How to pair speakers with amps

With the demise of hifi shops in this country how is someone supposed to know how to pair up amplifiers with speakers? Steve Guttenburg says it's important they "dance" together. Paul explains why.

[MrWindrode]

Here in little Sweden serious dealers will absolutely set up the system of your choice, and as the next step, let you try it in your home and system.
Perfect Sense in Stockholm who is the dealer for PS Audio is superb in this respect.
They will even do that with used and traded in equipment 👍

[KamaTanha]

I feel fortunate to have put my system together before Spearit Sound in Northampton, MA closed (in 2018?). They had loaners you could take home, free of charge, before deciding. I was able to audition several options of amplifiers, CD players, speakers and cables in my home before spending any money. It spoiled me. I'd only buy now from places that have a preferential return policy like PS Audio. I have been satisfied with my system for going on 10 years now, but if the time ever comes to start upgrading again...

[jsmorton]

Great advice; as always Paul. Your business model is absolutely sterling. I am mainly invested in Canadian amps and pre-amps. Bryston and Sim Audio specifically. I love the warranty and personal service from Bryston. Attention to client requirements is essential at this end of the market. You sound like your company has that bit nailed as well. Thanks for sharing.

[matrixsynth]

Some shops like Best Buy and boutique dealers are still set up for this. They typically have different systems and speakers hooked up to a switch board so you can easily hear how different combos sound with a flick of a switch. Others do it manually and allow you to bring your speakers in to compare.

[johndennis]

I appreciate the motto try before you buy. There is a furniture store Stickley Audi & Co. I shop at and they let you take stuff to see how if fits in you home. This is a very friendly feature and it make you want to come back.

[sundaru]

What a confident comfort the feeling of your potential buyer, only possible while you sell un compromise quality product, wish for your success Paul..

[oliverbeard]

It's a bit of a minefield out there.If you are lucky enough to have a dealer who allows you to demonstrate different options, then that's great.A friend of mine, when purchasing some new speakers went to a few different places and was unsure of which ones were right for him.He eventually bought some that were apparently designed using his brand of amplification, and on paper were an easy enough load.A variant of my homebrew design of speakers was also utilised during development of the electronics i use.Eventually, when PS Audio release their speakers, it should help to make matching easier to their amps.Good Luck, and happy listening.

[ohjoy]

Paul is absolutely right here. There is a technical aspect that is highly important to consider that the amplifier can properly drive the speakers of your choice. But then there is a sonic match or "synergy" that needs to happen as well. So yes it is always going to be trial and error.

First is to look at the speakers efficiency and impedance. This determines the amount of power needed and the quality of power needed. Depending on the volume you want the system to play at and the speakers efficiency will help you determine the amount of power you need. Less efficiency speakers need much more power to get to the same sound pressure levels as a more efficient speaker. For every 3db in loudness from the speakers efficiency rating you need to double your amplifier power. Impedance determines if you need a high current amplifier and one that is stable into lower impedance loads or not so that it can drive the speakers without risk of damaging the speakers and or amplifier.

Once those aspect are determined then you can try amplifiers to see how they mate sonically. But yes it will always come down to listening and trial and error.

[just_some_internet_guy]

You make it seem easy Paul. You are awesome at the products you produce.

[kokitch]

Wow I wish i was still living in USA, all this thing that Poul said are awesome, this is how you do business!!!

[stephensr]

Paul says it as it is. I only wish we had the same opportunity outside of the US

[dodibenabba]

I think Richer Sounds in the U.K. still have listening rooms??

[honeyken]

Hello Paul, Yes there is a "Listening Room" where you can hear systems and talk with a real person. It is called "The Listening Room" and it is located in Saginaw, Michigan. They have been in business for many years and continue to offer a great service to interested persons wanting good audio or home theatre experiences. Tom and his wife will spend all of the time it takes to help you through a decision. We are fortunate to have them in the historic business district of Saginaw. KEN

[alt]

I feel lucky to have a fantastic dealer in The Netherlands: Rhapsody.nl. They give you all the time you need. When I was looking to replace my speakers, they set up the same system I have at home (Naim) and let me bring in my own speakers for A-B testing. And it doesn't matter if you're buying 2000 Euro products or 200.000 Euro products, they take amazing care of their customers. Seriously there are two things I will never buy online: clothing and audio gear.

[mverbaan]

I am glad that in the Netherlands there are still good hifi-shops that go for long term relations with their customers. However it is means that it is also up to the customer to keep those shops alive. So pay that little bit more money to get good advise which - in the end- saves money.
For me hifi shows are a good starting point. If, in multiple shows, a system sounds good or great, i go to the shop(s) that sell these systems. I than discus what i am looking for and ask for their advise. Next i chose two or three advised systems and make an appointment to listen to these proposed systems. A good shop takes (mainly) the speakers back if they really don't match with the room.

[finscreenname]

Manufactures recommended Yugo's and Ford Pintos and Chevy Caviars. At one time Pioneer, Sanyo and Sansui were great and recommended and then a few short years later they were all junk and yet still recommended.
I'm sure Paul does what he can to be a old school business man where the customer comes first and apparently he really does it for the love of it. 99.9% of the companies are out there to make money. That is all. If you like Paul's stuff and can afford it then I would pay for Paul's service alone. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to build relationships like that with business you trust. One of the reason I don't want to move out of state I live in even though I want to. I would lose that one place for what ever it may be, I've found over the years that I trust. Paul seems to offer that out of the box. I may rag on you audiophiles about tone control but I know what good honest service is. I may not be buying but I'm watching...every day.

[kevinodriscoll]

Hi Paul! We REALLY need that trade-in/test drive model here in Canada. Could you please tell me when we can expect that in the Great White North, please? 😬👍

[captainwin]

There's a Sir Paul in the picture right above you!

[danlearned]

Paul,

Watching this I can't but help wonder how many trade-in amps are collecting dust there at PS Audio??? Something a 1st time buyer might be interested in???

[ThinkingBetter]

A great amplifier is one that is maximally immune to the load impedance and can output an near equal voltage down to a very low impedance well below 4 Ohms. Low output impedance (translates to high damping factor) and lots of RMS power (means adequate power supply) help ensure a tough speaker impedance can be driven well. But specs aren’t always enough to conclude on.