R200 vs L100 - amplifier requirement (among other things)
DigitalJackson
Posts: 6
in Speakers
I've been auditioning a pair of R200's for desktop listening the past couple of weeks. I have them paired with a Technics SA100 (50 watts X2 at 4 ohms). A bit of an underpowered amplifier for the speakers but still getting good results and really like the speakers.
However, I can't help but wonder if the L100 would be a better pairing with the lower wattage of the Technics amp. I'm also curious about how different they will sound compared to the R200. They are currently the same price as the R200s on Amazon, so I'm considering ordering them as well to see which works out best but would love to hear of anyone who has experience comparing the two.
I do also have a subwoofer. An HSU Research TN1225 HO with the 250-watt amp. I'm not running any sort of low pass crossover yet (will eventually add a Mini DSP).
However, I can't help but wonder if the L100 would be a better pairing with the lower wattage of the Technics amp. I'm also curious about how different they will sound compared to the R200. They are currently the same price as the R200s on Amazon, so I'm considering ordering them as well to see which works out best but would love to hear of anyone who has experience comparing the two.
I do also have a subwoofer. An HSU Research TN1225 HO with the 250-watt amp. I'm not running any sort of low pass crossover yet (will eventually add a Mini DSP).
Comments
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Are you saying that Technics SA100 is rated 50W per channel into 4 Ohms? Maybe 25 wpc into 4 ohms?
What is the 8 ohm rating?
My old Technics SA500 I used in college is rated, 1kHz continuous power output, both channels driven, 0.04% distortion: 58 wpc @ 8 ohms, 70 wpc @ 4 ohms.
The RMS ratings at 0.04% distortion are 55 wpc @ 8 ohms, 60 wpc @ 4 ohms.George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
I'm using the SA-C100 network receiver which is 50W per channel 4Ω. I left out the C on my original post. It's not the SA-100 "classic" receiver.
50 W + 50 W (1kHz, T.H.D. 1.0 %, 4Ω, 20kHz LPF)
https://us.technics.com/products/premium-class-network-cd-receiver-sa-c100 -
You won't get the same bass performance from the L100 as the R200 but if used as desktop speakers I'd go with the L100s in part because they just look better but also because they are a little less demanding of current to better match with your amp. The amp is 4 ohm stable so no major concerns there as long as the volume level is kept under control. The sound character won't be all that different but they do sound a bit different.
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This thread here might be interesting to you:
https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/192306/stereophile-reviews-the-polk-legend-l100George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
Looks to me like the L100 would be a more demanding load, comparing EPDR and impedance curves
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/polk_r200/
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
Gardenstater wrote: »Looks to me like the L100 would be a more demanding load, comparing EPDR and impedance curves
It certainly looks that way with the L100 dipping below 4Ω between 4 and 7kHz. I'll still probably order the L100 for comparison to at least solidify my decision on the R200s... will continue to bug me if I don't at least try them.
I guess the Reserve R100s should also be considered, but not sure how many free returns Amazon is going to allow before they ban me from returning.
Sensitivity rating is 86 dB for both R100 and R200, so don't expect much difference for amplifier load between the two. It's more about sound differences between the two with me sitting so close to the speakers. -
"It certainly looks that way with the L100 dipping below 4Ω 3Ω between 4 and 7kHz."
The absolute sound review doesn't have measurements but they compare the L100 and R200. They mention it needing more power than your amp, not to be a bearer of bad tidings.
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/polk-audio-reserve-series-r200/
George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
Gardenstater wrote: »The absolute sound review doesn't have measurements but they compare the L100 and R200. They mention it needing more power than your amp, not to be a bearer of bad tidings.
Well, I guess that makes the decision easy.
I'll try the R100 and take the L100 off the list. Thanks for your help!
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Let the record show I didn't say anything bout the R100 or whether that might or not be suitable for you
I sound like a lawyer now.....George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform -
The L200 is a far better speaker than the L100.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
I love my L200 pair and could never in a million years think of a better sounding speaker in this category for the money. My AS2200 Yamaha makes them sing so good !!!
That being said if I had a choice I might opt out of these for the L100 since you can’t get a L200 now it seems. But the R200 is probably an easier load. I could be wrong and I don’t think you could go wrong in this application with the R200. FWIW. -
R100s arrived today. Switched out with the R200, re-ran the speaker calibration on the Technics and have been listening to them while I work this afternoon. I thought it would take a few days to determine which I prefer between them and the R200's, but after only a few hours listening, I clearly prefer the R100 with my setup even though they are still going through break in.
Sitting only 3 ft from the speakers, treble overall is more pleasing with the R100.
Bass is tighter and blends better with my HSU Research sub (I had the bass tone control at -4 dB while using the R200's but now set to 0 for R100). There's obviously less bass with the R100 but I just turned the sub up more... was set very low with the R200. As I mentioned, I don't currently have a way to omit bass from L/R speakers but getting a very good blend with the R100 and HSU sub which produces very clean and musical bass.
I'm also getting better stereo separation with the speakers doing a better job at disappearing. I already have to contend with a large widescreen monitor that I'm sure affects the sound... maybe better stereo separation is due to smaller cabinet?
With the R200, I was considering looking for another amp or going ahead with the Mini DSP to help manage the bass. With the R100, I'm very pleased with the sound... not really feeling the need to make hardware changes. I will probably try a 60 Hz crossover module in the HSU sub amp instead of the default 80 Hz one, but that's about it.
Awesome that it worked out with preferring the R100... saves me $100!
Post edited by DigitalJackson on -
Good looking setup! What's the thing next to the left speaker with the tubes?
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Good looking setup! What's the thing next to the left speaker with the tubes?
That is a awesome little Monoprice Pure Tube Stereo Amplifier. Previous to the Technics SA-C100, it's what I was using for the past few years for daily listening (paired with a set of Atlantic Tech 4400 LR speakers and the Hsu sub). I upgraded it with nicer Russian tubes, and it can be sonic bliss, especially with female vocals. There are some workdays where I would work longer just to hear one more song pumping out of that amp. The tubes are spent, so it's currently offline.
I do Amazon reviews and selected the Technics unit as a review item. Not really the unit I would have purchased due to the low power, high THD and no preamp out, but once I had to offline the tube amp, I decided to give the Technics a proper shot. Unfortunately, the Atlantic Tech speakers were giving me ear fatigue in combination with the Technics unit. So, that started my journey that has led to the Polk R100. I'll be curious to hear how they sound with the Monoprice tube amp when I eventually get replacement tubes.
There ya go... way more info than you probably wanted.
