What's most important spec(s) for amp driving low efficiency speakers?

muncybob

So, again my daughter has asked dear old Dad for help. She only streams music and while her one system sounds decent she wants sound more like what Dad has and only has a budget of $1k max. I'm thinking maybe an integrated amp for simplicity.

Question is, when looking at specs is there any order of importance when looking at watts rms/both channels driven, headroom or even max amps when driving power hungry speakers?

She really wants my amp & pre but not sure the resident CFO will go with yet another "upgrade".

heiney9

That's a loaded question because how "low" efficiency, how low impedance? Room size has a lot to do with it. Type of music and listening habits.
The Polk R200's I use in my office rig are about 86dB efficient, but they also drop down below 4 ohms at certain frequencies. My office/den, etc is a standard 12' x14' room (approx). I use a simple single Pass DIY Minmax amp rated at 15 wpc. It uses a 36V-5 amp switching walwart. I sit 5.5' away and can listen at moderate levels with zero issues.
I can't achieve rock concert levels and I can't shake the foundation. But I don't hear anything missing from the music. The R200's dig as deep as they are capable. But I am limited as to overall SPL. I can listen loud enough to make it impossible to talk over. This is a very simple, small parts count amp with an adequate power supply.
I am not saying to get one of these amps. Just an example of a small, low power, simple circuit amp being more than enough for my needs in my office rig.
Does the DIY First Watt F6 do a better job? Not until a certain volume level is reached.
That's my long winded attempt to give us more info about how the rig will be used and what the more specific inefficiency is.
Big power supplies, many smoothing caps and the simpler the better as far as circuit design will yield a piece if gear that can drive inefficient speakers and low impedance speakers.

I use a Marantz PM6007 for the TV rig running a pair of Polk Elite ES20 speakers. Nice little amp with a built in dac. It does an excellent job and sound very good too.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_642PM6007/Marantz-PM6007.html
H9

I don't know if this answered the question or was helpful....lol

VR3

I'll make you a nice deal on my kynergenics amp

Class a, 75, 150, 300

Tons of current to drive most anything

$700 shipped

You can see it here

https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/202803/house-cleaning-part-2#latest

billbillw

I still think the recommendations we made the last time are her best bet. Some of those Class D amps we mentioned do great with low efficiency speakers.
Brock did have a good point though. Are we talking 86-89dB low efficiency or something below 85?

motorhead43026

Current aka Amps.

invalid

motorhead43026 wrote: »

Current aka Amps.

Depends on the impedance curve of the speaker, my apogee duetta 2 speakers are not that hard to drive because the impedance doesn't dip that low, but the sensitivity is only 80db, so they need higher voltage but not a lot of current.

xschop

"Amp"lifier

treitz3

High current (AMPS), with plenty of headroom to spare and a xnsfrmr that can handle it. Final answer.

* In the context of, "Who wants to be a Millionaire" *

Tom

muncybob

Finally found the specs for her Monitor Audio GS60 speakers and they are more efficient than I thought (90db). The room is apprx 15 X 20. Going to need more than a stand alone amp as her old Yamaha receiver cannot be used as a preamp. She did pick up a WIIM (amp pro?) but doesn't feel it gives the room the full sound she is looking for so it will go into another room. The search is now for an integrated to take the place of the old Yammy.

heiney9

In that sized room with that efficiency, you won't need much. I'd buy a higher quality product with lesser watts over a mediocre product with many watts.

Look at some of the new NAD legacy stuff.
https://www.audioadvisor.com/products/nad-c-316bee-v2-integrated-amplifier-phono-included?variant=45983400362157
Rotel
https://www.audioadvisor.com/products/rotel-a11-mkii-integrated-amplifier-black?variant=45982913986733
Marantz
https://www.audioadvisor.com/products/marantz-pm6007-integrated-amplifier-new?variant=45981818060973
H9

HzTweaker

I'd consider Emotiva:
https://emotiva.com/products/basx-ta1-stereo-preamp-dac-tuner-with-integrated-amplifier

Built in DAC, Phono MM/MC, BT (If you're into that lol), A/B amplification and enough power for speakers in the 90db sensitivity range. All can be had for $500 bones right now.

I've heard this integrated with a pair of Klipsch (I can't remember the model) and was plenty impressed. Especially at its price point!

muncybob

That's a nice price for what you get, but since she will only stream music isn't she paying more for options she will never use? Wouldn't this make more sense?

https://emotiva.com/products/basx-a2l-stereo-amplifier

PSOVLSK

A tad over budget, but a good deal on clearance at Audio Advisor: Marantz 60N for $1200.

motorhead43026

High fi shark has a couple Anthem Integrated 225. Same as I have had in my system for about 8 years. Nothing fancy, straight forward no frills
workhorse. Plenty of good reviews and plenty power and current with lots of headroom. I love the Amthem sound and it’s a quality machine.

And the price is reasonable.

HzTweaker

muncybob wrote: »

That's a nice price for what you get, but since she will only stream music isn't she paying more for options she will never use? Wouldn't this make more sense?

https://emotiva.com/products/basx-a2l-stereo-amplifier

Good point, but if his daughter is "bit by the bug" and wants a TT later down the road she'll be able to grow with the Ta1 and it's only $150 more than the A2L.