Have you moved away from full range to standmount speakers + subs?


I want to know if you have been on a journey moving from a large full range speaker to a smaller one paired wit subs, maybe even four subs.


Maybe you moved away from the big speakers because you had too much bass or you got a better soundstage from the smaller speakers. Let me know what motivated you and if you think it’s better now.


My motivation for wanting to try smaller speakers.


I have the Tekton DI and until a month ago I was using a LM845P SET amp to drive them.

It only sounded good on simple jazz and vocals but on complex music everything was falling apart.

I am not playing loud but I think it was the low 2 ohm load in the midrange that made the LM break down.


I bought a used PS Audio BHK250 and pre and it was like getting new speakers. Never ever had it occurred to me that speaker and amp matching could have such a profound effect.


So I am enjoying my speakers now and listen to music I have avoided like the plague and enjoying it (:


But all of this got me thinking, what if I paired my LM845P with an easy to drive speaker and paired it with some subs?


Then the LM845 could do what it's best at, playing glorious midrange and the subs could play the bass.

So that's my motivation for trying smaller speakers.


I am also hoping that maybe I could get better and more even bass with 2 or 4 subs. Maybe a better soundstage because the small speakers have a very small baffle.

martin-andersen

Showing 3 responses by tvad

Regarding distributed multi-subwoofer arrays (DBA), Duke LeJeune (@audiokinesis) is the resident Audiogon guru. He’s been promoting the benefits of a multi-sub DBA system on Audiogon for over 15 years, offering help and free advice to folks who DIY’d their own distributed bass arrays.

Duke designed and sells The Swarm distributed bass array (with permission from the originator of the idea, Dr. Earl Geddes). FYI...the cabinet is designed for the driver to face the wall.
QUESTION: I have the Tekton Pendragons and love them....Why does Tekton push the 4 ohm option when ordering.. I would not buy them in 4 ohm...Mine are 8 ohm for easier amp matching...Is 4 ohm cheaper than 8 ohm to produce. Eric also make them in 2 ohm...Whats up with that....

Eric Alexander explains 4 ohm vs 8 ohm speaker decision.

(15 second web search.)
Buchardt S400 MK II are excellent speakers, but at 88dB/4 ohms, they’re not an ideal match for a LM 845 P SET amplifier. For an SET amplifier you want speakers with high sensitivity (above ~93dB) and a flat impedance curve that ideally averages 6 ohms or above.

A push-pull tube amplifier with high quality output transformers would drive the Buchardt S400 MK II better (also 4 ohm Tekton Double Impact), in my opinion.

A pair of 8 ohm Tekton Double Impact would likely match the LM 845P better than the 4 ohm DI version (you don’t state if yours are 4 ohm or 8 ohm, but I assume 4 ohm since that’s the standard configuration).

Also, a pair of Tekton Perfect SET (96dB/8 ohm) would match the LM 845P well. Very well, in fact.

It will be interesting to read your impression of the Buchardt S400 MK II with LM 845 P SET amplifier.