3e audio A7/A7 Mono Amplifier Review

[Bernard23]

In fact, Dr Google makes this assertive claim:

Summary
You could even push the system to an eardrum-shattering 108 dB peaks free-field before the 3e Audio A7 Monoblocks would begin to show their front-panel clip indicators. For a 40 m² room at a 3m listening distance, this pairing is acoustically bulletproof. [1, 2]

 

[john61ct]

Yes spend the price difference elsewhere

 

[KL....]

Forgive me for possibly repeating a question already asked, but I read the first 10 and last 8 or so pages and didn't see the answer to the question:
Are the 48V 5A PSUs adequate for the mono amp? That's what is bundled on Amazon UK right now. Or would I benefit from getting a 10A unit for each amp?
I regularly listen at 80+dB SPL at the mlp via Linton Heritage boxes. I do have a couple of BK subs that handle things below 60Hz so in truth my yamaha a-s501 is likely more than adequate but I want smaller form and a simpler setup. It's also possible that I might not keep the subs forever as we're rearranging our domestic spaces!

Hi @Bernard23, how are you connecting the BK subs, such as HL/Amp outputs, LL/Preamp output, or LPF/LFE? Note that the 3e Audio a7/a7 outputs are PBTL (ie not Grounded) which implys that the BK subs, for HL connection, cannot be Signal Grounded.

 

[Bernard23]

Hi @Bernard23, how are you connecting the BK subs, such as HL/Amp outputs, LL/Preamp output, or LPF/LFE? Note that the 3e Audio a7/a7 outputs are PBTL (ie not Grounded) which implys that the BK subs, for HL connection, cannot be Signal Grounded.

The subs are connected to the Ultra sub out using a Y phono splitter.

 

[CptKaos]

the A7 mono's with the 48v5a power supply easily produce 95-100db @3m with my HiVi Swan 3.1A's (sensitivity 86) and dual SVS SB1000Pro's

 

[Bernard23]

the A7 mono's with the 48v5a power supply easily produce 95-100db @3m with my HiVi Swan 3.1A's (sensitivity 86) and dual SVS SB1000Pro's
View attachment 537949

I'm impressed they're still in one piece. 85dB sensitivity and a max power input of 120W.

 

[CptKaos]

I'm impressed they're still in one piece. 85dB sensitivity and a max power input of 120W.

I was testing to see if the "Clipping" light would come on, average volume closer to 70-75

 

[Bernard23]

Are you sending the full range to the subs or using a low pass filter?

 

[CptKaos]

Are you sending the full range to the subs or using a low pass filter?

subwoofer signal from WiiM Ultra's bass management

 

[Bernard23]

subwoofer signal from WiiM Ultra's bass management

OK same here, so the amp isn't having to drive the full range to your mains. What happens if you repeat the experiment with the full range to mains option checked in the Wiim sub options?

 

[CptKaos]

mains were full range for that output test

 

[Bernard23]

I may have to rethink my strategy. Empty house for half an hour this evening

and this is regular AC/DC level....

 

[er|κzvio1in]

I've been using the 3e audio as a set-and-forget power amp hooked up to a MiniDSP 2x4 in a living room 2.2 setup for a couple of weeks now. One thing that I like in particular is the automatic power off / on functionality. It works flawlessly. Besides that, I never think about the amplifier, it just works.

 

[Bernard23]

I installed the Lintons on their bespoke stands and then hooked up the A7s. I took out my old Denon tuner as that's not been used in 2 years, and now the A7s have replaced the big chunk of Japanese engineering the shelving looks a bit over specced....
Minutes to setup, working as expected. I spent more time vacuuming up the dust from behind the shelves. They're barely warm after a normal sub 80dB session and auto power off / on works perfectly.
They sound sublime with the Lintons and the BK subs after a bit of fettling, and of course I'm revelling in the post procurement euphoria fuelled placebo of perceived sonic improvement. I shall be keeping them.
Yet to verify the 105dB target in my room is achievable with the 5A bricks, that's another exciting episode to report back on.
Otherwise another informed purchase thanks to the efforts of the multiple testers in this community.

 

[CptKaos]

I installed the Lintons on their bespoke stands and then hooked up the A7s. I took out my old Denon tuner as that's not been used in 2 years, and now the A7s have replaced the big chunk of Japanese engineering the shelving looks a bit over specced....
Minutes to setup, working as expected. I spent more time vacuuming up the dust from behind the shelves. They're barely warm after a normal sub 80dB session and auto power off / on works perfectly.
They sound sublime with the Lintons and the BK subs after a bit of fettling, and of course I'm revelling in the post procurement euphoria fuelled placebo of perceived sonic improvement. I shall be keeping them.
Yet to verify the 105dB target in my room is achievable with the 5A bricks, that's another exciting episode to report back on.
Otherwise another informed purchase thanks to the efforts of the multiple testers in this community.


View attachment 538161

congrats and enjoy
are you using the low or high gain on the RCA inputs
p.s. you missed the dust on top of the Ultra

 

[Bernard23]

congrats and enjoy
are you using the low or high gain on the RCA inputs
p.s. you missed the dust on top of the Ultra

Ha that's fingerprints not dust despite the appearance!
Low gain, 60 on the Wiim = circa 80-85dB st MLP so the granularity is perfect.

 

[CptKaos]

Ha that's fingerprints not dust despite the appearance!
Low gain, 60 on the Wiim = circa 80-85dB st MLP so the granularity is perfect.

" They're barely warm after a normal sub 80dB session "
yeah, my V3 Mono's in my shop system run much warmer, in anticipation of that I built cool pads for my A7 Mono's but they arent really needed

 

[SnakeLord]

I may have to rethink my strategy. Empty house for half an hour this eveningView attachment 537998 and this is regular AC/DC level....

And @CptKaos you guys should keep in mind, that your phones arnt precise measuring devices. Those apps are giving you a general idea of how loud things are but the values cant be taken for absolute, in addition those will varry between the devices.
If you want some dB numbers to rely on, then get a proper measuring mic like Umik-1 (will also help with room EQ) or a simple calibrated dB meter.

 

[Bernard23]

And @CptKaos you guys should keep in mind, that your phones arnt precise measuring devices. Those apps are giving you a general idea of how loud things are but the values cant be taken for absolute, in addition those will varry between the devices.
If you want some dB numbers to rely on, then get a proper measuring mic like Umik-1 (will also help with room EQ) or a simple calibrated dB meter.

I'm using a calibrated Dayton i-MM6C mic. Well as calibrated as you can trust their calibration file but highly likely way better than the shitbox that's fitted to my Galaxy S26 etc. No uncertainty values so like any measurement that makes it semi qualitative at best.

 

[CptKaos]

I'm using a calibrated Dayton i-MM6C mic. Well as calibrated as you can trust their calibration file but highly likely way better than the shitbox that's fitted to my Galaxy S26 etc. No uncertainty values so like any measurement that makes it semi qualitative at best.

I am also using the Dayton I-MM6C mic with an I Phone 15 Pro and 60 on my Ultra volume produces ~ 80-85db at my listening position