Marantz M1 coupled with Focal Theva n3. Combination issue?

[SHDK]

Hallo all.

I've owned a Marantz M1 for almost 2 month. And so far i really enjoyed it. Nice sound and works well. The first 6 weeks i used it with a pair of old Dali Zensor 5 speakers.

I switched to a pair of Focal Teva n3. And after a week i suddenly had the speaker hiss other users of the M1 also experienced.

I got a new unit from the shop. And this morning all was good and no noise.

But it makes me wonder. Is it a coincidence that my noise started a week after adding new speakers? Or may I have made a bad combination with the M1 and the focals. That may cause the hissing and pulsating noise in the he first M1?

What do you guys say ?

Thanks
Søren.

 

[Mart68]

Or may I have made a bad combination with the M1 and the focals.

Not an ideal combination as the Marantz is not suitable for speakers with low impedance.

Marantz Model M1 Lab Report

Initially tested via its line inputs, which appear to be sampled at 96kHz, the Axign/TI-based digital Class D amplifier solution matches the M1's 100W specification by delivering a maximum continuous 113W into both 8 and 4ohm loads, with 113W and 145W into 8 and 4ohm under dynamic conditions...

www.hifinews.com

Those Focal speakers have a minimum impedance of 2.9 ohm

I don't see why that would create hiss though unless being overdriven has damaged the amplifier.

 

[SHDK]

Not an ideal combination as the Marantz is not suitable for speakers with low impedance.

Marantz Model M1 Lab Report

Initially tested via its line inputs, which appear to be sampled at 96kHz, the Axign/TI-based digital Class D amplifier solution matches the M1's 100W specification by delivering a maximum continuous 113W into both 8 and 4ohm loads, with 113W and 145W into 8 and 4ohm under dynamic conditions...

www.hifinews.com

Those Focal speakers have a minimum impedance of 2.9 ohm

I don't see why that would create hiss though unless being overdriven has damaged the amplifier.

I am aware of there low min impedans. But they are rated at 8 ohm norminel. I also wrote Marantz costumer service before buying them and they assured me that the 2.9 ohm min impedans would not be a problem. But ofcourse they wanna sell.

The amp has never bin above 40% volumen. And rarely over 30%

 

[Mart68]

I am aware of there low min impedans. But they are rated at 8 ohm norminel. I also wrote Marantz costumer service before buying them and they assured me that the 2.9 ohm min impedans would not be a problem. But ofcourse they wanna sell.

The amp has never bin above 40% volumen. And rarely over 30%

Low impedance is in the low frequencies and that's where the most power is required. Nominal impedance is pretty meaningless.

Perhaps it's not the problem at all, but thought it worth pointing out.

 

[SHDK]

Low impedance is in the low frequencies and that's where the most power is required. Nominal impedance is pretty meaningless.

Perhaps it's not the problem at all, but thought it worth pointing out.

Iand I appreciate your input. And it certainly is a valid point.

I'm pretty new to all this. To be honest, when I bought the speakers I only looked At nominal impedans and not the minimim impedans. I just thought the focals sounded great.

But am i wrong to assume the following. According to the article the M1 delivers 83 watt at 2 ohm. Won't it be fair to say that the amp can deliver about 2/3 max volume down to 2 ohm without any problems ?

Or do I misread it?

 

[Mart68]

Iand I appreciate your input. And it certainly is a valid point.

I'm pretty new to all this. To be honest, when I bought the speakers I only looked At nominal impedans and not the minimim impedans. I just thought the focals sounded great.

But am i wrong to assume the following. According to the article the M1 delivers 83 watt at 2 ohm. Won't it be fair to say that the amp can deliver about 2/3 max volume down to 2 ohm without any problems ?

Or do I misread it?

You don't misread it, the problem might occur when the amp is required to momentarily deliver a lot more power than that due to the low impedance at low frequencies, if it can't, then it clips.

Having owned Focal speakers with similar low impedance (plus abrupt phase swing) I ended up using an amp that would deliver 200 watts into 2 ohm and 400 into 1 ohm to get best results (subjectively speaking of course). Prior to that the speakers did sound good other than the bass performance was lacking.

 

[SHDK]

You don't misread it, the problem might occur when the amp is required to momentarily deliver a lot more power than that due to the low impedance at low frequencies, if it can't, then it clips.

Having owned Focal speakers with similar low impedance (plus abrupt phase swing) I ended up using an amp that would deliver 200 watts into 2 ohm and 400 into 1 ohm to get best results (subjectively speaking of course). Prior to that the speakers did sound good other than the bass performance was lacking.

No doubt the little Marantz is far from 400v in 1 ohm.

To my ears..it ain't lacking base at all. Actually they seemed a bit booming compared to my old zensor 5's. But i haven't heard the focals on a large amp. I'm sure they would do well with a bit more power.

At the dealer I heard them on a Naim Amp with 70w in 8 ohm.

But lets say my amp should be a bit on the weak side for the focals. Would it be safe to assume the problem will be at higher volumes ?

 

[Mart68]

Would it be safe to assume the problem will be at higher volumes

Yes, for obvious reasons. Bear in mind that the position of the volume control does not directly relate to how much of the amp's total power is being used.

 

[SHDK]

Yes, for obvious reasons. Bear in mind that the position of the volume control does not directly relate to how much of the amp's total power is being used.

I will remember that. Thanks

 

[SHDK]

Mediocre engineering and grossly overpriced so it’s ’not terrible’ for me. I really do wonder what is going on over at Samsung as far as audio is concerned. They acquired Harmon (Mark Levinson, Revel, Roksan, etc.) years ago and last year acquired Maximo’s Sound United brands (B&W, Marantz, Denton, etc,). What the fuck are they doing development wise? Samsung is an enormous technically competent engineering company so why have they done so little with the brand equity they paid for? Are they entirely focused on leveraging these assets in the automotive space? Are they willing to cede the lower and mid priced home audio business to competitors like WiiM, Fosi, Topping, etc? Sure looks like the answer to that one is ‘yes’ as they’re not developing anything these days in the home audio space that is remotely competitive for mid tier and lower tier price points. I’m willing to be convinced otherwise, but they’re going to have to introduce new products that measure better at lower prices.

Just to be clear. Is it the M1 or the Focals your referring to ?

 

[phoberus]

How do you compare the Focals to the Zensor 5?
I use atm Zensor 5 and I'm not sure to which speaker I want to upgrade

 

[raindance]

I highly doubt the hiss has anything to do with the speaker choice at all. It's simply a fault with the Marantz. Period.

 

[SHDK]

How do you compare the Focals to the Zensor 5?
I use atm Zensor 5 and I'm not sure to which speaker I want to upgrade

I really enjoyed my sensors. But the Focals just sound more open, better detail and with a lot more bottom. That without Hearing fatigue, i can listen to them for 4-5 hours without getting tired.