Speakers sensitivity

[ddude003]

I agree, it should be mandatory to change your gear every 3 years, it should be put into law

Maybe that should include the wives too...

 

[Gerry Iaria]

The subs are certainly the key, I wouldn’t replace the speakers until you have them set up and the crossover set at 80Hz and see how that sounds.

Definitely not 80 in my room, it seems the worst crossover,the best is 110, but not in a hurry to change just yet, unless.....

 

[Gerry Iaria]

Maybe that should include the wives too...

that's a thought

 

[JStewart]

I’m going to be the contrarian here and say objectively speaking the 1961 monitors are very good speakers. The sensitivity spec is accurate. There are Klippel CEA2034 measurements on Erin’s Audio Corner and ASR, as well as measurements done by James Larson on Audioholic, to back this up.

With respect to the low end... clearly Arendal made a choice between a more extended low end or sensitivity/dynamic range. I suspect, but haven’t checked, the sensitivity matches their other speakers in the model line, so customers could mix/match them in the same system, i.e. they will output the same volume with the same voltage, or at least close enough so as not to cost system headroom, because you balance the volume to the quietest (least efficient) speaker.

My last point is this monitor is a sealed speaker and the bass rolloff is close enough to 80dB to call it that. As a sealed speaker the rolloff will be approx 12dB per octave which is exactly what almost every AVR is looking for with their 12dB/octave speaker highpass and 24dB/octave subwoofer low pass xover scheme. I checked the owner’s manual for the cinema 50 and don’t see the xo slopes/types specified in it. An email to marantz customer service would answer the question, if you’re inclined.

I did also see this Marantz has Dirac. If you are using Dirac then the XOs will be Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave slopes for both high and low pass. This would not be ideal with the 1961 monitors for reasons covered in this document (which can also be accessed by link from Dirac’s website) (and disregard that it references Dirac 2. Dirac 3 is the same.)

Setting crossovers in an AVR/pre-pro with Dirac Live 2 room correction

So, if you’re not using Dirac, I advise to keep these very good speakers.
Extra benefit... Happy wife, happy life.

 

[Gerry Iaria]

I’m going to be the contrarian here and say objectively speaking the 1961 monitors are very good speakers. The sensitivity spec is accurate. There are Klippel CEA2034 measurements on Erin’s Audio Corner and ASR, as well as measurements done by James Larson on Audioholic, to back this up.

With respect to the low end... clearly Arendal made a choice between a more extended low end or sensitivity/dynamic range. I suspect, but haven’t checked, the sensitivity matches their other speakers in the model line, so customers could mix/match them in the same system, i.e. they will output the same volume with the same voltage, or at least close enough so as not to cost system headroom, because you balance the volume to the quietest (least efficient) speaker.

My last point is this monitor is a sealed speaker and the bass rolloff is close enough to 80dB to call it that. As a sealed speaker the rolloff will be approx 12dB per octave which is exactly what almost every AVR is looking for with their 12dB/octave speaker highpass and 24dB/octave subwoofer low pass xover scheme. I checked the owner’s manual for the cinema 50 and don’t see the xo slopes/types specified in it. An email to marantz customer service would answer the question, if you’re inclined.

I did also see this Marantz has Dirac. If you are using Dirac then the XOs will be Linkwitz-Riley 24dB/octave slopes for both high and low pass. This would not be ideal with the 1961 monitors for reasons covered in this document (which can also be accessed by link from Dirac’s website) (and disregard that it references Dirac 2. Dirac 3 is the same.)

Setting crossovers in an AVR/pre-pro with Dirac Live 2 room correction

So, if you’re not using Dirac, I advise to keep these very good speakers.
Extra benefit... Happy wife, happy life.

Thank you very much for your very good reply, I'm not using Dirac, so happy life, my wife has her own tv and soundbar, so happy me then

 

[Gerry Iaria]

another thing, I was offered yesterday a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 6, towers, I know that they are not new, to replace my Arendal, is that a good idea?? wasn't looking for towers, but if they're good, maybe I should consider??

 

[Sonnie]

It would be nice if you could hear them in your room.

 

[Gerry Iaria]

It would be nice if you could hear them in your room.

I suppose that's the only way to see if they're good for me