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Speakers to pair with a HK 330c and Sansui AU-505

S

SilvioT

New Member
Hi there, I'm new here.

I'm a becoming audiophile from Berlin, Germany. Recently I found a lot of good information here at AK and hope to get some fitting recommendations for a (or two) pair of new speakers. I recently overhauled my system and got a Technics SL-D2 TT, a Harman Kardon 330c receiver and Bang & Olufsen Beovox S-45-2 speaker. I'm loving it! The sound is awesome! They fit my room (4x6m room (3m high) very well.

Unfortunately, I turned the volume up a lot and the HK 330c went quiet. Now I'm waiting to hear from the mechanic. He already told me that the HK and B&O don't match well because they're 4 Ohm speaker and a 8-16 Ohm receiver. Is that so? Should I still gamble with the B&O or get new speakers? I came across some Jensen Model 4, Acoustic Research AR4XA, Dynaco A-25, Klipsch Heresy 1 and plenty of JBL L series speakers (L19, L26, L36 to name a few). What would you recommend to go with the HK 330c? Please have in mind my living room is what it is (4x6m (3m high)) and many of the common models available in the US are hard to find in Germany.

Meanwhile I purchased a Sansui AU-505 (and TU-505) because they're 4 Ohm and shouldn't havoc the B&O. But do they match? Or is there a pair of speakers which would fit both, the HK 330c and the AU-505? What speakers would be more recommendable for the AU-505? Old Klipsch are difficult to find, in case you wonder. The Klipsch Heresy 1 is like 1.000 Euros which seems to be too much. The Klipsch RP-600M looks more affordable, but does it fit the AU-505 well?

The music I listen too is very diverse, but more likely to be old rock, soul, funk, jazz, some blues. I also like newer music, including electronic music. Which music is more likely to sound good on which receiver/amp and speaker sets.

Sorry to post all my questions in one thread.

Best regards from Berlin
 
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SilvioT said:
... I recently overhauled my system and got a Technics SL-D2 TT, a Harman Kardon 330c receiver and Bang & Olufsen Beovox S-45-2 speaker. I'm loving it! The sound is awesome! They fit my room (4x6m room (3m high) very well.

Unfortunately, I turned the volume up a lot and the HK 330c went quiet. Now I'm waiting to hear from the mechanic. He already told me that the HK and B&O don't match well because they're 4 Ohm speaker and a 8-16 Ohm receiver. Is that so?
Click to expand...

willkómmen to AK and here's hoping you enjoy your time here.

Unfortunately yes in your case you were using an under powered receiver (20 wpc into 8 ohm)

SilvioT said:
Should I still gamble with the B&O or get new speakers? I came across some Jensen Model 4, Acoustic Research AR4XA, Dynaco A-25, Klipsch Heresy 1 and plenty of JBL L series speakers (L19, L26, L36 to name a few). What would you recommend to go with the HK 330c?
Click to expand...

If you decide to stick with the H/K just be sure that any speakers you consider that you take the time to research their specifications and that they are at least 8ohm,

SilvioT said:
I purchased a Sansui AU-505 (and TU-505) because they're 4 Ohm. But do they match? Or is there a pair of speakers which would fit both, the HK 330c and the AU-505? What speakers would be more recommendable for the AU-505? Old Klipsch are difficult to find, in case you wonder. The Klipsch Heresy 1 is like 1.000 Euros which seems to be too much. The Klipsch RP-600M looks more affordable, but does it fit the AU-505 well?
Click to expand...

The Sansui 505 is capable of 4 ohm but that does not mean it is "4 Ohm" and that does not apply to the TU-505, which is a tuner. While Sansui's of that era are great in my opinion it is too low a powered unit* with 4 ohm speakers and playing music loud

Screen Shot 2024-01-07 at 5.55.12 PM.png
 
Dswankey said:
willkómmen to AK and here's hoping you enjoy your time here.

Unfortunately yes in your case you were using an under powered receiver (20 wpc into 8 ohm)



If you decide to stick with the H/K just be sure that any speakers you consider that you take the time to research their specifications and that they are at least 8ohm,



The Sansui 505 is capable of 4 ohm but that does not mean it is "4 Ohm" and that does not apply to the TU-505, which is a tuner. While Sansui's of that era are great in my opinion it is too low a powered unit* with 4 ohm speakers and playing music loud

View attachment 3083106
Click to expand...
Thanks for your answer and the Willkommen! So it's new speakers for both, the HK 330c and Sansui 505. You think there are speakers fitting both or shall go for different speaker pairs? And if I do what would you recommend for HK and Sansui?
 
You don't necessarily have to get new speakers, if you stick with the Sansui & or the H/K you'll just have to not listen at too loud levels. I run a 10-12 watt amp with some efficient speakers and seeing as I no longer listen to music at loud to louder levels everything is fine.

A good pair of efficient speakers should play well with both the Sansui & H/K so when looking/shopping for speakers try not to focus on pricing as you first priority also speakers are very subjective to each persons ears, listening styles, room placement etc.

Here's a random example of what you should be looking for, note: some manufacturers used the word sensitivity others efficiency either way the higher the number, for a lack of a better term, the easier they are to drive with lower rated amp/receiver.

Screen Shot 2024-01-07 at 6.37.58 PM.png
 
Another thing you might consider looking for speakers in Germany is that German manufactured speakers seem to have a good reputation. Brands such as Canton, Braun etc might be more readily available to you probably at a more cost effective price point compared to some of the American made speakers you've mentioned.

You might find this interesting, as one of AK's resident German members shares his knowledge and some good links


Vintage Canton Speaker Pecking Order

I've been looking at Canton speakers for a number of months, as they do come up occasionally in my area. I'm pretty confused as to the pecking order of the vintage models, however. There's the CT, Karat, and Quinto that I believe were all produced in the '80s. Then there's the newer Plus, Ergo...
audiokarma.org
 
Dswankey said:
Another thing you might consider looking for speakers in Germany is that German manufactured speakers seem to have a good reputation. Brands such as Canton, Braun etc might be more readily available to you probably at a more cost effective price point compared to some of the American made speakers you've mentioned.

You might find this interesting, as one of AK's resident German members shares his knowledge and some good links


Vintage Canton Speaker Pecking Order

I've been looking at Canton speakers for a number of months, as they do come up occasionally in my area. I'm pretty confused as to the pecking order of the vintage models, however. There's the CT, Karat, and Quinto that I believe were all produced in the '80s. Then there's the newer Plus, Ergo...
audiokarma.org
Click to expand...
Thanks again for your comments. They really help! I very much liked the Braun L710, but they're 4 Ohm speaker and I want 8 Ohm to better match the other components. I didn't like the Cantons I saw.
 
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I had a look at the available speakers in my area. I came up with the following:
- Acoustic Research AR-4xa (for 330 Euro)
- Jensen Model 4 (for 225)
- Dynaco A-25 (360 Euro)
- Polk Monitor 10 (for 150)
- Klipsch RP 600 M (starting from 500 Euro)

Which one or two would you recommend for the HK 330c and Sansui AU-505? Would you pick one for one amp/receiver each? To listen and see what I like best I have to buy them first. It's a mid sized living room.
 
And I found the L19, L26 Decade, 36 Decade and JBL 110 for small money. L52, L65, L82, L100, L166 too, but I guess they're too big for my room.
 
So on the follow up. I got the Sansui AU-505 (haven't tried the TU-505 yet) and the sound is a bit disappointing. I have the feeling there's not much going on compared to the HK 330c. It lacks the colours and the soundstage. Not bad, just nowhere near as good as the same setup with the 330c.
 
On the speaker side I found a Dynaco A-25 which should be here in some days. I hope this is a better match to both, 330c and AU-505. I hope to improve from the B&O Beovox S 45-2.
 
I got a 330c receiver some weeks ago. I have B&O Beovox S 45-2 speakers. I very much like the sound of both of them together, but I want to see if I can improve with different speakers. I'm based in Berlin, Germany and have access to different speakers here. However, I was able to get some Dynaco A-25 everyone keeps referring to at AK. But the Braun L710 (same as ADS of the same specification) are even cheaper as the A-25. I wonder if they match well with the 330c or the power is not enough.

Funnily the HK 730 is available for the same price as the 330c. So upgrading the receiver could also be an option.
 
I could also try get smaller Braun speaker better suiting the 330c. Or look for KEF, Heco, Infinity speaker. JBL 19, 26 Decade or Pioneer HPM 60 also available here.
 
I had the 330c for some time now and got the AU-505 recently. The first impression of the 505 is not good. The sound is thin, less bass, less sound overall. Anyone else who can compare both units?

Speakers are B&O Beovox S 45-2.
 
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Yes. You're absolutely right. Nice speakers but also 4 ohm. It seems like almost all vintage speakers from Germany are 4 Ohm.
 
Merged all your similar threads together into one common thread.
 
With either, you are going to have to live within their capabilities. I ran a 330c for years, on a variety of speakers, and used within reason, worked quite well, even with full sized Magnepans.
 
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