Which Amp is the best for my speakers?

So you just bought that speaker you always wanted, but now, it is set up in your living room, it does not sound like what it sounded at the showroom?

It must be sales trickery! Right?

Most people abandon the fact that the amplifier you use is one of the most important things you need when driving a speaker.

I am going to use an example:

I had a client coming in on a Sunday, eager to buy a Monitor Audio Bronze floorstander, but after hearing the Monitor Audio RX8, he committed to the superior Silver range from Monitor Audio. The demo was done on a Rotel Pre/Power 200watts combination, which blew him away. Upon asking what electronics he has, he assured me that his Yamaha will do the trick, as the speaker's rated 150watts is way below his Yamaha's "rated" 180 watts per channel. 

a Few days later, I got a call, the client says the speakers does not nearly sound as good as it did during the demonstration, can I help? So I jumped into the van, armed with the same Rotel Pre/Power combo, Audioquest Interconnects, Audioquest custom made speaker cables with banana plugs. Arriving at the client, I quickly added the Power Amp to the existing Yamaha's pre-outs. Magic happened, the client was ecstatic. I proceded by then using the Rotel Pre-amplifier and cabling, where the sound just opened up so much more. Needless to say, the client upgraded to the better, newer and more powerful system, and was happy.

SO, WHAT THE WATTS IS GOING ON?

So I am not going to bore you with the technical explanations, it is time-consuming, it is debatable, it is always being challenged, so here I will follow with the easiest way to explain it.

You have a Hyundai rated at 140kw, and a Mercedes rated at 140kw. Who will win the race? Same power right? But do we take into account weight, efficiencies, using more low-cost manufacturing components vs newer technology? Mercedes will always win, it just does it better, with the same rated power. You might add, the Mercedes has more torque...which makes for the next paragraph.

You never walk into an audio shop and asks for the most powerful Wattifier. You ask for an Amplifier, which produces amps, which is the actual electrical current driving the motors in your speakers, which produces watts.

Why the watts then?

Mostly marketing really! Thank you Sony PMPO.

So how do I choose?

There is no better way to choose the right amp for the right speakers, then going for an auditioning at your local showroom. Contact your local importer of the speaker brand you have, and ask them what they would recommend.

Example, KEF would most of the times recommend you look into Primare, which powers their speakers exceptionally well. Primare also powers most British speakers very well, including B&W and Monitor Audio.

Another example will be Yamaha driving Bowers and Wilkins very well, but not KEF as much, as KEF tends to be very sharp on the higher frequencies when coupled with a Yamaha, which is naturally a sharper sounding amplifier, which is once again neutralized by the B&W's warm sound.

You would find a Focal Speaker will not work at all with Primare or Class D amplifiers, yet, enjoys Class A and AB amplifiers from McIntosh and Marantz/Denon.

Go and audition, don't just read about it, it is much more fun!

New Harman Kardon AVR 158 THE LITTLE MONSTER

THE LITTLE MONSTER

As a multitalented A/V receiver for budget-conscious film and music lovers, the Harman Kardon® AVR 158 is a more than capable way to take your home entertainmentto the next level.

With all the latest Dolby® and DTS® audio modes and HDMI® v.1.4 with 3-D and Deep Colour, the AVR 158 lets you experience the next dimension in TV viewing –while Harman Kardon Logic 7® processing supplies you with an exhilarating 5.1-channel, 360-degree soundstage for movies, TV shows and games.

And with three HDMI inputs and extensive video and audio connectivity, the AVR 158 also grants you the flexibility to add a Blu-ray Disc™ player and surround-sound speaker system to the mix.

Overall, the AVR 158 is a great starting off point if you want a gratifying home theatre system.

Key Features

Power/Technology
 Powers a 5.1-channel surround-sound system
70 watts of power per channel
 High-current-capability (HCC), ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier
design for accurate, dynamic sound and emotional impact
 HDMI v.1.4 with 3-D and Deep Colour for playing 3-D content
such as movies, 3-D TV and sporting events
 Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding for highresolution
sound that matches high-resolution video
 Logic 7 processing to turn conventional stereo sources into
5.1-channel surround sound
 FM/AM radio with 30 station presets stored, plus Radio Data
System (RDS) to display radio text information that radio stations
broadcast
 Surround-sound decoding for all varieties of Dolby and DTS
audio formats
 BXR enhancer to improve bass performance of MP3 and
WMA files
 Lip-sync adjustment to delay the audio signal to match the
video signal
 Screen-saver function to prevent image burn-in on CRT and
plasma displays


Key Specifications

Audio Section
 Stereo mode, continuous average power: 70 watts/channel,
both channels driven @ 8 ohms, 1kHz, <0.9% THD
 Multichannel power: 5 x 70 watts/channel, two channels
driven @ 8 ohms, 1kHz, <0.9% THD
 Bandwidth @ 1W (+0dB/–3dB): 10Hz – 100kHz
 Signal-to-noise ratio (IHF-A): 100dB
 High instantaneous-current capability (HCC): ±45 amps
 Transient intermodulation distortion (TIM): unmeasurable
 Slew rate: 40V/μsec
FM Tuner Section
 Frequency range: 87.5MHz – 108.0MHz
 Usable sensitivity (IHF): 1.3μV/13.2dBf
 Signal-to-noise ratio (mono/stereo): 70dB/65dB
 Distortion (mono/stereo): 0.15%/0.3%
 Stereo separation: 40dB @ 1kHz
 Selectivity (±400kHz): 70dB
AM Tuner Section
 Frequency range: 522kHz – 1620kHz
 Signal-to-noise ratio: 45dB
 Usable sensitivity (loop): 500μV
 Distortion (1kHz): 50%, mod 0.8%
Video Section
 Television format: PAL
 Input level/impedance: 1Vp-p/75 ohms
 Output level/impedance: 1Vp-p/75 ohms
 HDMI v.1.4 with 3-D and Deep Colour

Harman Kardon Receivers

AVR 460 

The AVR460 receiver from Harman/Kardon is a fantastic home theatre addition. With automatic video upscaling, Dolby Volume control and HDMI repeater technology the system performs well above standard. 

The receiver is equipped with all the means to create an ideal cinematic experience. The AVR460 is perfect for medium to large areas, with a variety of inputs including USB, finding the perfect place for it in your home is easy.  The AVR 460 is A-Bus ready.

Specification

75 watts per channel into 8 ohms @ 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.07% THD both channels driven;

 (seven-channel surround mode): 140 watts per channel into 6 ohms @ 1kHz, 1% THD, one channel driven;

60 watts per channel into 8 ohms @ 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.07% THD, all channels driven;

High Instantaneous Current Capability (HCC): ±35 amps

Tuner – Usable Sensitivity: IHF 1.3μV/13.2dBf;

THD at 1kHz with 100% modulation, (mono): 0.2%;

(stereo): 0.3%;

FM Adjacent Channel Selectivity: ±400kHz, 70dB;

Ultimate (maximum) S/N Ratio (measured at 1mV RF input level), (mono): 70dB;

(stereo): 68dB

AVR 660

Power 75W x 7 into 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, at <0.07% THD, with all channels driven simultaneously

 High-current (±50 amps), ultrawide-bandwidth (10Hz – 100kHz) amplifier design

With four HDMI™ inputs, USB and iPod connectivity, Faroudja DCDi Cinema™ video processing, all the latest Dolby and DTS® audio modes, our own Logic 7® processing and the EzSet/EQ™ system for precise room calibration and Dolby® Volume technology that automatically adjusts volume levels when you switch between sources and channels, the AVR 660 is an unusually versatile performer – and its full-colour graphical interface makes it an exceptionally friendly one. The AVR 660 easily enables multi-zone audio setups. It automatically corrects annoying “lip sync” problems with both HDMI Lip Sync capability and manual A/V Sync Delay. Front-panel A/V inputs make video gaming more convenient (not to mention more exciting). And an eight-device learning and programmable remote puts all of the AVR 660’s capabilities at your fingertips.

Specification

Dolby TrueHD processing
• Logic 7® (5.1 and 7.1) processing
• Dolby Volume technology
• DTS®-HD Master Audio ^TM processing
• HDMI repeater with 1080p up-scaling
• Faroudja DCDi Cinema ^TM video processing
• EzSet/EQTM equalization
• iPod-ready
• HDTV-ready
• Component video inputs
• Quadruple-crossover bass manager
• RS-232 control connection
• Multi-room audio
• High-current capability
• 192kHz/24-Bit DACs
• USB input
• Internet radio

AVR 760

Power 85W x 7 into 8 ohms, 20Hz – 20kHz, at <0.07% THD, with all channels driven simultaneously

High-current (±60 amps), ultrawide-bandwidth (10Hz – 100kHz) amplifier design Surround Processing

Harman Kardon® is one of the audio industry’s most-powerful and most-capable companies, and the AVR 760 is the most-powerful and most-capable A/V receiver it makes. So it should come as no surprise that the AVR 760 does almost everything you can imagine – including automatically adjusting volume levels when you switch between sources and channels, thanks to new Dolby Volume technology. Two onboard 32-bit DSP processors deliver other essential Dolby and DTS technologies, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.

The latest version of our exclusive Logic 7 processing and Faroudja DCDi Cinema video

processing are included to make any source material look as great as it sounds. Whatever input you throw at it – HDMI, analog, component or S-video sources; computer-based audio via a direct USB connection or from thumb drives; or your iPod using our The Bridge II docking station – the AVR 760 can handle it. You can even use a broadband connection to access a wide range of Internet radio stations. And the AVR 760 easily enables multi-room video and audio applications with Zone II and A-BUS® technology. With a true 85 watts of power to drive each of seven channels, dual subwoofer outputs and the EzSet/EQ II system to precisely tune the system’s performance parameters to the acoustic requirements of your space, the AVR 760 is the ideal receiver to satisfy a houseful of entertainment needs.