Exact
Everytime I see an audiophile stereo setup, I see two large beautiful speakers on each end and in the center are 2 or 3 amps stacked on top of each other. What kind of amps are those?
I have a full 6.1 HT setup but I sometimes like to listen to my music using only main towers (without the sub.)
Unfortunately, my surround sound receiver doesn't have enough power to push audiophile quality speakers to their full potential. (only 110 watts per channel)
Thank you! 10 points for best answer today!
Answer
Many of the higher end speakers require high current amplification to power them properly. So it is important to choose the right amplifier to both drive the speakers properly electrically, and complement them sonically. That is why with some high end audio system you will see solid state amplification and other use tube amplification it depends on personal preference and what kind best powers and compliments the type of speakers. Electrostatic speakers for instance many Audiophiles like tube amplification as it tends to complement them better sonically, richer fuller sound. Electrostatic speakers because they are so fast and resolve allot of detail they tend to sound to lean with solid state amplification.
The amplifiers are setup at the speaker end to keep speaker cables as short as possible, as speaker cables create the most loss in sound quality as the length gets longer, and the higher end speakers cables can get very expensive. It is always better to use short speaker cables, and longer interconnects to the preamplifier as this has the least amount of sound degradation.
There are different types of high end amplifiers so the amount of chassis you see at the speaker end may very because of the design. There are stereo amplifiers which are one chassis, mono block amplifiers, which are one channel amplifiers one each for each speaker, and then there multi chassis amplifiers which may have the power-supplies separate from the main chassis.
So as for your speakers, depending on where you bought them I would first ask the dealer what there recommendation is on amplifiers to power them properly. You can also ask the manufacture there recommendations and what they use.
Any high current good quality "higher" end amplifier ( and no they don't have to be mega dollars, there are some excellent sounding budget amplifiers) will be able to power them properly. Certainly more than 3 to 5 hundred though lol, a decent amplifier is at least $500 unless you get something used. Audiogon is a good place for used high end gear but you need to know what your buying.
Receivers are made very poorly, because they are trying to put three components in one chassis and at a low price point. 90% of them are not high current "enough" and not able to drive wide impedance swings as most separate good quality amplifiers can.
Like one gentlemen has mentioned, if your receiver has pre-amp outputs, for your main left and right channels you could buy a separate stereo (or mono block) amplifiers just for your front main speakers.
But you would still be limited in the quality of the preamplifier section in the receiver. Receivers don't have very good preamplifier ether so, you will now be able to drive them better with a good amplifier but the sound will be compromised by the preamplifier. "but" it does give you the opportunity to upgrade later on and get yourself a good preamplifier for music. Preamplifier is the single most important part in a music system, it has the biggest effect on the overall sound, which most people don't realize. It is the hardest component to design and get right, and a good preamplifier can get very expensive very fast.
I used to have a good blog I wrote to help those trying to design a good music or home theater system but Yahoo does not support them any longer. So I am working on a google blog and will be happy to send you a link when I get it done, just send me your email and request and will put you on a list when I get it done.
Hope that helps for now
Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist
Oh if your wanting to learn more about high end audio I would strongly suggest reading a very good book that is very informative and a good read, is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIGH END AUDIO / by Robert Harley (very well respected in the high end industry, and I agree with allot of what he says)
Get the 4th audition as it includes home theater systems as well.
Many of the higher end speakers require high current amplification to power them properly. So it is important to choose the right amplifier to both drive the speakers properly electrically, and complement them sonically. That is why with some high end audio system you will see solid state amplification and other use tube amplification it depends on personal preference and what kind best powers and compliments the type of speakers. Electrostatic speakers for instance many Audiophiles like tube amplification as it tends to complement them better sonically, richer fuller sound. Electrostatic speakers because they are so fast and resolve allot of detail they tend to sound to lean with solid state amplification.
The amplifiers are setup at the speaker end to keep speaker cables as short as possible, as speaker cables create the most loss in sound quality as the length gets longer, and the higher end speakers cables can get very expensive. It is always better to use short speaker cables, and longer interconnects to the preamplifier as this has the least amount of sound degradation.
There are different types of high end amplifiers so the amount of chassis you see at the speaker end may very because of the design. There are stereo amplifiers which are one chassis, mono block amplifiers, which are one channel amplifiers one each for each speaker, and then there multi chassis amplifiers which may have the power-supplies separate from the main chassis.
So as for your speakers, depending on where you bought them I would first ask the dealer what there recommendation is on amplifiers to power them properly. You can also ask the manufacture there recommendations and what they use.
Any high current good quality "higher" end amplifier ( and no they don't have to be mega dollars, there are some excellent sounding budget amplifiers) will be able to power them properly. Certainly more than 3 to 5 hundred though lol, a decent amplifier is at least $500 unless you get something used. Audiogon is a good place for used high end gear but you need to know what your buying.
Receivers are made very poorly, because they are trying to put three components in one chassis and at a low price point. 90% of them are not high current "enough" and not able to drive wide impedance swings as most separate good quality amplifiers can.
Like one gentlemen has mentioned, if your receiver has pre-amp outputs, for your main left and right channels you could buy a separate stereo (or mono block) amplifiers just for your front main speakers.
But you would still be limited in the quality of the preamplifier section in the receiver. Receivers don't have very good preamplifier ether so, you will now be able to drive them better with a good amplifier but the sound will be compromised by the preamplifier. "but" it does give you the opportunity to upgrade later on and get yourself a good preamplifier for music. Preamplifier is the single most important part in a music system, it has the biggest effect on the overall sound, which most people don't realize. It is the hardest component to design and get right, and a good preamplifier can get very expensive very fast.
I used to have a good blog I wrote to help those trying to design a good music or home theater system but Yahoo does not support them any longer. So I am working on a google blog and will be happy to send you a link when I get it done, just send me your email and request and will put you on a list when I get it done.
Hope that helps for now
Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist
Oh if your wanting to learn more about high end audio I would strongly suggest reading a very good book that is very informative and a good read, is THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO HIGH END AUDIO / by Robert Harley (very well respected in the high end industry, and I agree with allot of what he says)
Get the 4th audition as it includes home theater systems as well.
high end car speakers?
...630854
im using infinity refrence speakers 6.5 in the front and 6x9's in the back, but anyways i just dont like the way they sound. iv'e been looking at the speakers Pioneer Premier TS-C720PRS 6.75 speakers. http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17068
i know i can squeeze them in the doors no problem (this is in a 1997 dodge avenger es). but can anyone find an adaptor bracket for 6x9 to 6.75 speakers. it would be greatly appriciated. Will this sound good two pairs of these speakers paired up with a MB Quart 4 chanel amp running 50watts rms. And i already have two 12inch infinity Kappa Perfect subs running 275 Watts rms each. I really dont care about volume i care about high quality sound reproduction so look at this system from an audiophiles perspective.
the amp
http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=17710
Answer
You cannot go wrong with Kenwood. I don't have 3 way or 2 way. I have individual tweeter, mids and subs. An amp for every set of speakers and my four 10" JL Audio subs. JL makes the best subs on the planet in my opinion.
As far as subs go you never want to go bigger than 10's. They will play any genre of music fantastically. If you just want to play rap then go for the 15's. Rock, country, jazz, etc. washes out with subs bigger than 10's.
You cannot go wrong with Kenwood. I don't have 3 way or 2 way. I have individual tweeter, mids and subs. An amp for every set of speakers and my four 10" JL Audio subs. JL makes the best subs on the planet in my opinion.
As far as subs go you never want to go bigger than 10's. They will play any genre of music fantastically. If you just want to play rap then go for the 15's. Rock, country, jazz, etc. washes out with subs bigger than 10's.
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