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Sonos Faber Lumina III 4ohm

N

Notnilc

Member
Good morning McIntosh forum,
I am demoing the new Sonos Faber Lumina’s on my all McIntosh system, MC275 VI, C2300 pre, and MR88. I conducted a side by side comparison with the Heresy IV’s. While the Lumina’s sound great they don’t have the same presence as the heresy’s. Having said that, these are 4 ohm speakers therefore I was utilizing the 4 ohm tap on the MC275. The dealer suggested I use the 8 ohm tap to “open them up”. Are there any issues this connection to the 8 ohm tap could cause for the speakers or the amp?
 
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The dealer is suggesting that you give up headroom for more gain. Since the Heresey is a more sensitive speaker it will play louder.

I don't know the actual range of the speaker system's impedance but as far as the amplifier goes,I don't see any risk to the amplifier. the 4 Ohm tap is likely the correct one but give it a try. If you're not running out of volume adjustment on your preamp then it is unlikely that the 8 Ohm tap will make it better (but it will make it louder).
 
Understood. Thanks for the quick reply. So if I understand this correctly. The 4 ohm impedance tap will allow the 4 ohm speakers to play at their max level. Whereas the 8 ohm tap may not give them the power they need?
 
The difference between the two being the 4 ohm tap has twice the current, but half the gain. Kind of like choosing a lower gear, ... there’s a gear for every hill. Choose the higher gain / lower current 8 ohm tap and you might run out of current to drive the speakers and clip sooner, try it and see what you think as hopefully the Salesman actually knows from experience. It would be a typical louder is better approach though.
 
Tube amps are basically voltage amps and don't have the current capability the SS amps have. Look at the peak rating the older 275 amps have is very small. Yes the bass might be a bit better controlled with the 4 ohm tap, but you will be asking for premature tube failure if you push system using the 8 ohm tap. With the Hersey's I doubt if you use more than a watt or two, Where with the SF 14 times the power or more. If you want a full range speaker you should be looking at the Cornwalls. They are slightly more efficient than the Hersey and the bass reaches a 5th an octave lower.
When I auditioned the New Hersey iV and the Cornwall IV I was really impressed as Klipsch has chosen to dial back the mid horns a bit for a better over all balance. The ports for the Hersey really help, too, along with the new horn designs. But the SF can be very impressive with the right power match along with the extended bass. They recommend 250 watt amps.

My speakers have the same efficieny as the SF 89 db 1 meter with 2.83 volts which is 2 watts not 1 watt as with the 8 ohm Hersey. If you want to keep your 275 better look at Cornwalls. Normally listen at 3 to 6 watt levels with 30 watt to 60 watt peaks depending on the recording. If I am serious I may reach just over 100 watts. As my speakers are MAC line arrays they have less loss in energy level every time you double the one meter reference distance. With the SF speakers I would be pushing them much to hard. You should also notice with your Hersey that the definition is better at the same distance. as it will also be with the Cornwall.
 
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