Is my amplifier good enough for my speakers?

[JiiWe]

Hi,

I have two Isophon Galileo speakers and they've got 4 ohm impedance and low sensitivity (86db) and I wonder whether my Musical Fidelity A3 Integrated Amplifier with 170 watts per channel into 4 Ohms is good enough to drive the speakers? I'm afraid its output watt is too low and that my speakers will clip. Is it likely this will happen?

Isophon Galileo specs: http://www.audioreference.co.nz/node/2892/pdf
MF A3 (specifications on the last page): http://www.musicalfidelity.com/uploads/manuals/English/a3int_eng.pdf

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Irvrobinson]

I think you're fine.

 

[markw]

Hi,

I have two Isophon Galileo speakers and they've got 4 ohm impedance and low sensitivity (86db) and I wonder whether my Musical Fidelity A3 Integrated Amplifier with 170 watts per channel into 4 Ohms is good enough to drive the speakers? I'm afraid its output watt is too low and that my speakers will clip. Is it likely this will happen?

Isophon Galileo specs: http://www.audioreference.co.nz/node/2892/pdf
MF A3 (specifications on the last page): http://www.musicalfidelity.com/uploads/manuals/English/a3int_eng.pdf

Thanks in advance for your help!

Why do you think the power is too low?

Did you even read the specs of those speakers on the link you provided?

Actually, reading them, it possible you could even overdrive those speakers with that amp.

 

[JiiWe]

Why do you think the power is too low?

Did you even read the specs of those speakers on the link you provided?

Well, mostly because I'm not sure I've understood everything correct when it comes to speaker configuration, amplifiers and so on. And then I read about the Galileos and came across this: "Measured sensitivity is fine at 86dB, with average measured impedance being 4.8 Ohms. Not too bad, but this dips to a minimum of just over 2 Ohms at around 150Hz, meaning the Galileos will be a difficult load to drive and require an amplifier with a good current delivery and ability to drive low impedances.”

 

[JiiWe]

Ok, sounds good! But is there some general guidelines when it comes to amplifiers and speakers to prevent clipping? And how powerful an amplifier must be?

 

[markw]

Well, looking at the specs for your speakers, you might want to concern yourself with the spec that states "sine power", which is what they can handle safely on a steady basis and "peak power" which states what they can handle on a monementary, very short term basis.

Now, looking at the specs for your amp, please note that if you max out your amp it'll be putting out, on a steady basis, what your speakers are rated to handle only for short peaks.

You should be fine since people rarely max out their amps, but a lack of power is definitely not a worry you should be having.

And, the general rule is that if it starts to sound bad, turn it down immediately!

 

[JiiWe]

Actually, reading them, it possible you could even overdrive those speakers with that amp.

What? Wow, it seems I've completely misunderstood that amp... Well, it has no problem producing sound and I have never had any need of using more than approximately 70% of its capacity but I wasn't sure it was good enough since the speakers are both 4 ohm and 86db (from what I've understood it's more difficult for an amplifier with 4 ohm)

 

[JiiWe]

Well, looking at the specs for your speakers, you might want to concern yourself with the spec that states "sine power", which is what they can handle safely on a steady basis and "peak power" which states what they can handle on a monementary, very short term basis.

Now, looking at the specs for your amp, please note that if you max out your amp it'll be putting out, on a steady basis, what your speakers are rated to handle only for short peaks.

You should be fine since people rarely max out their amps, but a lack of power is definitely not a worry you should be having.

And, the general rule is that if it starts to sound bad, turn it down immediately!

Thank you Sir for your informative reply. But why in the seven hells would one need an amp more powerful than mine? There are not many speakers harder to drive out there? Most of them are above 90 db in sensitivity... And if I would turn my amp to 100% with my speakers I would be deaf quite soon...

 

[JiiWe]

Ok, but now when that worry is gone I have another question:

How dangerous for the speakers is it to use an equalizer to raise the bass?

 

[markw]

Ok, but now when that worry is gone I have another question:

How dangerous for the speakers is it to use an equalizer to raise the bass?

Whenever you boost the bass to what appears to be twice as loud, it puts a tenfold demand on your amp, and speakers. IOW, it's very easy to run out of power and drive an amp into clipping with an equalizer.

also, small speakers don't put out much bass. Just get a subwoofer.

And, as for your other question, my Magnapan 1.6 QR speakers run quite happily with a Rotel RB-991 which puts out 300 wpc @ 4 ohms.

 

[JiiWe]

Whenever you boost the bass to what appears to be twice as loud, it puts a tenfold demand on your amp, and speakers. IOW, it's very easy to run out of power and drive an amp into clipping with an equalizer.

also, small speakers don't put out much bass. Just get a subwoofer.

And, as for your other question, my Magnapan 1.6 QR speakers run quite happily with a Rotel RB-991 which puts out 300 wpc @ 4 ohms.

Wow, that's really good to know... So if I should use an equalizer I'd have to buy an stronger amp? Or maybe it's not a good thing even then?

Well, these two speakers have quite a good bass really, that's why I bought them. I wanted small speakers but a good bass and from what I understood these were the ones to get. But I might buy a subwoofer then. But if I do I have to get another amp right? There's no output for subwoofer in this one?

Well, that's quite enough for those speakers I guess?

 

[JiiWe]

By the way, is it possible to use the equalizer for some time and whenever I hear that the sound is getting worse I turn off the speakers? Or is there a big risk that the speakers already have taken damage by then?

 

[PENG]

What? Wow, it seems I've completely misunderstood that amp... Well, it has no problem producing sound and I have never had any need of using more than approximately 70% of its capacity but I wasn't sure it was good enough since the speakers are both 4 ohm and 86db (from what I've understood it's more difficult for an amplifier with 4 ohm)

Depending on your room size and listening habits you may actually need a stronger amp but with those speakers a larger amp won't help as Mark has already explained. If you like what you hear now and is loud enough without audible distortions and the amp is only warm to the touch, then you are fine.

 

[markw]

Those speakers might have good bass relative to their size but they are still small speakers. That's like saying a 6 year-old is big for his age but if you expect him to be able to hang hoops, you might be in for a disappointment.

Equalizers are fine if you don't boost anything and just cut back on frequency ranges. Your speakers can't handle more than your current amp is putting out. Add a bigger amp and some bass boost and you might be looking for new speakers, preferably bigger.

 

[JiiWe]

Those speakers might have good bass relative to their size but they are still small speakers. That's like saying a 6 year-old is big for his age but if you expect him to be able to hang hoops, you might be in for a disappointment.

Equalizers are fine if you don't boost anything and just cut back on frequency ranges. Your speakers can't handle more than your current amp is putting out. Add a bigger amp and some bass boost and you might be looking for new speakers, preferably bigger.

Yeah you're right, of course. At the moment I'm happy with the speakers even though I'm a bass head. I might buy a sub to complement them though. But my amp won't do then right? There's no output for a sub bass right?

 

[markw]

Your amp will do fine. Just don't buy a powered sub with just one line-level input.

Your amp has preamp outputs that can feed a sub with right and left line-level inputs and subs also come with speaker level inputs. Either is an option for you.

You would simply adjust the sub's internal crossover to have the sub kick in where your speakers start to drop off and then adjust it's level to your liking. It's not rocket science, it just takes a little time and patience.

 

[JiiWe]

Your amp will do fine. Just don't buy a powered sub with just one line-level input.

Your amp has preamp outputs that can feed a sub with right and left line-level inputs and subs also come with speaker level inputs. Either is an option for you.

You would simply adjust the sub's internal crossover to have the sub kick in where your speakers start to drop off and then adjust it's level to your liking. It's not rocket science, it just takes a little time and patience.

Ok, thank you for your help Markw! I'll remember not to buy a powered sub with just one line-level input. But before any purchase I'll have to learn a little about how I need to setup the system and what the difference is between the different kind of subs...

Have a good one!

 

[JiiWe]

Text

Hi again Sir, you wrote earlier that I could cut down on other frequency ranges and not the bass. That shouldn't be very dangerous for the speakers right?

And then I have a question about something else. I was thinking about output from computer versus smartphone and the computer is clearly more powerful. Is it better for the amp and speakers to turn down the main volume and keep the computer volume output to a maximum or doesn't it make a difference really?

Regards

 

[markw]

Unless one input is so powerful it distorts your amp/speaker combo at a very low setting on the volume control it really doesn't make any difference.

But, given my druthers, I'd turn down the more powerful one to match the lower power one so the volume change from the amp/speakers isn't too drastic when switching sources. If you didn't have to change the volume at all, that would be ideal.

 

[JiiWe]

Unless one input is so powerful it distorts your amp/speaker combo at a very low setting on the volume control it really doesn't make any difference.

But, given my druthers, I'd turn down the more powerful one to match the lower power one so the volume change from the amp/speakers isn't too drastic when switching sources. If you didn't have to change the volume at all, that would be ideal.

Ok, I always thought it was better with a higher output since one doesn't need to turn up the amplifier as much (and it would somehow not need to "work" as hard then)...

But what would you say to my first question? Is it okay turning down on other frequencies? If I don't turn up volume more than I've done earlier? Because the impact on the woofer shouldn't be more than earlier then?