Which floorstanders with Luxman L-550AxII?

Currently have an L550 paired with Focal 826W floorstanders. The Focal's are fairly demanding and can dip to 2.9 Ohms. For the most part I feel the Luxman is driving them pretty good except when listening to more dynamic music. It's then I feel maybe this isn't the best match. Have had the Focal's for many years and would definetly consider a speaker upgrade. Dynaudio and Harbeth would be on my shortlist but not sure if these would match up well with the Luxman either? Would be great to hear from any owners of the L-550 that have it paired with floorstanders and if so, which ones?

Thanks

 

From a lot of posts I have read Luxman and Tannoy seem to be a popular pairing.

 

Question is how much do you want to spend?

 

This guy seems to like Harbeth with the Luxman. I have the Harbeths SHl5+ and am very happy with them though to this point have not run them with a Luxman.

(Regarding your thread title, the Harbeth models are not floorstanders).

 

Totem?

 

@nyrjoe What is your budget, what type of music do listen to and what sort of sound you looking for?

 

Budget is around 6k. Listen to about 60% Rock, Metal, 40% Blues, Jazz. Soundwise would prefer a tonal character that's slightly warm of neutral, yet dynamic. Would be great to have a sweet midrange too. The Foacls I have, while very clear in the mids, can sound a but dry at times...

 

I bought a pair of Klipsch Forte IIIs to pair with my L-550AXII based on the recommendation of someone on here. I’m absolutely loving them so far, can’t stop tapping my feet. I listen to mostly classic rock, jam bands and jazz. Love how everything sounds like a live show

 

I’ve been using the Luxman L550AX with a pair of Harbeth SHL5+ for the last 6 years and have been quite pleased. Similar styles of music that you listed also.

I’ve been fortunate enough to demo Naim, Devialet, And Line Magnetic amps in my room and preferred the Luxman based on a similar sound character as you have listed. Worth a close look given all this. Hope that helps.

 

Interesting. Since I have MA Silver 8s, I had to look at the higher levels in their range. Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 loudspeaker Reading thru this it seems possible the Luxman might be synergistic. But looking at the measurements it too seems a bit challenging.

But your Focals may be even more challenging ... maybe more than you think. Focal Chorus 826W 30th Anniversary Edition loudspeaker Measurements

“... minimum of 2.6 ohms at 119Hz. There is also a current-hungry combination of 3.83 ohms magnitude and –53° electrical phase angle at 94Hz, a frequency where music can have high energy levels.” IIUC, from a paper on “effective impedance” or something (see a thread on “speakers that torture amplifiers” a while back) having a +/- 50 degree phase angle “divides” the impedance at that frequency by about 3. So OMG that’s about 1.25 ohms.

Both seem to be 90 dB sensitive so that’s good. Seems like the MA has maybe a “3 ohm” minimum based on this estimate (6 ohms at 90 Hz but a phase angle of about -30 which isn’t as severe, possibly dividing by 2. So “3 ohms” equivalent.

Anyway, used or NOS PL 200s? The II versions of these are now $16k? Yikes.

 

Seems the Luxman likely puts out 40W into 4 ohms (rating) and I bet 50W into 3 ohms ... or 3 ohms equivalent? But it’s likely not going to go to jet engine levels with these speakers. But man, I bet it sounds sublime at normal levels.

PS/Edit: maybe the Forte IIIs’ higher sensitivity makes up for its low impedance/high phase angle excursions (what is it about 90Hz?) Klipsch Forte III loudspeaker

these seem to be a serious contender for sure.

PPS: OK I had to look, so will share Harbeth Super HL5plus loudspeaker

this seems like a winner too.

 

Wharfedale Elysian 2 ???

 

I recently got a L550 AXII and am using it with Monitor Audio Gold 200s. Sounds incredible for the most part. Might like a little more bass, but that's on the speakers. I should've got the gold 300s when buying them.

 

Tannoys?

 

if you are leaning Harbeth the SHL5 would be my only recommendation because it is the most neutral. I heard the 30.2 with your amp and did not care for the overall softness of the presentstion, your amp is ultra smooth as i am sure you are aware. Try the Focals with a typical Class AB amp and see what I mean.
however my best recommendation would be the Spendor D7.2 towers. I can imagine that being a perfect match. The Spendors are world class, dead neutral yet highly refined, have especially deep bass because of their t-line bottom port and are as fast and dynamic as HE speakers. Definitely listen before you buy anything else.

 

Probably a used pair of Living Voice Auditoriums would fit nicely with the Luxman. I also like the new Klipsch Forte III. The IV is supposed to be just as nice.

 

Per Stereophile
Focal Chorus 826W 30th Anniversary Edition loudspeaker Measurements
"The Chorus 826W offers a higher-than-usual voltage sensitivity, my estimate coming in at 90.1dB(B)/2.83V/m on its tweeter axis, which is close to the specification. The speaker is also specified as having a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, with a minimum magnitude of 2.9 ohms at 118Hz. Fig.1 shows that while the impedance does remain above 8 ohms for most of the bass and treble regions, it varies a lot, with a minimum of 2.6 ohms at 119Hz. There is also a current-hungry combination of 3.83 ohms magnitude and –53° electrical phase angle at 94Hz, a frequency where music can have high energy levels. This speaker should be used with a good amplifier rated at 4 ohms."

If I understand correctly, you are saying that when you are playing loudly it seems the Lux is perhaps running out of steam. (By the way it would be interesting to check that with a peak-hold LED meter or such). So you want to change to easier-to-drive speakers.

Let me offer a different perspective as a loudspeaker designer why I see problems. Hofmann's Iron Law states that there is a tradeoff between size, bass extension, and sensitivity. There's also a relation to impedance: lower impedance can buy you more efficiency (not just sensitivity, actual efficiency) since the resistance is in the denominator of the relevant equations.
- A less current-hungry design will be less sensitive and want MORE power to play at the same sound pressure. An easier impedance may get a bit more power out of the Luxman but I doubt it would be more than a decibel or two.
- Those Focal are already more sensitive than a lot of speakers, making the task even tougher. Stuff like the Harbeth mentioned above need a lot more power-those are 86 dB versus 90 dB, a difference of 2.5X more watts.
- Your Focal are extremely nice speakers. Vaguely speaking, my rule of thumb is that to really move to a better plateau of sound, not just different, you need to spend like 3X as much on speakers. Are you ready to spend like $6k? Or since my vague rule kinda flattens out as you get more and more expensive, maybe $10k?

Now back to Hofmann, are you willing to have significantly larger speakers? Which almost inevitably in order to get more sensitivity will be PA-style horn loaded, with a few rare commercial and DIY exceptions. That is the reason this type of speaker is popular, yea, ubiquitious with small-watt amp aficionados.

 

To everyone that jumped in here, thank you very much. The guidance and reccomendations have been great!

Correct when playing more dynamic music at louder volumes (12-1 on the volume dial) bass gets very bloomy, less taught, overall sound hardens.

. As mentioned in original post, though Harbeth had been on my radar, I really wasn't sure if it would match well with this Luxman. Just so I'm on the same page, your thought is it may not as well?

a lot of music does sounds great with the Focal/Lux combo but just can't get past those moments where bass control begins to suffer and bloom takes over. I would spend up to 6k. Based on many comments in this thread, I plan to audtion Klipsch. Never heard horn loaded speakers, had stayed away years ago the last time I was in the market fearing they would be too bright or forward. But now see too many rave reviews to ignore. I'm sure I'll try others mentioned here as well.

Thanks

 

Luxman Integrated's match up very well w/Spendor Speakers the A-4 and A-7 are excellent. I know they are not well known but also Sonner Speakers are very good too. My Local dealer carries both. The Sonners are made in my home state of NH.

 

That's my combo too.. still amazes me daily.

 

I think you may have recommended the Forte IIIs to me. Thank you so much! They’ve brought me so much joy

 

Gents, how would you describe the sound signature with this combo? Warm, neutral, bright, other?

 

Lol.. this is where the Forte's high sensitivity comes into play I guess. If I ever turned my L550 past noon I'd blow out a window and an eardrum. Sweet spot with digital is around 9:30 and with Vinyl about 11.

 

I thought it may have been! You're welcome! I'm really glad you're enjoying them! What did you have previously again?

 

In my space, the Forte's are a blast. I love the Klipsch Heritage sound. If you've never heard it, and you have the L550, you should get your hands on a pair to listen to them in your space.

My personal opinion is that the liquidy smooth warmth of the Class A L550 is a perfect partner for the Heritage Line. I Initially had the Heresy III's with a Yamaha AVR. I was awaiting the arrival of a PrimaLuna Prologue Tube Integrated at the time. I was going from a pair of SVS Ultra Bookshelves so there was a huge difference in sound. The PrimaLuna was at a whole other level, but in my small room (10'x10') I was getting a slight hum that I couldn't ignore some nights at low level listening volumes. Started to look for alternatives to tubes to match with the Heresy and found the Luxman Class A amps and luckily had a local dealer where I could listen to the combo. Bought the 550 and to me, it did everything that the PL did well with the Heritage line, but much better... and silently. Better, more detailed and deep bass. Tames the horns to the point that I forget they are horns without taking away any high end sparkle. And I only sit 6' away. But the kicker for me is that midrange that just grabs me every time.

The Klipsch sound may not be for everyone, but I am confident that if you like the Klipsch sound, you'll love what the 550 can do with them.