Speakers sensitivity

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

Hi, I have a few questions that hopefully can be answered here.
My front 3 speakers Arendal 1961 monitors, had them about 5 years, they have 87db sensitivity, and also rolling off at 73 db, having speakers with higher sensitivity and lower roll off, will they sound better, easier to drive? or I have cought the upgrade bug? Hope it's not contagious

Sonnie · May 16, 2024

Yes... higher sensitivity speakers are easier to drive, but the speaker's frequency response and room placement will determine where they roll off. The closer you have them to the wall, the more room boundary gain you will experience. I have mine pulled out considerably to create better imaging and depth acuity. I want the sound stage to be deep as well as wide. It's hard to get that with speakers up against a wall. So, I need a subwoofer to get the lower octaves. Of course, my main front speakers are only rated to 60Hz to begin with.

I've had the upgrade bug for a number of years now... can't shake it.

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

Sonnie said:
Yes... higher sensitivity speakers are easier to drive, but the speaker's frequency response and room placement will determine where they roll off. The closer you have them to the wall, the more room boundary gain you will experience. I have mine pulled out considerably to create better imaging and depth acuity. I want the sound stage to be deep as well as wide. It's hard to get that with speakers up against a wall. So, I need a subwoofer to get the lower octaves. Of course, my main front speakers are only rated to 60Hz to begin with.

I've had the upgrade bug for a number of years now... can't shake it.

I wonder if you'll ever be cured of that bug :laugh:

this are the specs for my front 3s,
Manufacturer Specs:

Design 2-way.
Tweeter 28 mm.
Woofer 2 x 5.5”
Enclosure Sealed.
Enclosure material High Density Fiberboard (HDF)
Crossover frequency 1500Hz.
Sensitivity 87dB/2.83v/1m.
Frequency response 73-20kHz (+/-3dB)

Todd Anderson · May 16, 2024

I'm guessing you're talking 73Hz (not 73dB)?

Generally speaking, higher sensitivity = easier to drive, though I'd take those sensitivity specs with a grain of salt. Speaker manufacturers know that's something buyers focus on, which means there's a decent chance they'll fudge the spec to make it look as appealing as possible.

In terms of low-end output, and some members might disagree, but the more capable a speaker is in the bass region, the more taxing it will be on your amp(s). Takes more energy to drive larger drivers (or larger driver arrays).

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

Todd Anderson said:
I'm guessing you're talking 73Hz (not 73dB)?

Generally speaking, higher sensitivity = easier to drive, though I'd take those sensitivity specs with a grain of salt. Speaker manufacturers know that's something buyers focus on, which means there's a decent chance they'll fudge the spec to make it look as appealing as possible.

In terms of low-end output, and some members might disagree, but the more capable a speaker is in the bass region, the more taxing it will be on your amp(s). Takes more energy to drive larger drivers (or larger driver arrays).

Yes, 73hz, sorry, my bad

but is 87db sensitivity good in this case?

Todd Anderson · May 16, 2024

LOL... time out for you!

87 is a fairly average sensitivity number. Super, highly sensitive speakers rate in the 90+ dB range. I don't think 87 is going to be taxing on your amp section, if that's what you're asking.

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

Todd Anderson said:
LOL... time out for you!

87 is a fairly average sensitivity number. Super, highly sensitive speakers rate in the 90+ dB range. I don't think 87 is going to be taxing on your amp section, if that's what you're asking.

Thank you Todd

Calypso · May 16, 2024

Like to follow up with what @Sonnie mentioned which was coupled to your question of roll off and sound quality. In general the lower frequencies are strongly influenced by room modes, assuming of course that you are not listening near field. So sound quality is strongly correlated with speaker performance (ideal performance - spinorama) and the influence of the room. REW and a mic can indicate to you how your room is influencing the lower frequency range and higher frequency reflections. A more sensitive speaker will not correct these issues. Speaker positioning is a good start with REW showing you the differences. After that crossover, gains, phase, time delay/IR can be tackled.

Members please correct if required.

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

Calypso said:
Like to follow up with what @Sonnie mentioned which was coupled to your question of roll off and sound quality. In general the lower frequencies are strongly influenced by room modes, assuming of course that you are not listening near field. So sound quality is strongly correlated with speaker performance (ideal performance - spinorama) and the influence of the room. REW and a mic can indicate to you how your room is influencing the lower frequency range and higher frequency reflections. A more sensitive speaker will not correct these issues. Speaker positioning is a good start with REW showing you the differences. After that crossover, gains, phase, time delay/IR can be tackled.

Members please correct if required.

Thank you for your response, was hoping that you would say that my speakers are bad and need to be replaced :laugh:

really I was just curious about the sensitivity

Todd Anderson · May 16, 2024

Um… your speakers are bad and must be replaced… immediately!

ddude003 · May 16, 2024

@Gerry Iaria, You say that your speakers frequency range are from 73Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB)...

I would say you are loosing quite a bit of bottom end of of many musical instruments...

Here is a great read on this subject... https://www.zytrax.com/tech/audio/audio.html...

So, I agree with @Todd Anderson...

Unless you have a separate sub(s) in your system crossed over slightly above 75Hz...

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

Todd Anderson said:
Um… your speakers are bad and must be replaced… immediately!

That's it I'll better show this to my wife now, :laugh:

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

ddude003 said:
@Gerry Iaria, You say that your speakers frequency range are from 73Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB)...

I would say you are loosing quite a bit of bottom end of of many musical instruments...

Here is a great read on this subject... https://www.zytrax.com/tech/audio/audio.html...

So, I agree with @Todd Anderson... Unless you have a separate sub(s) in your system crossed over slightly above 75Hz...

Yes, I have a separate Arendal Sub1, and the best crossover is at 110hz

Gerry Iaria · May 16, 2024

ddude003 said:
@Gerry Iaria, You say that your speakers frequency range are from 73Hz to 20kHz (+/-3dB)...

I would say you are loosing quite a bit of bottom end of of many musical instruments...

Here is a great read on this subject... https://www.zytrax.com/tech/audio/audio.html...

So, I agree with @Todd Anderson... Unless you have a separate sub(s) in your system crossed over slightly above 75Hz...

Really nice read that was, very interesting

Sonnie · May 16, 2024

I agree with Todd... definitely bad speakers and they MUST be replaced. :yes:

Gerry Iaria · May 17, 2024

Sonnie said:
I agree with Todd... definitely bad speakers and they MUST be replaced.

I knew it

Mumbo · May 18, 2024

I also have the Arendal 1961 monitors for LCR and 1961 heights for surrounds. In addition to your specs, the speakers are 4 ohm and do take a solid amplifier to power at higher sound levels given the lower sensitivity. I added a Buckeye Class D power amp for all channels to keep my Denon X3800H temps under control along with a fan. I found that the X3800H would get quite hot (115˚F+, 46C+) when playing a concert video at higher volume for an hour plus. The extra power did not hurt either. Crossover at 90-100Hz seems to work best for me and good sub is mandatory with these speaker in the theater setting.

The upgrade bug is independent of the measurements and sound, jiust something that needs to be done about every 5 years regardless if you are happy or not.

Gerry Iaria · May 18, 2024

Mumbo said:
I also have the Arendal 1961 monitors for LCR and 1961 heights for surrounds. In addition to your specs, the speakers are 4 ohm and do take a solid amplifier to power at higher sound levels given the lower sensitivity. I added a Buckeye Class D power amp for all channels to keep my Denon X3800H temps under control along with a fan. I found that the X3800H would get quite hot (115˚F+, 46C+) when playing a concert video at higher volume for an hour plus. The extra power did not hurt either. Crossover at 90-100Hz seems to work best for me and good sub is mandatory with these speaker in the theater setting.

The upgrade bug is independent of the measurements and sound, jiust something that needs to be done about every 5 years regardless if you are happy or not.

I only have the 1961s for the front 3,I have a Marantz cinema 50, I don't normally listen at high volume, but the bug is getting to me, had those speakers for I think 5 years now, would like something a with a bit more bass and higher sensitivity, but as usually my wife says there's nothing wrong with them

Mumbo · May 18, 2024

My wife has been that way since the beginning. Everything sounds fine to her and the picture is fine also. The 1961 monitors were smaller than previous speakers so that helped. I may have to go with something other than black to placate her the next time.

Sonnie · May 18, 2024

Mumbo said:
The upgrade bug is independent of the measurements and sound, jiust something that needs to be done about every 5 years regardless if you are happy or not.

Every five years is not nearly as often as it needs to be... you are short-changing yourself on the bug. How often do most folks catch a sick bug... that's at least every couple to three years. Just saying! :dontknow:

Mumbo · May 18, 2024

I think your are right, it is a sickness and should be treated as such. My wife would ask where I could get immunized… I could actually spend more but the room is poor and that is not easily fixed which is my current investigation.

Gerry Iaria · May 19, 2024

Sonnie said:
Every five years is not nearly as often as it needs to be... you are short-changing yourself on the bug. How often do most folks catch a sick bug... that's at least every couple to three years. Just saying!

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

Tony V. · May 19, 2024

Jumping into this conversation a bit late but as has been said the sensitivity of your speakers are very normal my big concern is the roll-off at 70ish Hz is not. If you don’t have a subwoofer along with them you’re missing out on a big portion of the frequency range for even the most average of music. Not saying they are awful but certainly missing a lot of the nice lower frequencies.

Gerry Iaria · May 20, 2024

Tony V. said:
Jumping into this conversation a bit late but as has been said the sensitivity of your speakers are very normal my big concern is the roll-off at 70ish Hz is not. If you don’t have a subwoofer along with them you’re missing out on a big portion of the frequency range for even the most average of music. Not saying they are awful but certainly missing a lot of the nice lower frequencies.

Thank you Tony, yes, i do have 2 subs, that I'm still trying to set up properly, but that's another story, so, the subs just get the lower frequency, is there anything else that i'm missing??

Tony V. · May 20, 2024

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.

Speakers sensitivity

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