|
|
Post by rockman85 on Aug 2, 2016 18:31:12 GMT -5
Ill try to be brief. I am for sure going to be getting a 2 channel Gen 3 XPA to use with the Stealth DC-1 as a preamp. I am also buying these speakers... www.tektondesign.com/pendragon.htmlShould I go with 4 or 8 ohms? My fears is frying them, I know 4 runs a little hotter, but Im not planning on playing them at party levels or anything. Will the 8ohms get loud enough at 300wpc? |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Aug 2, 2016 18:33:10 GMT -5
1. Yeah it will get loud enough either way.
2. No you won't fry them. Hehehe.
3. Go with the four ohms. You can make use of more power from amps - though damping factor drops a bit. But it's not bad if you get the 8 ohms. Because they still go ridiculously loud.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockman85 on Aug 2, 2016 20:22:02 GMT -5
1. Yeah it will get loud enough either way. 2. No you won't fry them. Hehehe. 3. Go with the four ohms. You can make use of more power from amps - though damping factor drops a bit. But it's not bad if you get the 8 ohms. Because they still go ridiculously loud. Damping factor drops with 4 ohms..... what the heck is damping factor? |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Aug 2, 2016 20:32:18 GMT -5
I'm not really qualified to answer this. But damping factor is how well the amp can control the speaker movement.
Apparently it doesn't have to be very high to be effective and seems to matter more with tube amps than solid state in general. XPA-1 gen 2 gives greater than 500 which is very good. Tube amps tend to give something like 40. With lower impedance I think the damping factor reduces.
Either way with Tekton pendragons at 4 or 8 ohms, you are not asking tremendous amounts from your amps so I wouldn't worry too much about damping factor. The Pendragons were originally meant to be 4 ohms but were released as 8 ohms to be compatble with weaker amps and with tube amps. But now the designer has re-released the original intention which was 4 ohms. Probably not a massive difference imo but if it was me, since I have capable amps, 4 ohms is a no brainer.
But....I have heard the Pendraagons 8 ohms paired with my same amp and rest assured it gets ridiculously loud in a large living room. And I do mean loud. The whole time they acted like they were loafing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Aug 2, 2016 22:25:35 GMT -5
I'd probably go with the 8 ohm version, the 4 ohm would be absolutely no problem for the XPA power amp. But the 8 ohm would give you more flexibility in the future should you want to utilise them with another power amp. Which is the exact reason why they were released in 8 ohms, it simply gives more flexibility in amp choice.
Cheers
Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by rbk123 on Aug 3, 2016 7:49:52 GMT -5
I'd call and ask him if there's a sonic difference between the 2, then go with the one that more aligns with your taste. If none, then choose based on the above reasons (all good). Note - with a regular amp, you'll never drive them hard enough to the amp's limit; your ears would bleed, so don't let that enter the equation. However if you think you'll drive them with an exotic low-wattage amp, then 4 ohms would come into play a bit more.
|
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Aug 3, 2016 12:10:33 GMT -5
I'd call and ask him if there's a sonic difference between the 2, then go with the one that more aligns with your taste. If none, then choose based on the above reasons (all good). Note - with a regular amp, you'll never drive them hard enough to the amp's limit; your ears would bleed, so don't let that enter the equation. However if you think you'll drive them with an exotic low-wattage amp, then 4 ohms would come into play a bit more. You mean 8 ohms would come in to play a bit more? |
|
|
|
Post by rockman85 on Aug 3, 2016 12:15:35 GMT -5
I'd call and ask him if there's a sonic difference between the 2, then go with the one that more aligns with your taste. If none, then choose based on the above reasons (all good). Note - with a regular amp, you'll never drive them hard enough to the amp's limit; your ears would bleed, so don't let that enter the equation. However if you think you'll drive them with an exotic low-wattage amp, then 4 ohms would come into play a bit more. I actually did call him, sonically he said they are pretty identical. Just the 4 ohm version is louder and is "like living on the edge" or something to that effect. We were having connection issue on the phone but that was the essence of what he wast saying. I don't think I will ever use an exotic low-wattage amp as you say, I like metal and electronic music, so balls to the wall solid state for me. I am thinking 4 ohm after reading all these replies. |
|
|
|
Post by rbk123 on Aug 3, 2016 15:59:33 GMT -5
You mean 8 ohms would come in to play a bit more? Probably both depending on the amp. If it's low wattage but can handle 4 ohms, then you'll get more headroom with the 4. If it doesn't like anything but 8 ohms, then you don't have much choice. So I'd love to know what exactly he means when he says they're identical but 1 is like "living on the edge"?..  |
|
|
|
Post by rockman85 on Aug 3, 2016 21:18:15 GMT -5
You mean 8 ohms would come in to play a bit more? Probably both depending on the amp. If it's low wattage but can handle 4 ohms, then you'll get more headroom with the 4. If it doesn't like anything but 8 ohms, then you don't have much choice. So I'd love to know what exactly he means when he says they're identical but 1 is like "living on the edge"?.. Haha I think he was just enthusiastic about his product. Translated into mathematical terms, its 3db louder than the 8 ohm version. |
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Aug 3, 2016 22:06:43 GMT -5
Ah so it's more sensitive....interesting
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary Cook on Aug 4, 2016 1:49:51 GMT -5
So here's how I see it;
1. With an XPA Gen 3 driving them I seriously doubt than anyone would need the extra 3db
2. With a 4 ohm nominal rating the speakers will most likely dip down to around 2 ohms at some frequencies.
3. Of course 2 ohms will be no issue for the XPA Gen 3
4. But if you want to keep the speakers forever who knows what amp/s you might use and 8 ohms is an easier load, suite more amps
5. But, on the other hand, if you want to move them on the 8 ohm version will be easier to sell
Cheers
Gary
|
|
|
|
Post by rocky500 on Aug 4, 2016 3:43:09 GMT -5
For tekton to bring out the 4 Ohm just recently when they were already selling as a 8 Ohm speaker, says to me there might be a slight advantage to the 4 Ohm one.
Otherwise there would be no point offering the 4 Ohm as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockman85 on Aug 4, 2016 17:56:56 GMT -5
I ended up going with the 4 ohm version. My reasoning: The Pendragons are rated at 400 watt (peak), the Gen 3 Amp will provide that and then some @ 4 ohms, whereas with 8 ohms we're capped at 300 watts. I know... I know... I will probably never listen to it that loud, not for very long anyway. But I like the idea of the amp being able to provide the max potential of the speakers if I so desire.
Also, I guess the advantages of 1. Being able to sell the Pendragons more easily and 2. Being able to be driven by more amps, specifically tube amps, were less important factors since I do plan on using this speaker / amp combo for many years to come.
|
|
