Can CAV45 S2 drive Harbeth 40.3

[warnie7]

I present have SAP Quartette speakers, 6ohms, 96-dB and was just curious has anyone heard the CAV45 with Harbeths I think they are 85dB

[admin]

Do you plan to listen to rock music blasted at ear piercing levels? If not, I think you should be fine. Yes, their will be a noticable decrease in volume at the same setting between 96 db and 85 db speakers but I think the notion that you need massive amounts of power for less sensitive speakers is incorrect in my experience. Quality watts matter more than quantity.

Also, tube amps are more forgiving with clipping than SS. Paul McGowan from PS Audio talks about this a little in a recent video: https://youtu.be/cRUO_ZSkvwA

At the end of the day, I think the match would be fine but obviously an audition is the best judge.

[warnie7]

The store I could have auditioned them at stopped selling them, he like me feel they are over priced

[AnotherJohnson]

The store I could have auditioned them at stopped selling them, he like me feel they are over priced

Yes, Harbeth are mighty proud of their speakers.

Seriously though, personally I do not think it would be a good match. But as admin points out, an audition is really the only way to know whether it would suit you.

[AnotherJohnson]

Here are Jeff Dorgay’s thoughts on the 40.3XDs.

https://www.tonepublications.com/review ... -speakers/

At $21k+ they would seem to be under amped with the CAV45 s2.

[Big Dog RJ]

CAV45 driving the mighty Habeth 40 series... ???
that's like the ant and the elephant joke. It's too x-rated to tell.

Anyway, it may work that is if your room is the size of a closet. Ok, maybe a large cupboard then.

The CAV45 will be under stress, without a doubt. Anything below 90dB is not that efficient and Harbeths are notorious in efficiency ratings. They require a bit more current and power to get going.

So far, the best combinations of speakers that I've auditioned with the CAV45 have been horns. One of those were the Avant Garde Duo XD's rated at above 100db with easy loads. Those Avant Garde's also have built-in powered bass drivers, so plenty of power. The CAV45 was just cruising along... zzzz no sweat.

Another fabulous combination, which I owned at one point, was the CAV45-S2 driving the Martin Logan Ethos stats. These are hybrid stats, again with high efficiency in the range of 92dB plus and built-in powered bass drivers. The room was standard 14ft W by 20ft L so not that big, overall presentation was very satisfying. Obviously in a much larger room, the CAV45-S2 wouldn't do it and the EL34's would break up after loud dynamic passages.

So, it all depends on your room size, listening habits, system config, and speakers. In this case, the H 40.3 are not small monitors nor bookshelf speakers. They're quite large! They do require a lot more humpty to really open up.

Hope that helps.
Best, RJ

[warnie7]

CAV45 driving the mighty Habeth 40 series... ???
that's like the ant and the elephant joke. It's too x-rated to tell.

Anyway, it may work that is if your room is the size of a closet. Ok, maybe a large cupboard then.

The CAV45 will be under stress, without a doubt. Anything below 90dB is not that efficient and Harbeths are notorious in efficiency ratings. They require a bit more current and power to get going.

So far, the best combinations of speakers that I've auditioned with the CAV45 have been horns. One of those were the Avant Garde Duo XD's rated at above 100db with easy loads. Those Avant Garde's also have built-in powered bass drivers, so plenty of power. The CAV45 was just cruising along... zzzz no sweat.

Another fabulous combination, which I owned at one point, was the CAV45-S2 driving the Martin Logan Ethos stats. These are hybrid stats, again with high efficiency in the range of 92dB plus and built-in powered bass drivers. The room was standard 14ft W by 20ft L so not that big, overall presentation was very satisfying. Obviously in a much larger room, the CAV45-S2 wouldn't do it and the EL34's would break up after loud dynamic passages.

So, it all depends on your room size, listening habits, system config, and speakers. In this case, the H 40.3 are not small monitors nor bookshelf speakers. They're quite large! They do require a lot more humpty to really open up.

Hope that helps.
Best, RJ

I ended up going with Audionote AN-E and love it My room is 22x26 and if you were blind folded, you would think you in a much smaller room.

[admin]

Congrats on the Audionote's. Very nice. Which finish did you go with?

[Big Dog RJ]

That's a much better combination, well done!

With the right amount of power into the speakers and they're able to reproduce everything you're looking for... then that's it! As long as you're happy and enjoying those fine tunes!

Woof! RJ