MC 30's

[rocknroll1]

how would a set of freshly serviced mc 30's do with a pair of JBL l300's? Tech said they tested out at 42 wpc after servicing. I also have a accuphase p 400 (200 wpc) that I could use with them.

 

[62caddy]

The high sensitivity of the L300 should be plenty to work well with a 40 watt amplifier.

My MC30s develop respectable volume levels with a pair of speakers with far lower sensitivity than the L300.

 

[Mike Gibson]

Should be a match made in heaven. JBL, Altec & Klipsch with tubes = divine music.

 

[darkblue94]

how would a set of freshly serviced mc 30's do with a pair of JBL l300's? Tech said they tested out at 42 wpc after servicing. I also have a accuphase p 400 (200 wpc) that I could use with them.

Sorry but you're going to need a lot more watts than the MC30's can do, go ahead and send them my way and I'll make sure to properly dispose of them for you.

 

[rocknroll1]

Sorry but you're going to need a lot more watts than the MC30's can do, go ahead and send them my way and I'll make sure to properly dispose of them for you.

send email address and I will email them to you

 

[Crestwood23]

All kidding aside, I do think you’ll need a lot more juice to get the most out of the big 15” L300 woofers. I found the published sensitivity rating of the L300’s to be a bit misleading. The drivers are a combination of ultra efficient (the lucite tweeters and the mid horns) with the not so efficient (giant magnets in the giant 15” woofers). I tried an MC225 and a Marantz 8b on mine, the mids and highs were amazing but the bass wasn’t as good as it could be. This lead me down the road of rebuilding the crossovers to allow for bi-amping so I could use a high current high damping amp on the woofers (I used a Crown) with lower power tube sweetness on the HF drivers. It was a lot of effort and tweaking, but in the end the sound was incredible.

 

[TimmehTan]

The high sensitivity of the L300 should be plenty to work well with a 40 watt amplifier.

My MC30s develop respectable volume levels with a pair of speakers with far lower sensitivity than the L300.

Agreed.

 

[Mike Gibson]

All kidding aside, I do think you’ll need a lot more juice to get the most out of the big 15” L300 woofers. I found the published sensitivity rating of the L300’s to be a bit misleading. The drivers are a combination of ultra efficient (the lucite tweeters and the mid horns) with the not so efficient (giant magnets in the giant 15” woofers). I tried an MC225 and a Marantz 8b on mine, the mids and highs were amazing but the bass wasn’t as good as it could be. This lead me down the road of rebuilding the crossovers to allow for bi-amping so I could use a high current high damping amp on the woofers (I used a Crown) with lower power tube sweetness on the HF drivers. It was a lot of effort and tweaking, but in the end the sound was incredible.

This is what I have done with my Valencias. The end result is very rewarding. I can change the crossover level on the fly and generally tweak the speakers to my heart's content. You can get a decent electronic crossover for under $200.00, or spend a lot of money on one. If I had the money I would have a McIntosh MEN 220 in my system. This would give not only the crossover but room correction also. Whichever way you decide to go I'm quite certain you will enjoy the ride immensely.

 

[twiiii]

I was surprised according to JBL a L 300 has a sensitivity of about 92 db at 1 meter with one watt. Thats not very high, but for small listening distances 10 ft, should be adequate. That would be 107 db with 30 watts. At 10 feet that would be around 98+ db. Not concert level for sure. I would agree as the speaker is rated at 180 watts, that I would want stronger amps. Maybe a 7150, 2155, for older amps and the new MC 152 for newer amps. I guess two MC 275's if you want tubes. You could start out with a single 275 and then add a second if you feel its necessary. With MC-30's Cornwalls would be first on my List. MC-30's worked well with Bozak 4000 Symphony and 305 Concerto Grosso. Altec Capistranos and Carmel would be ideal as would be the older JBL Harkness or EV-6 or Georgian. I'm not fond of Klipsch La Scala but with 105 db sensitivty they would be ideal. Even Klipsch Cornerhorns would be a great match.

 

[rocknroll1]

I was surprised according to JBL a L 300 has a sensitivity of about 92 db at 1 meter with one watt. Thats not very high, but for small listening distances 10 ft, should be adequate. That would be 107 db with 30 watts. At 10 feet that would be around 98+ db. Not concert level for sure. I would agree as the speaker is rated at 180 watts, that I would want stronger amps. Maybe a 7150, 2155, for older amps and the new MC 152 for newer amps. I guess two MC 275's if you want tubes. You could start out with a single 275 and then add a second if you feel its necessary. With MC-30's Cornwalls would be first on my List. MC-30's worked well with Bozak 4000 Symphony and 305 Concerto Grosso. Altec Capistranos and Carmel would be ideal as would be the older JBL Harkness or EV-6 or Georgian. I'm not fond of Klipsch La Scala but with 105 db sensitivty they would be ideal. Even Klipsch Cornerhorns would be a great match.

Thanks for all the replies. As mentioned in the OP, I have an accuphase P-400 that should work fine with them. From what I have read I think I can try the MC 30's without worry of clipping. It is funny you mentioned cornwalls because thats my other set of speakers currently hooked up to the MC 30's. The JBL's are just something I have been wanting and found some semi local. If I like them as much as i think I might trade up to a 275 later on to keep it tube. Does anyone have suggestions on placement for the L300's (i.e. how far from corners and walls and how far apart)?