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Vandersteen question

It's time to upgrade my speakers. I'm very impressed by the Vandersteen 3A Sig. but am concerned that I don't have enough power. I just got a pair of Quicksilver MiniMite monoblock tube amps that are 25 watts/channel matched with the Eastern Electric MiniMax preamp (20 db gain). Presently I've got Klipsch Heresys that are very efficient at 96db/1watt. I can barely turn the volume past the 9 o'clock position before the sound gets to ear bleeding levels.

My question relates to the active preamp with 20 db of gain. I believe there's a formula that everytime you double the wattage, this increases the SPL by 3 db. With this in mind, 20 db of gain in the preamp would equate to an amp having 6 2/3 times the wattage or 166 watts/channel matched with a passive preamp in my case.

I notice that Vandersteen recommends 100 to 200 W/ch with the 3A Sig while the 2Ce Sig recommends 40 to 60 W/ch. I find this confusing considering that the 3A is more efficient at 87db. The 2Ce is rated at 86db.

Vandy fans - Please enlighten me. Thanks.
mootsdude

Showing 1 response by braro

braro
87 posts
 
Mootsdude,

Are you a cyclist? Hence the Moots.

I am running Vandy 2Ce sigs with VTL MB 125s and I thought the Vandys sounded fine until I tried them with 200 watts per channel. What a difference! I am now a firm believer that Vandersteens do work best with lots of good power. In my oppinion without the power you only get a glimps of what they are capable of. I do have a fairly large room 14'x35'x8' tall. I am also using (2) Vandy 2WQ subs. Also in my room they sound best at 12' from the listening position and 7'off the back wall.
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