2. speakers
  3. 174352-154490

Underpowered?

Hi guys.  Newbie here asking for advice. 

I recently purchased a pair of B&W 702 Signature (8Ω, 30-300W, 90 dB) to replace my old faithful 683s (8Ω, 20-200W, 90 dB).  I am running them with a McIntosh MA252 (100W into 8Ω, 160W into 4Ω).  I purchased them thinking they would complete my end-game system.  However, my excitement turned into disappointment when I realized the lows were somewhat lacking.  For all their faults, the 683s had a great dynamic low kick (no sub) that I was looking to take one step further.  Unsurprisingly, the highs and mids on the 702s were indeed more detailed and separation was clearer, but I couldn't get over the uninspiring lows.  I found myself listening at higher volumes chasing for that bass oomph.  Neither playing with the EQ at the source nor the amp was satisfactory.  So, I did the research that perhaps I should've done before purchasing the 702s and found out they are quite power hungry despite the specs being similar to the 683s.  I emailed B&W and McIntosh and they agreed the amp is probably underpowered for the 702s.  B&W described the sound of an underpowered speaker as one lacking low response and details, which is spot on. McIntosh suggested the MA352 (200W into 8Ω, 320W into 4Ω).

Of note, I love the MA252 and really wish there was a way to make this work.  I don't need a DAC/streamer/etc so I'm happy to put all my money on better sound vs tech features.  But I also think the speakers sound amazing even when somewhat underpowered and I'm considering upgrading to a MA352, Michi X3, Hegel 390.  Another option could be to get a sub? But I feel that would defeat the purpose of having a 3way standing speaker and then I might as well get a pair of bookshelf speakers (805 D4s, LS50 metas?).

So what do you guys think? Is it normal for a speaker that's rated 30-300W to be underpowered with a 100W amp?? What would you do:

  1. Sell the 702s and look for a better match for my MA252?

  2. Upgrade the MA252 (MA352? Michi X3? NAD 33?)?

  3. Get a subwoofer?

I would really appreciate your thoughts/advice!

dridel
dinov's avatar
dinov
788 posts
 

Mac amp of course. 

james633
888 posts
 

I would not trust Andrew Robinson’s opinion. He seems to lack highend experience or be a paid shill, I am undecided. No hard feelings toward the guy but you will get better advice here.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,689 posts
 

@james633,

understood!

larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,000 posts
 

A pair of REL S2 SHO Subwoofers would solve the problem.  Take some of the weight out of the towers and create a better sound stage.

lanx0003
650 posts
 

The combo of MA252 and BW 683 S2 (raved by Stereophile) is the first 2-channel I have auditioned. I was satisfied by, in particular, its full/sweet midrange but somehow the mid-bass is a bit boosted/muddy and the bass note is neither tight or fast to my liking. In terms of Lab measured freq. responses, they were both rated down to 30Hz (683) and 28 Hz (702) but those are at -6dB. At -3dB, they were only at 52Hz (683) and 45Hz (702) despite of being a floor stander. Basically, for both models, the mid-bass is boosted before rolling off at a rather deep slope. Later I switch to different I.A. with higher wattage/current, same story and that leads me to believe the speaker is the weak link. I guess you just need to identify another set of speakers that have well-defined bass notes to your taste.

More to discover