|   More power or more speaker? | Chris in Ottawa
Aug 22, 2002 12:35 PM | | Hi Gang,
My system consists of a Bryston 9BST used to drive five channels including my two front Studio 100s. The split is 80/20 music/movies. Given my tastes range from jazz/soft folk to hard rock, I saw the 100s as a natural upgrade at the time, and had envisioned bi-amping at some point in the future for some added top end. I've read these speakers need juice.
As happy as I am with the sound, when I push the system hard, I've noticed the 100s do have trouble handling large amounts of power with more bass driven material, call it woofer "breakdown" or resonance? all with no amp clipping.
At only 120/channel, I'm having a hard time understanding this, and was wondering if an eventual bi-amp with a 4B running the low end would help this, or is this really a limitation of the speaker, and should I be thinking about something larger that could handle the additional power.
If that's the case, what would some recommendations be. I'd be thinking of something under the 4K mark.
Other equipment is:
Sony DVP-S7700 for transport
Lexicon DC-1 running 3.1
Monster Interconnects
Kimber Bi-wire to the 100s.
Any help on this would be great,
Chris |
| re: More power or more speaker? | wanderingbob
Aug 22, 2002 1:56 PM | | (This is not a reply to your question)
You might want to reply to the post below yours entitled ""Parasound VS. Rotel amplifiers." The person posting the message was considering an upgrade to a Bryston 9BST amplifier and Studio 100's, which is exactly the equipment that you are using. |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Paul L
Aug 22, 2002 6:06 PM | | Do you mean your speaker "bottom" out? How loud do you play and what type of materials you play? The Studio 100 has pretty good bass and if it cannot handle the bass, you better get a sub. If you get a better and bigger speakers, you in turn need to upgrade the amp as well.
Paul Lam
P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc. |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Chris in Ottawa
Aug 23, 2002 10:07 AM | | Yes, I guess "bottom out" would be how to describe it. Essentially at near max volume (my Bryston was factory tested at 160/channel) with any type of heavy bass or kick drum driven rock, I find the low end simply fails, rattles, or resonates as a result of over-extension I imagine. The 100s are rated for a 200w amp.
I'm suspecting this is really the speaker's inability to handle this type of music at near max limits. I also realize I'll need both more power and more speaker to continue enjoying music at or above this level, the system is in a very large area, 20x40.
I'm new to this next level of speaker and have noticed the Dunlavy/Legacy systems which appear to handle more?? other suggestions??
Chris |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Spanky^
Aug 23, 2002 9:55 PM | | Im using the Studio 100s and are facing the same problem...the low end is quite disappointing. I have them connected to my Sony9000 power amp feeding them 200 wpc, but still lacking the bass expected from such massive speakers |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Paul L
Aug 23, 2002 11:03 PM | | When a speaker bottom out, it is because the music required the cone excursion that exceeding the woofer surround's limit. Some smaller speaker may be able to handle this type of music better if they pass the frequecny to the port. But the bass will not be that well define and also has less impact. Go back to my original reply, if you go for a bigger speakers like DAL/Legacy as you said, you eventually need upgrade the amp the match the quality of the new speakers. The more economical way is to add a powersub. Of course, adding a power sub will not improve as much "quality" of the rest of the musically reproduction as the better and bigger speakers.
By the way, what is the source of your system. This may set the limit of your final system.
Paul Lam
P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc. |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Chris in Ottawa
Aug 26, 2002 8:57 AM | | What you describe is exactly what I believe is happening.
Again, I fully expected to augment my existing amplification when I bought the 100s, the 4B was a consideration to bi-amp with. I just didn't think I'd hit a limit with a 200 watt speaker running the 9B at 120/channel.
I realize I'm switching topics somewhat. What are your thoughts on the 4B to bi-amp with, and alternate speakers to consider? Not sure what you mean by "source", my components are listed in the original post.
Chris |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Paul L
Aug 26, 2002 5:16 PM | | Source means your Sony and even the music. Also, I know I may offend some people here, the Bryston is not the most refine amp on top end. If you upgrade the speaker to 4K level, you may find the system a bit hard sounding on the top.
Paul Lam
P.L.C.Lam Consulting Inc. |
| PInnacle Classic Gold Aerogels | jsujo1
Aug 25, 2002 4:43 AM | | I had my Pinnacle aerogels connected to 2 Musical Design D75 amps, which was 150 watts per channel, and no matter how loud it was, they responded. They go as low as some subwoofers,,,cleanly, tight, very musical. I dont think its needed that you approach your 4k limit.
The midrange is also quite excellent, with an aerogel driver made by Audax I believe...
These speakers lack nothing, and I think they are overachievers at the price you can find them at. |
| re: More power or more speaker? | Chuck G
Aug 26, 2002 3:43 AM | | Why don't you just try 2 channels each from the 9B st going to the 100's (biamp)? Then try some music. It THAT doesn't put the 100's over the top for you, nothing probably will. My guess is that will make a world of difference. Then you can use the 5th channel for the center and just shop around for a decent 2 channel amp to take up the surround duties.
Biamping makes a world of difference. I am biamping NHT VT2's with 2 channels each from the Sherbourn 5/1500 (thats 400 watts per speaker). ONce you do this, you won't go back to single amping. |
| re: More power or more speaker? | snickelfritz
Aug 30, 2002 2:47 PM | | I ran a pair of Paradigm Studios using an Adcom 5800 for about 8 years and bottomed the woofers only once.(Telarc Digital cannons)
For the most part, I always felt that they had incredible bass extension, and measurements showed that they remain above the 1k ref level to well below 30hz.
rarely did I feel that the speakers were in trouble at high volume levels.
If the studio100 does not have enough midbass wallop for you, then upgrading to larger amps is not going to fix it.
Sounds like you need a pair of powered subs, which would give you much more flexibility with regard to tuning the bass response to your liking.
Check out the Velodyne HGS or Sunfire True subwoofer.
The Paradigm Servo-15 is very good, but it has a very similar sonic character to the Studio100(not as much in the way of midbass punch, but excellent extension and tightness in the bottom octave) |
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