How loud can an aspen play?

Compared to the massive Infinity IRS V the aspen FR30 looks small. How loud can it play?

[glenncurry]

Thank you for being willing to admit that the laws of physics exist. That a speaker with significantly more drivers with a greater total surface area and combined excursions while maintaining linearity will ultimately produce a greater SPL. It seems the opposite is more common. Speaker companies claiming their "bookshelf" speaker can reach the lows and SPLs of larger models regardless os such laws. No matter how many ports, passive radiators, servos, ...

[dans]

I covet your stuff Paul, thanks for the dream, it's all so beutifull and I have no doubt it sounds as good as it looks.
Love all your knowledge, keep doing what your doing

[mikaelmllersnnichsen]

@Paul McGowan, a different perspective on max. loudness capacity: a speaker system's ability to play more loud cleanly isn't only, or as much about total SPL than it is the added headroom it offers. Why is this important? Because it means lowering distortion at peak levels in particular, which in turn equates into a more effortless presentation. Many if not most hifi setups can't reproduce what approaches live dynamics, certainly not with ease, and while one could argue this isn't necessary to all it still follows that added headroom makes for a cleaner, less distorted presentation - even at (lower) volumes one mayn't assume headroom to make a noticeable difference. My guess is the IRS V's have an advantage in perceived macro dynamic swings (and scale) compared to the Aspen's, and while the latter is no slouch in displacement area the IRS V's are very much ahead here.

[odizcvw]

A more relevant question might be how large a space is optimal for each speaker. I would argue the IRS should be in a bigger space and the FR30 might already be too big for typical living rooms. Seems like it would be best in a dedicated 20x25 foot room. My room for example. Send a set over and I'll report on their results. :)

[juliangst]

It’s a really good question. Most customers who can afford the Aspen probably have a large living space and might sit a few meters away from the speakers. SPL gets reduced by 6dB / 2x distance.
For 86dB (common reference level) at 8m listening distance the speakers would have to reach 104dB at 1m.
Bookshelves and many floorstanders would already reach high bass distortion at this SPL level. You need really solid speakers in a large place or just use a sub.

[John-Edward]

Paul, do you think you will ever be able to Make / Assemble the Aspen & it’s siblings here in the USA / Boulder, CO USA?

[jackbarnard]

Paul....im digging the ps audio rug. Do you have any for sale?

[keithmoriyama]

I own a few high end "audiophile" (hate that word) speakers and the one thing they all have in common is-- they have no balls. I have demo'd the FR30's and while they can go loud it is nothing like listening to a large format studio monitor. In a world class studio you can easily hit 120db with ZERO strain. Said one bassist I was working with-- "it's so loud it impales you against the wall-- you can't even look at it!" Now the purpose of super dynamic speakers is not to blow your brains out-- there are multiple reasons why commercial equipment has this capability. Impressing the client is part of that, but it's also how you 'sculpt' raw sounds off the floor.

[philipw]

It all depends on room size the IRS need a very large room to play loudly and I have been telling Paul that the room he had the infinity’s in was way to small to even think of turning the up, but know with the new speakers he has in the same room you can turn them up and fill that space better

[davidfromamerica]

You will never convince Bass Head people 120 db is damaging to their hearing. They have 130 db sub woofers in their cars. OSHA clearly states long term exposure to 85db and above is damaging to your hearing. Why do you think hearing protection is mandatory in many industries where people work.

[ImBillionaire]

Who makes the diffusers at the front wall / behind speakers?

[hlurpseed]

Headroom. It’s really about headroom. If the IRS can drive cleanly to 140db, so should the Aspen.

[brentcollins]

Injurious. I learned a new word today!

[AllboroLCD]

120db seems to be the benchmark for most serious speakers. I cant help but assume thats in part because thats the SPL one can expect when sitting in front of a LIVE symphony orchestra.

[AraCarrano]

What, no desire to knock on 180dB range that automotive systems are reaching for?

[trutmaasfull]

I listen at levels between 60db and 75db…☕️😊

[johnwatrous]

Does any of your speakers sound as good as a $215, 000 Alexia V for 10% of the price?

[davidstevens]

well i cant share pictures.. but my antique speakers can easily hit 125-130 db in my living room..

[janinapalmer]

What's the difference between the Aspen and an FR30 ?

[Scopolamine]

The use of the word louder seems to be appearing in peoples discussions much more lately. Don’t understand why so many people want to do real damage to their hearing.