve with a high ceiling. I listen at a distance of around eight feet.

Shaun,
just a note: I own a pair of AZ-Threes (yes, 3) and use them in a 12x15 feet room, almost as yours, with a 8 feet high ceiling w/o ANY problem also, IMHO they're the best sounding speakers under 3K, and a pretty easy load, as well - I drive them w/ a 12W/ch valve integrated (and a 60W/ch ss one in summer). if you take my word, just buy the AZ-Twos, they lag behind only by -2dBs

[Haselsh1]

Shaun,
just a note: I own a pair of AZ-Threes (yes, 3) and use them in a 12x15 feet room, almost as yours, with a 8 feet high ceiling w/o ANY problem also, IMHO they're the best sounding speakers under 3K, and a pretty easy load, as well - I drive them w/ a 12W/ch valve integrated (and a 60W/ch ss one in summer). if you take my word, just buy the AZ-Twos, they lag behind only by -2dBs

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.