Looking for AMP Suggestions for Focal Chora 806s

[Ozymandias96]

Hey all,

About a month ago, I picked up a used pair of Focal Chora 806s from the marketplace and have them paired with a NAD 3020 V2 and a 10" Klipsch subwoofer. I'm really enjoying the speakers so far but I'm considering upgrading the amp since the NAD only puts out 30W per channel.

Has anyone found a solid amp pairing for these speakers? I'm looking for something that complements their sound without being overkill. I’ve been eyeing the Wiim AMP, but I’m unsure if it would be a meaningful upgrade over the NAD.

For some background, my speaker environment is in a standard sized room in my basement, so I don't need a ton of volume but do enjoy jamming out to excessively loud music. My NAD is hooked up to my TV and mainly use it for movies, gaming, and music.

Would love to hear your thoughts or recommendations!

 

[Thighsofsteel]

What budget do you have in mind?

 

[jmdesignz2]

89db 8-4.6ohm

Seems pretty easy to drive

For midrange budget you can’t go too wrong with the Fosi v3 MONO blocks with separate 48v10a supplies plus a couple of stick on heat sinks

These were able to drive my less efficient and lower impedance Aerial 10t to theater levels

But since upgrading to the Buckeye NCX500 mono blocks I’m wondering how those would sound lol

 

[Jim Taylor]

The Focal Chora 806 is rated by the manufacturer at 89 dB sensitivity ... which i must assume is best-case (two speakers/1 kHz/in-room).
30 watts is 15 decibel-watts (dBW), so 89+15=104 dB in-room.
That's pretty loud, considering that you have the low end off-loaded to a sub.
Focal also lists the maximum recommended power to the speakers as 120 watts, which is less than 21 dB.
So you gain slightly less than 6 dB before you get into territory that the manufacturer does not recommend.

Is it worth 6 dB? If it is, check out various amps in the review section and peruse to your heart's delight.
If it's not, then keep what you have, sit back and enjoy!

Master Audio Review Index

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[jmdesignz2]

The Focal Chora 806 is rated by the manufacturer at 89 dB sensitivity ... which i must assume is best-case (two speakers/1 kHz/in-room).
30 watts is 15 decibel-watts (dBW), so 89+15=104 dB in-room.
That's pretty loud, considering that you have the low end off-loaded to a sub.
Focal also lists the maximum recommended power to the speakers as 120 watts, which is less than 21 dB.
So you gain slightly less than 6 dB before you get into territory that the manufacturer does not recommend.

Is it worth 6 dB? If it is, check out various amps in the review section and peruse to your heart's delight.
If it's not, then keep what you have, sit back and enjoy!

Master Audio Review Index

www.audiosciencereview.com

the amp interactions are different between the NAD vs Fosi PBTL pffb class D

Behavior as each amp approaches clipping is also a factor if OP likes dynamics

The NAD SNR 90dB vs the Fosi 123db is notable and to non casual listeners would be an improvement

 

[Ozymandias96]

The Focal Chora 806 is rated by the manufacturer at 89 dB sensitivity ... which i must assume is best-case (two speakers/1 kHz/in-room).
30 watts is 15 decibel-watts (dBW), so 89+15=104 dB in-room.
That's pretty loud, considering that you have the low end off-loaded to a sub.
Focal also lists the maximum recommended power to the speakers as 120 watts, which is less than 21 dB.
So you gain slightly less than 6 dB before you get into territory that the manufacturer does not recommend.

Is it worth 6 dB? If it is, check out various amps in the review section and peruse to your heart's delight.
If it's not, then keep what you have, sit back and enjoy!

Master Audio Review Index

www.audiosciencereview.com

I really appreciate the information. I don't fully understand the technical side of the interactions between amps and speakers so that is quite helpful to know. There seems to be a lot of fluff about what an amp actually does, such as adding sound signature characteristics, but I am getting the suspicion that it seems overblown. At the end of the day, I just want to get the most out of my speakers and sub without having to spend a fortune.

 

[jmdesignz2]

I really appreciate the information. I don't fully understand the technical side of the interactions between amps and speakers so that is quite helpful to know. There seems to be a lot of fluff about what an amp actually does, such as adding sound signature characteristics, but I am getting the suspicion that it seems overblown. At the end of the day, I just want to get the most out of my speakers and sub without having to spend a fortune.

The Fosi mono blocks would be a huge step up from the NAD. Hard to beat for about $335 for both channels with separate 48v10a supplies

On a strictly measurement basis
The NAD has audibly worse SNR
As well as increasing distortion with power