INFO / SONXPLUS - NO 21-03 Stereo Speakers and Amplifiers, The Dynamic Duo!

Since the onset of containment, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of home entertainment products. Like the desire to experiment at home with new dishes instead of going to the restaurant, electronics are part of the "new normal" of the time.

I will therefore make myself the "Ricardo" of electronics!

Frozen Berry Dessert, recipe at the end! Preparation time: 15mins.

To make a good recipe, you need a good base, in electronics, we talk about the Duo amplifier and loudspeakers as the basis of a successful set, 8 steps, here we go!

N. B.: The aim here will be to demystify what a good stereo set is, so the technical data will be reduced to a minimum to qualify what you will gain from owning entertainment electronics .

(1) The integrated amplifier.

An integrated amplifier is a device that allows you to control the input source, the volume and the tone. As opposed to the power amplifier which will not allow selection or control and will require the mandatory addition of a preamplifier for this purpose.

- Cambridge Audio Azur 851

(2) The receiver (Radio and/or Network)

Here, we are referring to an "all in one" because, in addition to amplifying the sound to the desired listening levels, it will allow listening to sources such as the good old FM for radio receivers, or from now on, the web radio in its Network version. In addition, network receivers will incorporate a DAC or digital analogue decoder allowing you to listen to the famous FLAC or DSD files available for download on the market, as a replacement for the CD...

- Yamaha RN803

(3) The power amplifier

This type of device is sought after by the serious audiophile who wants power and precision. This type of amplifier does just that and requires a preamplifier to select sources and adjust the volume. Generally speaking, this is not what beginners are looking for, it's worth it but it's more expensive.

People who buy this kind of equipment want to build a custom package to their liking, adapting their budgets to the sophistication of the package. For example, if you never listen to FM radio, you don't need to invest in a radio tuner, which will leave you more money for the other components...

- Naim Audio Nap 200

(4) What to look for?

Without going too deeply into it, we must look for a low distortion rate below 0.05% in order to ensure a good realistic listening experience. The second point will be the power, which should be at least 50 watts per left and right channel for ambient listening, i.e. 100 watts in total. 200 watts and more will be necessary for a more dynamic listening.

Note that the more power you have, the more it will be possible to avoid distortion in your listening because the amplifier will not "force". It is well known that the quality of sound degrades rapidly when you exceed the capacity. Moreover, an amplifier that is not powerful enough for your needs can damage your speakers...

Many people believe that speakers need to be more powerful to be able to withstand abuse, but this is a mistake as it is quite the opposite. An amp that is too powerful will provide a cleaner current that will cause the speakers to snap when pushed too hard, so you will hear it and reduce the volume. Conversely, an amplifier that is not powerful enough, by exceeding its capacity will provide a continuous current that will melt the speaker coils. You will not hear the extent of the damage because the DC current does not generate any sound ... except when it's too late...

The last point is the signal to noise ratio, which should be less than (-) one hundred decibels or more, so that your music is absolutely unaffected by power-stealing noises!

- Naim Audio : Uniti Atom Digital Receiver.

(5) HOW MUCH TO INVEST > AMPLIFIER? 

It will depend on your current requirements and your personal path among the following 4 categories:

Beginner : For those who want to experience a richer and more powerful listening experience than car radios, portable radios, mini-channels, and so on.

Serious: For anyone who wants a more truthful listening experience with a better ability to handle the more power-demanding, distortion-inducing passages without investing too much.

Purists: Similar to the serious investor but with no compromise in the ability to reproduce soft passages (without background noise) to the most thunderous passages such as Pachelbel's canons or sustained passages as found in heavy rock or techno beats.

Audiophiles: Those who make it a real passion, for them there will be no compromise, it is the search for perfection...

• Beginners: $350 to $599

• Serious: $600 to $1250
  

• Purists: $1250 to $2500
  

• Audiophiles + $2500

 NAIM AUDIO Uniti Atom = $4290

(6) The speakers

From the outset, I am going to go against the wishes of many people who do not wish to see their speakers! For now, small speakers remain a compromise, which once pushed to the extreme (the very small ones) will destroy the fidelity that the amplifier will provide. You won't see them (much) but you will hear them... definitely; and it won't be pretty!

...In fact, to try to hear the low frequencies, the "Bass" setting will be increased, which will make the speaker work too hard, which in turn will degrade the overall sound. You will then have the choice, either a lifeless setting but with a crystal clear sound or bass but with obvious distortion.

Adding a subwoofer will not solve anything because it will be difficult to calibrate so as not to cover the sound of the small speaker. The solution will therefore lie in a medium-format or ideally a full-format (tower) speaker.

As a rule of thumb, we look for a diaphragm larger than 5 inches (12.5 cm) for the bass. One in the shelf format and two or more in the full format. A two-way speaker (speaker diaphragms) forming a bass and a treble will do the trick while the biggest "columns" will offer 3 ways which will be better for the fidelity of the sound produced.

Here one will notice that the big loudspeakers of today are much less massive than the "big columns" of grandpa!

In the past, there were loudspeakers up to 15 to 18 inches (37 to 45 cm) in size to produce a deep and powerful sound. New technologies now allow a similar performance using a membrane of only 8 inches (20 cm) or less. The result is a slimmer and less intrusive looking speaker. Bravo modernism ! Sorry Papi !

PARADIGM FOUNDER 100 Exclusive in the region.

(7) Select carefully.

Here it's more complicated to choose than with amplifiers, because the speaker industry has an unfortunate tendency to hyperbole, exaggerating their accomplishments. More than ever, buying speakers requires good honest advice and a listening session to validate it. Recommendations from friends can be helpful, but the final decision is yours to make...

After the choice of the format (1) according to its capacity to reproduce the bass without affecting the rest of the range, it will be necessary to pay attention to the Tweeter (2), the small high frequency speaker. The sound of the tweeter must be silky because to hear as if you were there, the high notes must be like in real life. For example, a cymbal should not sound like a pie plate! It's all about the nuances...

So in short, if you're looking for good sound, but nothing more, rely on these basic rules, but if you want to push it further, listening will be a must when buying.

(8) HOW MUCH TO INVEST?

Depending on whether you opt for a small-format speaker, known in the trade as a bookshelf, or a full-format speaker, the price range will vary greatly.

Based on what is currently recognized, here is a suggested budget for each category.

Once again I propose 4 categories of buyers:

Beginner : For those who want to try out the experience of superior listening to headphones, car radios, portable radios and so on.

Serious: For anyone who wants a more nuanced audiophile-type listening experience without investing too much.

Purists: For people who want to miss nothing in all the musical nuances, we are talking about feelings as much as precision listening, capturing the nuances with emotional attributes...

Audiophiles: Those who make it a real passion, for them there will be no compromise, it is the search for perfection...

Compact speakers:

• Beginner : 350 $ à 650 $ 

• Serious : 650 $ à 1499 $

• Purists: 1500 $ à 2600 $

• Audiophiles: + $2600
  

Ex : PARADIGM FOUNDER 40B = 2699 

Full size speakers:

• Beginners : 800 $ à 1299 $

• Serious : 1300 $ à 2499 $

• Purists: + $2250 

• Audiophiles : + 4500 $

 Exclusive FOUNDER 2021series by Paradigm.

The last word.

I hope this exercise has been useful to you. You don't need a bachelor's degree in engineering to acquire a sound system. Relying on professional advice and your ear will do the trick. Checking out forums is also a good source of information to validate your choices. The more a manufacturer or dealer takes detours and uses pompous terminology, the more you should be wary and double-check. Of course, if you are comfortable with the terminology of the field, it will be a plus to be able to read or discuss on the subject, but basically, human experience will be the proof of everything!

Stay tuned!

The recipe for our dessert!

https://www.kraftcanada.ca/fr-ca/recette/dessert-congele-aux-petits-fruits-144689

- Christian