Revel M16 vs. CSS Audio 1TDX with Superior Upgrades; Speaker Recommendations

[TITLEplayer]

Hey folks,

I'm beginning to plan out my audio equipment for my small room. My audiophile experience so far has been with Koss KSC75, Sennheiser HD6XX modded, and Focal Clear (Non-mg). I've been looking for a good speaker set that won't require subwoofers.

I'm currently getting a Topping E70 Velvet and PA 7 Plus. At first, I was thinking of saving up and getting the Musician Knight 1. But I've also been aware of Revel M16 and DIY speakers such as CSS and GR Research.

Knight 1 seems too expensive for me. I'm current leaning towards building CSS Audio 1TDX with the superior upgrades or buying Revel M16 and getting small subwoofers in the future for it.

So my primary question is, which is better? Revel M16 (without subwoofers for now) or CSS Audio 1TDX with Superior upgrades? I think 1TDX with its upgrades is my max budget.

 

[sweetchaos]

What’s your budget?

 

[TITLEplayer]

What’s your budget?

I'm willing to go up to like $1500 USD for a pair of speakers. Needs to be compatible with Topping PA7 Plus and I prefer something that also has a locatable and tight bass, so I don't have to buy subwoofers.

I've seen Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX recommended on your list, but Amir hasn't reviewed it?

 

[sweetchaos]

Spin is provided by the manufacturer.

From

SIERRA-LX PAIR

Our Latest And Greatest Bookshelf Monitor Class-leading bass extension, massive dynamics and midbass punch, high power handling, exceptionally wide and linear dispersion combined with some of the best measurements in the industry, our new LX is truly something quite unique and special. This is...

ascendacoustics.com

Measured using Klippel NFS, just like Amir or Erin have.

 

[TITLEplayer]

My room is 185in x 140in. And I may have to play stuff at low volume during nighttime to not disturb others.

Is Sierra-LX Pair a good fit then? I'm not sure about the include NFS measurements option. Is that an upgrade? Prices goes up to $2,048.00 with that included. Can't find much information on these speakers on YouTube.

Do you know what kind of plugs these take in? I only have experience with banana plugs.

 

[raindance]

How could measurements be an upgrade? I certainly wouldn't pay for them. We already know Ascend makes great speakers and they are probably your best choice especially with your started desire for low frequency capability.

 

[voodooless]

Superior upgrades

Total waste of money. This will not add any performance, just robs you of your money.

 

[TITLEplayer]

How could measurements be an upgrade? I certainly wouldn't pay for them. We already know Ascend makes great speakers and they are probably your best choice especially with your started desire for low frequency capability.

Oh, so it's just a report? Yeah, I don't need that. The $250 and $500 price confused me. I'm not familiar with Kippel NFS.

 

[TITLEplayer]

Total waste of money. This will not add any performance, just robs you of your money.

So the superior crossover upgrade for 1TDX just claims to extend soundstage and presentation? Snake oil?

 

[voodooless]

So the superior crossover upgrade for 1TDX just claims to extend soundstage and presentation? Snake oil?

Yes, it’s nonsense.

 

[Deleted member 21219]

I'm not familiar with Kippel NFS.

Near Field Scanner System (NFS)

Near Field Scanning System, NFS

www.klippel.de

Jim

 

[TITLEplayer]

Spin is provided by the manufacturer.
View attachment 338718

From

SIERRA-LX PAIR

Our Latest And Greatest Bookshelf Monitor Class-leading bass extension, massive dynamics and midbass punch, high power handling, exceptionally wide and linear dispersion combined with some of the best measurements in the industry, our new LX is truly something quite unique and special. This is...

ascendacoustics.com

Measured using Klippel NFS, just like Amir or Erin have.

So Topping PA7 Plus should be able to drive Sierra LX?

PA7 Plus apparently does 300W and Sierra LX handles 350W at maximum. But I know nothing about voltage, ohms, impedance, and stuff.

 

[Deleted member 21219]

But I know nothing about voltage, ohms, impedance, and stuff.

Ohm's Law:

resistance vs. impedance:

Resistance vs Impedance | Top 8 difference between them

Impedance is basically a combination of resistance and reactance. Here is the difference between resistance and impedance. Understance resistance vs impedance.

www.electricalclassroom.com

Reactance, inductive and capacitative:

23.2: Reactance, Inductive and Capacitive

phys.libretexts.org

There's a boatload of good information in those links.

Jim

 

[TITLEplayer]

Ohm's Law:

View attachment 338936

resistance vs. impedance:

Resistance vs Impedance | Top 8 difference between them

Impedance is basically a combination of resistance and reactance. Here is the difference between resistance and impedance. Understance resistance vs impedance.

www.electricalclassroom.com

Reactance, inductive and capacitative:

23.2: Reactance, Inductive and Capacitive

phys.libretexts.org

There's a boatload of good information in those links.

Jim

Haha, I didn't do well in physics. Thank you for being informative.

Do you know if Topping PA7 Plus pairs well with Sierra LX?

 

[sweetchaos]

Input:

Anechoic Sensitivity: 81.6db (source)
In-Room Sensitivity: 87dB (source)
Ohms: 8 (source)
Power at 8 ohms (for Topping PA7 Plus): 107 watts (source) (power versus distortion @ 8 ohms both channels driven)

Using (source)

Results:

You'll get 96.1db SPL Peaks at this 9ft distance.
So if you're listening at 76.1dB on average, you'll have 20dB of dynamic range, or headroom.

 

[voodooless]

You'll get 96.1db SPL Peaks at this 9ft distance.
So if you're listening at 76.1dB on average, you'll have 20dB of dynamic range, or headroom

If you live in a field in-room, you should add several dBs, you’ll probably realistically end up above 100.

 

[TITLEplayer]

Thank you, Sweet Chaos, that's such a helpful resource. Apparently, Topping E70 Velvet could randomly max out volume.

Is there a good, balanced XLR volume controller that you guys recommend?

 

[sweetchaos]

Apparently, Topping E70 Velvet could randomly max out volume.

That sounds like a bug.
Did you buy it less than a year ago? Perhaps a warranty claim is needed.

 

[TITLEplayer]

That sounds like a bug.
Did you buy it less than a year ago? Perhaps a warranty claim is needed.

No, I should be getting it this week, but I don't have a speaker to test it with.

I was reading https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...topping-e70-randomly-went-to-max-volume.42422.

It seems like Axiom II Passive Preamp with Caddock is what I would need to control the volume

Axiom II Passive Preamp XLR

The AXIOM II passive preamplifier is in a class by itself. This is a fixed series/variable shunt device. In layman's terms this means the audio signal does not actually flow through the volume control. The signal flows through one high quality resistor and the amplifier's inputs are shunted to...

luminousaudio.com

But I don't know what to fill in the fields for Speaker Efficiency, Power Amp Input Impudence, and Power Amp Input sensitivity.

 

[sweetchaos]

No, I should be getting it this week

I mean, if you're worried about it already, why not just get another DAC that doesnt have this issue?
Or you still have 1 year to see if this issue comes up, and then claim a warranty fix.