Speaker Drivers

[Brian JB]

Soundwise (quality), do speaker drivers behave differently with mono block amps compared to shared x-formers across 2-5 channels? If so or not, Why?

The reason asked is that thinking about Anthem's P5 amp & D1 to drive Paradigm Signature S8, C5, ADP ... compared of a flagship receiver.

 

[annunaki]

I am going to assume what you are asking is, "Will separate amplifiers perform better than a high end receiver?". I would say yes. Will it be really noticable? Not as much as nicer (upgrade for current) speakers would be. However, a system consisting of high quality mono amps on each speaker may have the capability of being much more dynamic.

 

[Brian JB]

Thanks for the reply.
The question is, do speaker drivers behave differently with assigned amplifiers? Receivers, Amps, monoblocks... Why?

 

[j_garcia]

Thanks for the reply.
The question is, do speaker drivers behave differently with assigned amplifiers? Receivers, Amps, monoblocks... Why?

The drivers behave exactly the same. Each speaker, as a unit, doesn't have to share it's load with another speaker with monoblocks though, so the result is essentially more available power for each speaker. If each in question, receiver, multichannel amp, or monoblock delivered exactly the same amount of power and each provided enough power to achive the desired sound level, there isn't going to be a considerable difference.

 

[Brian JB]

Thanks for the reply.
Assume each in question, receiver, multichannel amp, or monoblock delivered different amounts of power, more or less, will the speaker drivers behave differently? Why?

 

[j_garcia]

Let's put it this way, with the S8s in the mix and a full set of Sigs, I would get as much power as I could reasonably afford. I don't think a receiver would adequately power a full Sig setup without struggling, unless we're talking about something like the Denon 4806 or 5805. A separate amp is usually more capable than a receiver because it is only doing one thing - amplifying. Something like the P5 should be plenty for that setup.

I already answered why - with a monoblock, all the power from that amp is being used by just one speaker, so it has available all the power it needs (providing it is enough power for the application) at any given time. This doesn't necessarily give you more power than a multichannel amp, but it does mean that in the most demanding situations, the monoblocks will be less stressed and able to deliver more total power to your system.

 

[Brian JB]

Thanks man.

 

[Brian JB]

Why would one get as much power to drive a full Sig setup?

 

[j_garcia]

Even the Studio series like plenty of power, because while they are "8 Ohm compatible", they do drop farily low in impedance, which in turn means they draw plenty of current. You need some decent amps to deliver plenty of current for them.

I've only heard the S2s, but I felt the Signature line is definitely the best I've heard from Paradigm in the last 10+ years. Nice looking, nice sounding

 

[Brian JB]

Dude Thanks!