Topping B100 Amplifier Review

[EddNog]

Replacement B100 came in, a brand new unit. Hooked it all up, everything sounds fine including the remaining amp on the other channel, so that one does not seem to have suffered any ill effects from the event that killed the one other channel.

-Ed

 

[Jukka]

Still thinking. The manual says that output is BTL.
View attachment 409735
And my test circuit scheme is in my review https://pmacura.cz/FCT/topping_b100.htm (floating differential input of ADC, but the amp is driven from RCA==>XLR 3-wire cable. The setup I use to measure Hypex and Purifi).

If the +in and -in of the XLR drive the amplifier halves directly, then I could get only 1/4 output power in my setup. If the balanced input is not a common balanced input, but drives two halves directly and separately, then it is possible. Still a mystery. Let’s see what @miero gets from Topping.

View attachment 409739

So it amplifies each XLR input relative to ground. Does this also mean that the amplifier can close itself (break) down more easily if there is much external interference onto to signal cable? I'm not sure how low the threshold is, but in theory that can happen immediately when you turn it on, especially if there is no cable connected?

 

[anthonyc]

hi everyone,

I am looking to purchase 1 mono unit mainly for speakers measurements using REW, will this amp work well for my intended use? if you have other mono amp suggestions, i would like to hear it. thanks.

 

[antcollinet]

hi everyone,

I am looking to purchase 1 mono unit mainly for speakers measurements using REW, will this amp work well for my intended use? if you have other mono amp suggestions, i would like to hear it. thanks.

I would say that might be underpowered if you want to test speakers ability to reach their rated SPL levels.

I would be looking at the Fosi V3 mono. Double the power for half the cost, and while it doesn't measure quite as well as the B100, those differences will be both inaudible, and will not appear in measurements taken by a microphone via a speaker in the acoustic domain.

 

[anthonyc]

I would say that might be underpowered if you want to test speakers ability to reach their rated SPL levels.

I would be looking at the Fosi V3 mono. Double the power for half the cost, and while it doesn't measure quite as well as the B100, those differences will be both inaudible, and will not appear in measurements taken by a microphone via a speaker in the acoustic domain.

Thanks for the reply, I am considering the Fosi V3 mono until I saw a few reports and youtube videos of it emitting smoke, my concern is it might break down if I do extensive measurements. While Amir's test of the B100 shows very good thermal behavior.

 

[Sokel]

Thanks for the reply, I am considering the Fosi V3 mono until I saw a few reports and youtube videos of it emitting smoke, my concern is it might break down if I do extensive measurements. While Amir's test of the B100 shows very good thermal behavior.

Speakers tests can be hard.
Considering what Amir uses at a state of the art system like Klippel (Behringer A500) I would look at more robust solutions.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks for the reply, I am considering the Fosi V3 mono until I saw a few reports and youtube videos of it emitting smoke, my concern is it might break down if I do extensive measurements. While Amir's test of the B100 shows very good thermal behavior.

Amir's review didn't show any thermal problems with the Fosi either.

However if you have concerns, then another option may one of the 3e-audio amps (such as the recently reviewed A5 (but stereo, and same power as B100), or the soon to be reviewed A7 mono or, going up in price significantly an amp based on the hypex or purify modules.

On the other hand - if you are not wanting to do any higher power tests above about 5W with the speakers, then the B100 will be a fine choice.

 

[anthonyc]

Is the Topping B200 a better choice? I am looking at class AB/B. read somewhere that some class d are non linear depending on load impedance, is that something I should be concerned about if I go the class d route? I appreciate your input.

 

[miero]

Notice: both B100 and B200 are BTL amplifiers and you cannot connect their negative speaker terminal to the signal ground.

For measuring loudspeakers I would recommend another class AB amplifier.

 

[Julf]

Is the Topping B200 a better choice? I am looking at class AB/B. read somewhere that some class d are non linear depending on load impedance, is that something I should be concerned about if I go the class d route? I appreciate your input.

That claim only applies to older class D designs that don't include the output choke in the feedback loop.

 

[antcollinet]

Notice: both B100 and B200 are BTL amplifiers and you cannot connect their negative speaker terminal to the signal ground.

For measuring loudspeakers I would recommend another class AB amplifier.

Why does that matter for acoustic measurements?

 

[antcollinet]

That claim only applies to older class D designs that don't include the output choke in the feedback loop.

Exactly - all the class D amps I've suggested have post filter feedback.

 

[Sokel]

Why does that matter for acoustic measurements?

Probably because of the measuring equipment that one may connect to speakers,not all are differential.
And even a suspicion of ground at such amps (like my 1200as2's for example,who is maybe protected but still warn about it) may cause trouble.

 

[miero]

Why does that matter for acoustic measurements?

If measurement of impedance is not needed, then it might work.

 

[Jukka]

hi everyone,

I am looking to purchase 1 mono unit mainly for speakers measurements using REW, will this amp work well for my intended use? if you have other mono amp suggestions, i would like to hear it. thanks.

You will need a stereo amplifier for meaningful measurements. Yes, you can do basic measurements with just one channel, but you should still get a stereo and look up "2 channel loudspeaker measurements".

 

[JPA]

You will need a stereo amplifier for meaningful measurements. Yes, you can do basic measurements with just one channel, but you should still get a stereo and look up "2 channel loudspeaker measurements".

And why is that? D'Appolito's "Testing Loudspeakers" book is the bible on loudspeaker testing, and it says nothing about testing with 2 channels.

 

[Jukka]

And why is that? D'Appolito's "Testing Loudspeakers" book is the bible on loudspeaker testing, and it says nothing about testing with 2 channels.

It doesn't seem that good of a book then. I for sure haven't read it, but I have made many pairs of speakers.

 

[staticV3]

Yeah I don't really see a point in stereo Amps for loudspeaker testing.

Good loudspeakers are developed in Mono, get QCed in Mono, and are measured in Mono (e.g. Amir's reviews).

None of these steps is improved by measuring in Stereo. It would just complicate things with no benefit whatsoever.

 

[JPA]

It doesn't seem that good of a book then. I for sure haven't read it, but I have made many pairs of speakers.

Let's see...

"Snell Acoustics, a manufacturer of loudspeakers for more than 30 years, has announced that audio designer Joseph D'Appolito, Ph.D, whose name is synonymous with the paired-vertical array, is now exclusively Snell's full-time chief engineer. In his newly designated position, Dr. D'Appolito will work closely with David Logvin, Snell's Senior Design Engineer, to direct new product development.

Additional Resources
• Read more floorstanding speaker news from HomeTheaterReview.com.
• See more stories like this in our Industry Trade News section.

An authority in acoustics, speaker design and measurement techniques, Dr. D'Appolito has been Snell's chief engineer since joining the company in 2003 and has spearheaded the design of many of the company's products, including Snell's new Illusion Reference Tower. He has also been directly responsible for the Snell Series 7 models, including the complementary in-wall and in-cabinet speakers. Now, with Dr. D'Appolito's exclusive commitment to Snell, he and the company will be able to concentrate on the obvious synergies between his engineering pedigree and Snell's expertise in the design and manufacturing of loudspeakers.

Designer of the "D'Appolito Array"

Dr. D'Appolito is best known for designing the popular loudspeaker geometry commonly known as the "D'Appolito Array," which is now incorporated into the designs of many speakers designed and manufactured in Europe, Asia and the U.S. The technique, when properly executed, sandwiches a tweeter between two midrange drivers - so that the tweeter's output is directed primarily at listeners in the horizontal plane, minimizing reflections with the floor and ceiling.

In addition to designing the D'Appolito Array, Dr. D'Appolito has been at the forefront of commercial loudspeaker design for over twenty years. Prior to joining Snell, he was instrumental in the design of more than 80 loudspeaker systems and related audio engineering projects.

Read more about Dr. D'Appolito's impressive record on Page 2.
SnellLogo_HomeTheaterReview.gif

Dr. D'Appolito is the author of an
authoritative book on loudspeaker testing, Testing Loudspeakers (Audio
Amateur Press). In addition, he has contributed to both the technical
and popular literature on loudspeaker and crossover design. He has
served as Contributing Technical Editor for books on home and auto
loudspeaker construction published by Master Publishing, and has
authored more than 30 journal and conference papers covering
applications of modern estimation and control theory, statistical
signal processing, stochastic systems identification and modeling, and
a broad range of navigation, guidance, communications and signal
processing issues.

Snell's New Illusion Tower

Dr. D'Appolito's most recent
accomplishment at Snell has been directing the design and creation of
the Snell Illusion Reference Tower loudspeaker, a product with no
limitations set on acoustical design, materials or creative design. A
uniquely designed pair of tapering towers, Illusion houses a full
spectrum of transducers, integrated with a custom crossover network.

Dr. D'Appolito holds BEE, SMEE,
EE and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Rensselear
Polytechnic Institute, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and
the University of Massachusetts."

But since you've never heard of him, and you've built several speakers, you know more than he does about speaker testing.

 

[EddNog]

It doesn't seem that good of a book then. I for sure haven't read it, but I have made many pairs of speakers.

The kid up the block at McDonald’s has flipped thousands of Quarter Pounders with Cheese—he’s no 4-star chef.

-Ed