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Dynaudio C1 II owners - how loud can you go?

Hi All,

I just had a question regarding the review of the Dynaudio C1 II's here: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/dynaudio-confidence-c1-ii/

Jeff mentioned that with the right amount of power, the speakers never run out of headroom. I bought a pair last year and connected them them to a Peachtree Nova220SE (class D - yes, but it's rated 350w at 4ohms). I download and stream a lot of digital music off my mac with itunes+amarra or via tidal, and this amp made sense - I listen to this setup in my bedroom and don't have a lot of room for separates.

My question for the forum is, do these have a problem when playing loud? I can't seem to get more than 10-11 o'clock on the volume control on the peachtree with bass heavy tracks before I hear a high pitched "pop" (almost a bird like "tweet") and have to lower the volume. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, were you able to correct the problem by swapping amps, cables, etc? Am I just expecting too much from these speakers?

Thanks,
Derek
dmc703
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
The severity of teh problem as you describe could likely indicate a defect or problem somewhere with teh gear or their conenctions. First thing though I would check all wires and connections as well to make sure there are no shorted connections etc.

I did have a malfunction in one of my amps (defective input buffer circuit board) once that resulted in distorted sound along the lines you describe. It could well just be that the amp has a defect. Do you have any other speakers or amps to try to see if similar problems? Is problem the same in both channels? if not does the sound switch to other speaker if you switch r/l output from amp?
valinar
377 posts
 
I used to have a pair of c1"s, not the II version. I used a Simaudio i7 integrated amp. They played quite loud without any distortion. My room size is 18x12x8. Perhaps your amp is giving you a problem.
In answer to your last question- if your room is not too big, it would be hard to ask "too much from these speakers".
jc4659
172 posts
 
Mapman gives good advice. I doubt that the problem lies with your speakers. If possible, you should see if a local audio dealer would be willing to loan you a high powered integrated to take home for a day to see if the problem is the Peachtree.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,318 posts
 

Considering the scenario of heavy bass, loud volume, and a "pop", I'm thinking "bottoming out" of a woofer in one of the speakers. This occurs when there is extreme excursion of the woofer cone, and the voice coil hits the back of the pole structure. If this is the problem, you have reached the limit of the speaker's performance for bass reproduction, and a different amp will not solve the problem. The solution would be to add a subwoofer with high pass to the main speaker, or use a different speaker.
dmc703 OP
1 posts
 
Thanks all. I'll be swapping out some components and cables in the coming weeks and will report back with findings. I'll give Dynaudio a call if it still occurs after eliminating all other sources and see what they have to say.

I did email Jeff at Toneaudio and he responded thinking it's the amp clipping. I honestly don't think I'm pushing these speakers too hard. When this "issue" happens, I have it loud but it's not anywhere near what I'd call crazy or ear bleeding. My room is around 13x16x9 - so I'd think these speakers could pressurize the space without any trouble based on reviews and your comments. I've had much cheaper speakers at much louder volumes. For what I paid for these speakers, I'd expect so much more.
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