Need help.

[CBZ]

I recently bought an Onkyo MC35TECH and I think the speakers are kind of ok but not good enough. I want to buy speakers that have good clean sound at low volumes and I can't spend more than $200. Following are the specs of the amp:

Power output
20 watts per channel, min RMS, at 4
ohms, both channels driven 1 kHz,
with no more than 0.6% THD
15 watt per channel, min RMS, at
8 ohms, both channels driven 1 kHz,
with no more than 0.6% THD
2 X 20 watts at 4 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 17 watts at 6 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 15 watts at 8 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 29 watts at 4 ohms, 1 kHz, EIAJ
Dynamic power output
2 X 24 watts at 4 ohms
2 X 17 watts at 8 ohms

I'm considering Dayton BR-1 from Parts Express but I'm not sure if the amp would be able to deliver enough power.

Please excuse me for not using the correct terminology, I'm new to the A/V world.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I recently bought an Onkyo MC35TECH and I think the speakers are kind of ok but not good enough. I want to buy speakers that have good clean sound at low volumes and I can't spend more than $200. Following are the specs of the amp:

Power output
20 watts per channel, min RMS, at 4
ohms, both channels driven 1 kHz,
with no more than 0.6% THD
15 watt per channel, min RMS, at
8 ohms, both channels driven 1 kHz,
with no more than 0.6% THD
2 X 20 watts at 4 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 17 watts at 6 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 15 watts at 8 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 29 watts at 4 ohms, 1 kHz, EIAJ
Dynamic power output
2 X 24 watts at 4 ohms
2 X 17 watts at 8 ohms

I'm considering Dayton BR-1 from Parts Express but I'm not sure if the amp would be able to deliver enough power.

Please excuse me for not using the correct terminology, I'm new to the A/V world.

Thanks in advance.

Well, this amp is on the weak side, to say the least.
Now, that speaker, can you tell us its impedance and sensitivity rating? The sensitivity would be given as XX dB spl at 2.83V/1m. This will give some hint how loud you will drive it.

 

[CBZ]

Well, this amp is on the weak side, to say the least.
Now, that speaker, can you tell us its impedance and sensitivity rating? The sensitivity would be given as XX dB spl at 2.83V/1m. This will give some hint how loud you will drive it.

It says SPL: 85 dB 2.83V/1m Power handling: 100 watts max.

To me these numbers are greek, sorry

 

[mtrycrafts]

It says SPL: 85 dB 2.83V/1m Power handling: 100 watts max.

To me these numbers are greek, sorry

It means that they are not very sensitive and need much more power to have the same volume as sensitive speakers. This means much more power which you don't have very much of. But, at low levels, it might be ok.

 

[mulester7]

It means that they are not very sensitive and need much more power to have the same volume as sensitive speakers. This means much more power which you don't have very much of. But, at low levels, it might be ok.

.....and who wants a steady diet of low levels of volume with no choice about it, Mtry?.....what does he need?....come on, Mtry, spit it out, haha.....correct, a few A P & L sub-stations with the name Crown on the front....and that's never a bad idea applied anywhere......

 

[CBZ]

It means that they are not very sensitive and need much more power to have the same volume as sensitive speakers. This means much more power which you don't have very much of. But, at low levels, it might be ok.

Thanks for all the help One quick question, would lets say speakers rated 95 dB 2.83V/1m be more sensitive than ones rated 85 dB 2.83V/1m?

 

[MDS]

Thanks for all the help One quick question, would lets say speakers rated 95 dB 2.83V/1m be more sensitive than ones rated 85 dB 2.83V/1m?

Yes, higher sensitivity requires less power to reach the same sound pressure level. 10 dB difference is HUGE. A 10 dB increase in SPL requires 10x the amplifier the power. Looking at it another way, you would require 1/10 the power to drive the 95 dB sensitive speakers to the same SPL as the 85 dB speakers. [Note though that sensitivity does not equate to 'sound quality' - you may or may not like the sound of the more sensitive speakers better]

 

[jcPanny]

Horn loaded speakers . . .

Horn loaded tweaters found on Klipsch and Bic acoustech result in very efficient speakers. They might be a good match for your current amp.

 

[CBZ]

Yes, higher sensitivity requires less power to reach the same sound pressure level. 10 dB difference is HUGE. A 10 dB increase in SPL requires 10x the amplifier the power. Looking at it another way, you would require 1/10 the power to drive the 95 dB sensitive speakers to the same SPL as the 85 dB speakers. [Note though that sensitivity does not equate to 'sound quality' - you may or may not like the sound of the more sensitive speakers better]

Thanks! Now I know what to look for, something like 87dB that sounds good would work for me. I read some where that 3 dB translates into twice the power from the amp

 

[CBZ]

Horn loaded tweaters found on Klipsch and Bic acoustech result in very efficient speakers. They might be a good match for your current amp.

Thanks! Are floor standing speakers better than the bookshelf speakers in the $200 range?

 

[mtrycrafts]

[Note though that sensitivity does not equate to 'sound quality' - you may or may not like the sound of the more sensitive speakers better]

Yes, thanks, I failed to follow up with this.

 

[mtrycrafts]

.....and who wants a steady diet of low levels of volume with no choice about it, Mtry?.....what does he need?....come on, Mtry, spit it out, haha.....correct, a few A P & L sub-stations with the name Crown on the front....and that's never a bad idea applied anywhere......

I don't think he likes high volume listening. His needs depend on his diet and needs though, not on mine or anyone else's, right?