Yamaha NS-1000M / FX3 Sensitivity

[jmascarenhas]

Hello.
I have the NS-1000M (90dB) and the FX-3 (92dB).
I assume that with the same amp at the same volume settings position of the knob, the volume of the FX-3 should be higher due to higher sensitivity.
This doesn't happen with my speakers.
The NS-1000M play slightly louder than the FX-3 at same volume in amp/preamp.
Does that means that one of the speakers may be failing in the crossovers or there are other reasons for it?
They stand aside of eachother, so shouldn't be placement difference.
Would appreciate your help so that crossovers should be inspected before failure.
Thanks

 

[NH-MAN]

Way too many factors to worry about, the load on the amp, the presentation of each speaker can appear louder, accuracy of the numbers in the first place and 2db isn't that much. I would not expect a certain result just because the position of the volume hasn't moved for two different speakers.

 

[Vint Age]

The NS-1000M play slightly louder than the FX-3 at same volume in amp/preamp.

Other than that, how do they compare?

 

[Sparkplug]

Hello.
I have the NS-1000M (90dB) and the FX-3 (92dB).
I assume that with the same amp at the same volume settings position of the knob, the volume of the FX-3 should be higher due to higher sensitivity.
This doesn't happen with my speakers.
The NS-1000M play slightly louder than the FX-3 at same volume in amp/preamp.
Does that means that one of the speakers may be failing in the crossovers or there are other reasons for it?
They stand aside of eachother, so shouldn't be placement difference.
Would appreciate your help so that crossovers should be inspected before failure.
Thanks

Are you using the same make and length speaker cable for both speakers? How does your setup look? No info given.

As was correctly stated, I wouldn’t worry about a couple of dB’s of difference, your ears can’t tell the difference. If your Amp does not have A/B speaker selector or doesn’t support two sets of speakers (you haven’t said), I also suggest using a speaker selector switch of sorts (a reliable one) for side by side comparison, so you can A/B test on the fly.

Added later:
If your amp does support speaker A/B system, what do you observe if your switch speakers from A to B and B to A?

 

[jmascarenhas]

I am using a CR-1000 with A/B speakers out as power amp. Cables are the same with a 30cm difference in length.
The Pre is a Sony TA E-7.
The source is either CD or a Bluesound Node streamer. Sometimes a vinyl from a Sony PS-X40 with an Audio Technica.
The difference in the sound is not that much, so probably is fine. I was apprehensive that the difference should be significant from the difference in sensitivity but you say that 2 dB is imperceptible.
In relation to comparison between the two:
They are very similar in sound. I think that the differences are as expected. The FX-3 makes everything a little better.
The drivers from the NS-1000 are different from the FX-3. The FX-3 have an upgraded Medium and Tweeter and a bigger Woofer.
Also, the FX-3 uses a foam surround and not the impregnated cloth as the NS-1000M. And I am almost sure that it was like this from origin.
The most noticeable difference is the lower notes, which are lower and louder on the FX-3.
Medium and highs are slightly more revealing. Not in a more detailed way but with more presence. (Like they fill more the room)
Although many claim that the NS-1000M is very bright, I don't consider them as such. I have never felt them harsh or strident. At least not in musicality. Of course, there are strident sounds, and they will play it has is.
I have a Sony TA-N7 that is being revised/maintenanced, and I am willing to have a listen. I believe that it will make a substancial improvement in sound due to the V-FETs.
I also use a Yamaha MX-2 but the difference from the CR-1000 is not that much. The reason for using the CR-1000 and not the MX-2 for this A/B comparison is that the MX-2 at the moment does not have the relay from the B speakers. Only working with A speakers out.
Anyway, if someone wants me to record something specific I am gladly do it. Within my means to it.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Sparkplug]

I am using a CR-1000 with A/B speakers out as power amp. Cables are the same with a 30cm difference in length.
The Pre is a Sony TA E-7.
The source is either CD or a Bluesound Node streamer. Sometimes a vinyl from a Sony PS-X40 with an Audio Technica.
The difference in the sound is not that much, so probably is fine. I was apprehensive that the difference should be significant from the difference in sensitivity but you say that 2 dB is imperceptible.
In relation to comparison between the two:
They are very similar in sound. I think that the differences are as expected. The FX-3 makes everything a little better.
The drivers from the NS-1000 are different from the FX-3. The FX-3 have an upgraded Medium and Tweeter and a bigger Woofer.
Also, the FX-3 uses a foam surround and not the impregnated cloth as the NS-1000M. And I am almost sure that it was like this from origin.
The most noticeable difference is the lower notes, which are lower and louder on the FX-3.
Medium and highs are slightly more revealing. Not in a more detailed way but with more presence. (Like they fill more the room)
Although many claim that the NS-1000M is very bright, I don't consider them as such. I have never felt them harsh or strident. At least not in musicality. Of course, there are strident sounds, and they will play it has is.
I have a Sony TA-N7 that is being revised/maintenanced, and I am willing to have a listen. I believe that it will make a substancial improvement in sound due to the V-FETs.
I also use a Yamaha MX-2 but the difference from the CR-1000 is not that much. The reason for using the CR-1000 and not the MX-2 for this A/B comparison is that the MX-2 at the moment does not have the relay from the B speakers. Only working with A speakers out.
Anyway, if someone wants me to record something specific I am gladly do it. Within my means to it.
Thanks for your help.

Thank you for the very detailed info. I love hearing impressions like that.

FX3 frequency response given by Yamaha is 30Hz to 20KHz whereas NS-1000M is 40Hz to 20KHz. Although that low a frequency is not quite audible, it does change the sound presence considerably (filling the space more, etc.). Also FX3 weighs twice as much as NS-1000M according to specs and is quite bigger in size, all that accounts for the differences you’re seeing. I’m not a speaker expert but have done a lot of voice and sound quality testing in a cellular network context, I’m sure someone will correct me if I have said something false.

I think you have nothing to worry about …

 

[Vint Age]

I have a Sony TA-N7 that is being revised/maintenanced, and I am willing to have a listen. I believe that it will make a substancial improvement in sound due to the V-FETs.

Thanks for sharing your impressions! I'd love a pair of FX-3's, rubber surrounds or not.

Remember that the TA-N7 is not a true V-FET amp. The outputs are BJT's with the V-FET's in cascode. That being said, it's still a very nice amp.