I've got the same speakers. I'm using a modified FW F5. You can drive them with as little as 25 watts with the right amp, but in a large room you're going to want more like 100. That's a lot of power for what you're looking to spend. You really want something that's not going to hiccup at 2 ohm to get the best out of them.
Power for Focal Aria 936
Hi all,
Just ordered a pair of Focal Aria 936s. Focal reports a sensitivity of 92dB, but a minimum impedance of 2.8 ohms is reported:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/focal-aria-936-loudspeaker-measurements
So how much power do I really need to optimize these speakers (large room)?
Current budget for power is only $1K, either integrated or pre + power. I'm certainly open to something 2-4 years old used.
Thanks for any suggestions/thoughts.
Just ordered a pair of Focal Aria 936s. Focal reports a sensitivity of 92dB, but a minimum impedance of 2.8 ohms is reported:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/focal-aria-936-loudspeaker-measurements
So how much power do I really need to optimize these speakers (large room)?
Current budget for power is only $1K, either integrated or pre + power. I'm certainly open to something 2-4 years old used.
Thanks for any suggestions/thoughts.
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- 20 posts total
Thanks for the comments so far: Parasound A23, as well as older HCA-2200 are in the price range. Obviously a bit concerned about helomech's comments about heat (though the HCA-2200 pushes 750 WPC at 4 Ohms... Not familiar with Schmitt's. Good reviews, very intriguing. Anyone with experience out there with these? Sound quality? I'm always nervous about "audiophile quality at mid-fi prices. Emotiva is in that category as well. Locally I found a Parasound HCA1000a and Emotiva USP-1 for $300 apiece. Thoughts on those and the above?? |
If I were you I'd be sniffing out some Schitt and I wouldn't be put off by the price. A LOT of what you're buying with more expensive amps is a very expensive case. My F5 is in a very plain-jane chassis and it was over a third of the cost of the things. The 5U chassis would have been half. The Vidar is a decently built amp optimized to drive very reactive loads. Plus, you'll get a warranty with it. Had I not decided to build something I probably would have bought a few. |
So I've done some homework on the Schiit Vidar. One review mentions that low impedance at higher volume (which I do enjoy, especially as the ears age...) may trip the protection circuit. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/schiit-vidar-power-amplifier That makes me nervous, even though sure seems like you get a lot for your money. Anyone out there using the Vidar to drive the 936s? Any thoughts on the Adcom or Emotive options above, or other suggestions? |
- 20 posts total

