twiiii
Lunatic Member
I was reading an issue of Stereophile the other day and the author was saying the dynamic range of CD's has been reduced from 16.3 db above the average power level to less than 9 db.
So I was thinking if the average person listens at 85 db with a point source speaker at 8 ft with a speaker of 90 db sensitivity the power required would be about 2 watts. Nothing extreme, but if you had one of the older less compressed CD's then you would need 100 watts. In the days of LP's electronics for recordings were capable of capturing 24 db peaks. I use to measure 20 db peaks all the time with a storage oscilloscope from the output of my 300- 2/4 and Ag 350. Even my little F4460 could capture 20 db peaks. So that would mean you would need 200 watts. If you are an audio phile or recording engineer or producer that listens at an average level of 90 db that would mean you would need about another 6 db of power or 800 watts. Now how many folks can afford 800 watt power amps or own speakers that are linear with an 800 watt input signal?
I am of the opinion we need more efficient speakers if you like to listen to linear recordings that are uncompressed either from CD's or vinyl. If you were listening at 90 db and a 16 db peak came along and you had a speaker with 98 db efficiency, then you would only need a 50 watt amplifier for an audiophile and maybe 16 watts for the average person.
Doesn't that make more sense. So how do we achieve these goals. The amps, that's easy. The speakers, well horns come to mind ,but that requires some real engineering! A path main stream designers have chosen not to follow lately. JBL has its K2 and DD series, and Klipsch its Heritage speakers, Altec is still around at Great Plains Audio, Volti, and other small independents are available. But what about something reasonably priced for the masses that are craving great sound.
I want more life like efficient speakers? What about you?
So I was thinking if the average person listens at 85 db with a point source speaker at 8 ft with a speaker of 90 db sensitivity the power required would be about 2 watts. Nothing extreme, but if you had one of the older less compressed CD's then you would need 100 watts. In the days of LP's electronics for recordings were capable of capturing 24 db peaks. I use to measure 20 db peaks all the time with a storage oscilloscope from the output of my 300- 2/4 and Ag 350. Even my little F4460 could capture 20 db peaks. So that would mean you would need 200 watts. If you are an audio phile or recording engineer or producer that listens at an average level of 90 db that would mean you would need about another 6 db of power or 800 watts. Now how many folks can afford 800 watt power amps or own speakers that are linear with an 800 watt input signal?
I am of the opinion we need more efficient speakers if you like to listen to linear recordings that are uncompressed either from CD's or vinyl. If you were listening at 90 db and a 16 db peak came along and you had a speaker with 98 db efficiency, then you would only need a 50 watt amplifier for an audiophile and maybe 16 watts for the average person.
Doesn't that make more sense. So how do we achieve these goals. The amps, that's easy. The speakers, well horns come to mind ,but that requires some real engineering! A path main stream designers have chosen not to follow lately. JBL has its K2 and DD series, and Klipsch its Heritage speakers, Altec is still around at Great Plains Audio, Volti, and other small independents are available. But what about something reasonably priced for the masses that are craving great sound.
I want more life like efficient speakers? What about you?
