Which speakers will fill 5,000 cubic ft coherently

Classic Audio Reproductions T3 or T5. Ralph owns the T1.

Or, Duke's Audiokinesis Jazz Modules.

Or, Zu Audio Presence.

Any of these will fill the room and work tremendously well with the Atma amps.

FWIW, Classic Audio Reproductions loudspeakers utilize TAD/Pioneer drivers.

If you scroll down the page on the Classic Audio Reproductions Contemporary Line page, you will see the T5. These look like traditional box speakers, yet they are 94dB and 16 ohms. I don't believe the T5 use a horn, although the T3 do...and they don't look like traditional horn speakers either.

10" wide limit? Wow.

Maybe something from the Coincident line...

I would think the impedance curve of the Zu Definition, Presence, or any of the Coincident speaker lineup would be better suited than the Tylers to your Atma-Sphere amps.

I've head the Definitions and the top-of-the-line Coincident model, but honestly I don't believe it matters what I think of them. What's most important is that the speakers you consider have impedance specs that mate with your amps. Ask Ralph.

Tyler Woodmere have a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, which means they have a minimum impedance lower than 4 ohms.

Atma-Sphere recommends a minimum impedance of no lower than 8 ohms, and preferably not below 6 ohms.

03-17-08: Springbok10
Tyler says no problem with the Woodmeres and Bill at Atma-Sphere says no problem (4 ohms, dips to low 3's, 91 db sensitivity)- so it seems between the Zu Definitions and Woodmeres so far.........

I find that surprising, and almost incredible. The advice from Bill is completely at odds with advice Ralph has given me over the past few months.

It does not surprise me that Tyler would say no problem.

I guess you'll find out when you hear the combo.

You might consider trying Speltz Zero boxes with the Tylers to double (or triple) their impedance.

Can anybody tell me why there are such divided camps on the Definition?
Springbok10 (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

It's no different than any other speaker or component. Some people like the sound, and other people don't.

Audition them in your home and you decide.

So that doesn't disqualify a 4 ohm speaker for mating with the MA-2, since the speaker's 91 db sensitivity will compensate somewhat.

A speaker's impedance and sensitivity are two completely different things, and one does not compensate for the other.

A sensitivity rating (91 dB) tells you how loudly a speaker will play given 1 watt of power measured 1 meter from the drivers. It tells you how effectively the speakers will fill your room with sound.

The speaker's impedance tells you if its tonality will be balanced and natural given a particular amplifier. Improperly matched impedance will result in a tone that's either unbalanced from top to bottom (i.e. a speaker sounds bright because the highs are louder than the mids and bass), or sounds unnatural (for essentially the same reason).

I'm interested to know how you or Ralph are determining that the Woodmere speakers have a benign impedance curve since the minimum impedance spec of the Woodmere is not published on the Tyler webpage. Ty only publishes the nominal impedance spec.

03-19-08: Springbok10
I'm not arguing about any of your points, tvad, just reporting what Ralph said based on Ty's conversation and Ralph's knowledge of the speakers.

Nor am I arguing any of your points. I just wanted to know where the Tyler minimum impedance info came from. Thanks for the answer.

Good luck on the hunt. I'm sure you'll find something great.

all tube amps are being unfairly tainted as incapable of driving real world speakers.
Onhwy61 (System | Threads | Answers)

I don't pick up that generalization from this thread. The discussion here has been focused on Atma-Sphere OTL amps, because these are what the OP owns and intends to use.

Certainly, as you say, here are many tube amps that will drive 4 ohm loads, particularly if the impedance curve is flat.

Shadorne makes a good point about bi-amping. It would open up the possibilities. This is essentially what the Zu Definition and Presence speakers do with their built-in subwoofers.

I can't recall if you mentioned the distance from the rear wall to your speakers, but if it's close then then Definitions might not be the best choice since their woofers are rear firing. Might be boomy.

I mentioned Coincident early in the thread. I believe they're a good speaker to investigate. Be aware they have side firing woofers, so think about the width of the space into which they'd be placed. Not sure if a hard surface in close proximity to the woofers be an issue to consider. The speakers can be arranged so the woofers fire either inward or outward.

Might be a good choice, though. Certainly well suited to the Atma amps!

I dont believe that the vertical soundstage and imaging would be that much affected by subs. But it's moot.
Springbok10 (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

Hard to believe, but adding a sub (or two) to monitors has a substantial effect on increased image height and size. Quite amazing, actually...

Are you saying that a recording of content (eg a soprano, violin, piccolo, flute, oboe) well above 60 Hz - an arbitrary cut-off for a suubwoofer - when the subwoofer presumably will not be employed (or will it??) raises the soundstage? What if I tell you that 90% of what I listen to is in the aove 60 Hz range? Then what? I am not being facetious - educate me........
Springbok10 (Reviews | Threads | Answers)

If you listen primarily to recordings with music well above 60Hz, then I don't know what box speakers will provide the image you seek.
Any speaker that reproduces frequencies below 60Hz seems to be overkill and unnecessary if you don't listen to music in these frequencies. What you listen to seems ideal for monitors. Perhaps you would be better served by looking for monitors that perform differently than your Kharmas.

It seems to me you need high SPLs with wide dispersion.

How about a pair of Zu Audio Tones or Druids? When I heard both at a Zu Audio Demo, I preferred the Tones.

Maybe some monitor aficionados will offer suggestions. I'm out of ideas.