Amp for Cerwin Vega XLS-12 help

[1q2]

Hello, I recently got a set of the XLS-12's I enjoy them and am on a tight budget so it took a while to get them. They are very nice to me for HT and I also listen to the occasional sound quite loud. They sound great on most things, however some things distort at a lower volume then I feel like to should be. I have no idea to tell if it's them or my receiver's amp clipping. I know they are rated 150 watt rms and I am using a Harman Kardon AVR3600 that claims 85 watts rms. Sorry for the long post, but any suggestions on if the receiver is powerful enough or what a decent separate amp for them would be. Just something for the front 2 channels for music. Thank you for any help.

 

[everettT]

Hello, I recently got a set of the XLS-12's I enjoy them and am on a tight budget so it took a while to get them. They are very nice to me for HT and I also listen to the occasional sound quite loud. They sound great on most things, however some things distort at a lower volume then I feel like to should be. I have no idea to tell if it's them or my receiver's amp clipping. I know they are rated 150 watt rms and I am using a Harman Kardon AVR3600 that claims 85 watts rms. Sorry for the long post, but any suggestions on if the receiver is powerful enough or what a decent separate amp for them would be. Just something for the front 2 channels for music. Thank you for any help.

So explain what those "somethings are" . Cause with any speaker, garbage in is garbage out.

 

[lovinthehd]

Without defining your setup (distance from the speakers, what spl you're listening at for example) let alone just what you're listening to, hard to know. I am also curious what specific things sound worse and at how much lower spl...

 

[1q2]

I listen to everything, Dire Straights sounds great all the way through really. But some Disturbed, or All American Rejects songs, I've put on some old Busta Rhymes and they can distort where they are historical in my experience cleanly recorded sounding. I dont profess to be an expert be any means. I understand for example that Demons (Imangine Dragons) which I enjoy was just mastered poorly by the label it seems as that sounds horrible at mid to high volumes on anything I hear it on. Thanks for your time

 

[everettT]

Again the source of the recording not the artist so much ie mp3, was, flac, off, streaming etc

 

[1q2]

The room is small, about 12x16 and they are against one wall, I sit all the way across. Really, I'm just wounding what you guys though about the HK's power vs the speakers. If it is a true 85 watts from the receiver, would that be enough. Would getting closer to a true 150 watt amp, make any audible difference (worth it?) and forgive me, but I just am lost on the distortion sound of a low quality speaker and when a amp clips Thanks you all again I truly appreciate the feedback

 

[1q2]

Oh sorry, Dire Straits, Imagine dragons, I have played both on a standalone CD player (sony) and wav files played on Adobe Audition from an integrated pc sound card with basically the same results, and All American Rejects and the others are all played with the same pc wav, flac

 

[everettT]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipping_(audio)

 

[1q2]

thanks for the link, I get the concept, just not good enough to say "oh yeah that's clipping" vs "man those speakers are terrible/can't handle anything" Also not good enough to know weather the extra 65ish watts would make any difference Thanks again for these super fast replies

 

[everettT]

thanks for the link, I get the concept, just not good enough to say "oh yeah that's clipping" vs "man those speakers are terrible/can't handle anything" Also not good enough to know weather the extra 65ish watts would make any difference Thanks again for these super fast replies

Short answer is its the quality of your speakers. You would have to go double the wattage just to get a 3db increase. Your HK is sufficient at most levels. If you want better sound , ditch the party style Speakers and get some that sound better to you. I prefer a neutral speaker, and then if I want to shape the sound I can add eq

 

[1q2]

Well after listening to a large amount of reviews on the XLS series it's why I chose them for the HT setup, while being able to enjoy music. This series is quite the departure from their party style they've been known for. I found it hard pressed to get a better overall speaker for the money, so that's why I picked them. Is there something else you'd recommend in the $800 pair range?

 

[everettT]

Without knowing your full setup, these
http://emptek.com/e55ti.php.old

Current link

https://rbhsound.com/r55ti.php

 

[lovinthehd]

Your speakers probably aren't as horrible as everetT is implying . The XLS series even got some professional (i.e. the writer got paid) review love.

Sounds simply like you're hearing poor recordings and the bad parts are being exposed. Your amp and receiver have their limits, too.

You still need to define your listening levels to an extent to guesstimate what your amp needs are. Use an spl calculator, even with an spl meter app for your phone you'll get reasonably close.

With the sensitivity I see of 90 and a stated 6 ohm nominal impedance I'd think your current receiver should do fairly well....up to a point, remember both your speakers and the amp have limits....and the rated continuous speaker wattage recommendations are often merely melting points, not an indication that with that much power they'll sound good....

 

[1q2]

Thanks Lovinthehd, I'll try that out this weekend or as soon as I get a chance, I don't constantly blast them, but every once in a while I just get in that mood and want to play 2-4 songs and go crazy. I am trying very hard to save up enough for a Yamaha 3060 or 3070 so I can have atmos and hopefully be set for a good while. I also want a entry level SVS sub to replace my old 10" kenwood that's not really up to the job. Trying to get all my audio wants out the way before I buy a new house as my budget will be zero then and if I found out then I needed an amp I'll be out of luck. I just want to get every clean drop I can get out of these for the times I crank it. It's another reason I went with vega, I like bright highs and crisp solid middle as much as the next guy, but I enjoy a good punch here and there. Thanks again for you help and understanding. If you are still checking this post lovinthehd, I'll try and get the info you needed. If nothing else I just have a hard time finding a good matching separate amp, I wouldn't want to spend more than a tight budgeted 300 for a 2 channel anyway. Take care