Speakers that we like and don't like with Carver amps

[kve777 6,144]

I see a common thread amongst us- Infinity, Klipsch and Polk speakers. Personally I find Polks most pleasing with Carver Amps, starting with my first Carver set up- an MXR-130 for tuner and pre with an M-500t for, well, you know, power, into a pair of Monitor 10's. That was over 10 years ago. Since then I've paired M-1.0t's, M-1.5t's, a TFM-45 and numerous The  Receivers with Monitor 5's, 7's, 10's, RT-35's, RTA-15tl's. I just really like the combo. Not fatiguing, very musical, and just over-all pleasing. Klipsch is my second choice to pair with Carver power. I have not had enough Infinity experience to give comment. It should be noted that I've had a couple of pairs of AL-III's, but no other Carver speakers. I liked the RTA-15tl's better than the AL-III's. Mainly because of fatigue, specifically because of a harshness around 8-10kHz. What are your Carver amp/speaker pairing thoughts?

[Daddyjt 8,522]

My first real experience with carver power came in 1994, with an A 400x driving a pair of Polk LS 70s. Incidentally, I am running this exact same combo in my family room at right now, 20 years later! (The amp went to Snow in a karma a while back, but found it's way home again -- if you love something set it free...)

 

I do my critical listening tests of my mkII 500t amps in this same set up, just subbing the mkII for my 400x, before I ship them back to their owners. The Polks really sound nice with Carver amps.

 

My HT mainstays were Klipsch RF7 for the past 10 years, powered by a seemingly revolving door of Carver. I will say that the Klipsch sound best with mkII amps, and not as good with TFM amps, in my experience.

 

My newest addition is of course the Kappa 9s. They sound wonderful, and are a great match for the seemingly endless power of the mkII 1.0t amps.

[peck555 366]

I have found that Magnepans, Canton, and Mordant Short speakers all sound excellent with Carver power, they have a lovely fullness that brings the music alive. I've also had luck with Klipch but a very small sample. My 2 cents

[Gene C 1,743]

Along with Mark's thoughts, I can't say I have heard any Infinity speaker paired with a Carver amp that didn't sound wonderful. Bob and Arnie have the best ears. Brilliant engineering minds alike, those two should have built something together.

[CT-Seven 763]

My first true musical love was monitor 10's with an M500(t)

 

But...

 

I do love how my new SDA SRS 2 sound with a M500(t)mkii

 

old Polks and transfer function go hand in hand

[dcl 3,111]

Much to my chagrin I've been listening the last two decades-plus with M1.0ts. Polk SDA-SRS 1.2t, Silver ALS, CRM-2–they all sound very fine.  I have no comparisons to make, there is none other available.  A RichP M1.0t  mk II has just joined the system, primarily as the mainstay for the next two decades, advanced planning so to speak. Do the speakers sound better with mk II? Hard to say, , the mk II came on the heels of a C-1^BillD (how's that for a trademark?), the two play together and I do not swap them amongst with the speakers, so still no comparison. I am caught in a Bobfather Bubble. 

[dazed_and_confused 193]

Had a Sunfire 300x2 on the Plats a while back and words that came to mind included -effortless, open, dynamic, detailed, clear, clean, extended. Though lacking from the list was liquid, warm.

 

The pair of ZR1600's I owned and ran with Magnepans and QLN'S don't count...

 

[chiroacademy 828]

I have Von Schweikert VR3 and I love the sound. I haven't a chance to compare many speakers.  I had a vintage set of Mission Freedoms and the Bose 901 VI (Awesome Karma) both very nice speakers but in no way sound comparable to the Von Scheikerts.

[ChrisTFM35 403]

I've always liked the sound of Paradigm speakers. I'm running Studio 40's and the sound is fantastic.

[AndrewJohn 7,223]

OK, don't laugh.  

 

One of my favorite speakers to drive with my C-2, M200t, DTL-50 & TX-2 setup in my office are a pair of Epi 400's.  When I got them, they were abused. I re-veneered them, and rebuilt the drivers.  These omni-directional towers were made in the original Burhoe line.  

 

These were the WAF version of the 72inch tall M1000s back in the original line.  (Interesting anecdote: the original Epi factory was a recommissioned mill that built coffins.  There is some resemblence to the big M1000s.)

 

I'll have to dig up a picture.

 

I'm not the audiophile vocabulist, but for me, something just sweet and mellow occurs with these placed left and right centrally in the room.  Jazz and blues dance off the walls. 

[dazed_and_confused 193]

 

 

OK, don't laugh.  

 

One of my favorite speakers to drive with my C-2, M200t, DTL-50 & TX-2 setup in my office are a pair of Epi 400's.  When I got them, they were abused. I re-veneered them, and rebuilt the drivers.  These omni-directional towers were made in the original Burhoe line.  

 

These were the WAF version of the 72inch tall M1000s back in the original line.  (Interesting anecdote: the original Epi factory was a recommissioned mill that built coffins.  There is some resemblence to the big M1000s.)

 

I'll have to dig up a picture.

 

I'm not the audiophile vocabulist, but for me, something just sweet and mellow occurs with these placed left and right centrally in the room.  Jazz and blues dance off the walls. 

 

Awesome! Pictures please...

[jazzman53 1,177]

When I first built my DIY ESL's back in 2008, I was terrified that their nasty capacitance/impedance would smoke my beloved Carver TFM-25's but not so-- the 25's drive them with scary realism to ear splitting volume and never get above luke warm.

  

[chiroacademy 828]

 

 

When I first built my DIY ESL's back in 2008, I was terrified that their nasty capacitance/impedance would smoke my beloved Carver TFM-25's but not so-- the 25's drive them with scary realism to ear splitting volume and never get above luke warm.

  

 

 

Was that your own design or from a kit?  If from a kit, what kit and do you have pics? 

[Belvedere2 151]

First ran my 901s with an "other" modded 1.0t. Sounded great. Now running my Infinity bass towers on an unmodded 1.0t. Sounds great. Never ran my ARs on any of my Carver amps. Bought them in my ampless phase. I do intend to get my 1.0 done; presently in waiting list. Also would like to try a 4.0.

[compwaco 1,128]

I have had very good synergy with the Fried O Subwoofer / C2 Satellite pair. I have also used a pair of Spica TC-50's, Paradigm 9SE's, Altec 19's, and Mirage OMD-15's all with very good results.

[jazzman53 1,177]

 

 

 

When I first built my DIY ESL's back in 2008, I was terrified that their nasty capacitance/impedance would smoke my beloved Carver TFM-25's but not so-- the 25's drive them with scary realism to ear splitting volume and never get above luke warm.

Was that your own design or from a kit? If from a kit, what kit and do you have pics?

 

The design was mine although many elements were gleaned from other ESL builders on the DIY Audio Form. I have an entire website dedicated to building ESL's here:

http://jazzman-esl-page.blogspot.com/

 

[Zoom 372]

The best pair of speakers musically I've ever owned are my DCM TF-600 s.  They LOVE my C-11/M-500t combination.

They have smaller Vifa drivers which require some power, accuracy and clarity to sound right.

 

But it's obviously much more than that.  These towers are rated at 250watt power handling at 6 ohms, even with the smaller Vifas.  So the amp must be able to be very quiet, still, and produce those small noises correctly, and still have the nuts to handle 250 watt transients with a 6ohm load.

 

My M-500t loves it. 

And with a left and right speaker, and C-11 SH, it's a match made in heaven.  For now.

 

 

 

 

[AndrewJohn 7,223]

 

 

 

No dictionary results were found. Please try another search.

See results for for wattage on Reference.com

 

OK, don't laugh.  

 

One of my favorite speakers to drive with my C-2, M200t, DTL-50 & TX-2 setup in my office are a pair of Epi 400's.  When I got them, they were abused. I re-veneered them, and rebuilt the drivers.  These omni-directional towers were made in the original Burhoe line.  

 

These were the WAF version of the 72inch tall M1000s back in the original line.  (Interesting anecdote: the original Epi factory was a recommissioned mill that built coffins.  There is some resemblence to the big M1000s.)

 

I'll have to dig up a picture.

 

I'm not the audiophile vocabulist, but for me, something just sweet and mellow occurs with these placed left and right centrally in the room.  Jazz and blues dance off the walls. 

 

Awesome! Pictures please...

 

Here you go, Dazed,

 

I don't have them staged at the moment - this is in my workshop a.k.a. the Phil-look (random naked amps - and some not naked)... behind the cameraman.

 

BEFORE: (the guy's house where I rescued them)

 

 

AFTER:

 

 

Still recovering the grills - least appealing part of the project for me.

 

There's a driver+tweeter pair on all four sides. Each cabinet weighs 90 lbs, lots of bracing inside, and those sealed boxes give them some bass.  They are so tight, that if you push in one woofer, the other three are forced out by the displaced air.  They are low-tech, but they do deliver.  Not rated, they have taken everything I've given them from the M200t and fill the room (house) nicely - to my ears.   

 

 

 

[dazed_and_confused 193]

 

 

Here you go, Dazed,

 

I don't have them staged at the moment - this is in my workshop a.k.a. the Phil-look (random naked amps - and some not naked)... behind the cameraman.

 

BEFORE: (the guy's house where I rescued them)

 

 

AFTER:

 

 

Still recovering the grills - least appealing part of the project for me.

 

There's a driver+tweeter pair on all four sides. Each cabinet ways 90 lbs, lots of bracing inside, and those sealed boxes give them some bass.  They are so tight, that if you push in one woofer, the other three are forced out by the displaced air.  They are low-tech, but they do deliver.  Not rated, they have taken everything I've given them from the M200t and fill the room (house) nicely - to my ears.   

 

 

 

 

Wowzee! The veneer work looks excellent, nice job. I've always wanted to hear an omni directional speaker. Though yours seem to have a different approach than that taken by the likes of Ohm and MBL. Do they run full range or do you pair them with a sub(s)??

 

Kudos for bringing something back to life with a classy touch!

 

dac

[fill35U 1,843]

 

 

 

 

 

Wowee! That's a beautiful rig, AJ!  Is yours a Featured System? 

[dazed_and_confused 193]

I have had very good synergy with the Fried O Subwoofer / C2 Satellite pair. I have also used a pair of Spica TC-50's, Paradigm 9SE's, Altec 19's, and Mirage OMD-15's all with very good results.

 

You've just mentioned two speakers which have been on my bucket list for years - I've never heard Frieds, presumably it's one of his transmission line designs? Also the Spica TC-50's are something I've always wanted to hear - the reviews say that they image like crazy, which is virtue I have a real soft spot for...

 

This place is awesome!

[AndrewJohn 7,223]

 

 

Wowzee! The veneer work looks excellent, nice job. I've always wanted to hear an omni directional speaker. Though yours seem to have a different approach than that taken by the likes of Ohm and MBL. Do they run full range or do you pair them with a sub(s)??

 

Kudos for bringing something back to life with a classy touch!

 

dac

 

Thanks DAC,

 

I've never had want for a sub with these, the 90lb boxes seem to magnify the low end - at least where i've had them set up in the house (so far!).  Made in the early 70's, they are pushing 40+ years old.  I'm sure I'm not the first to pair them with an M200t in the early years of Carver.

 

 

Wowee! That's a beautiful rig, AJ!  Is yours a Featured System? 

Thanks, Phil, 

 

Not yet featured, - I'm getting close, though   ! 

[kve777 6,144]

 

 

 

I have had very good synergy with the Fried O Subwoofer / C2 Satellite pair. I have also used a pair of Spica TC-50's, Paradigm 9SE's, Altec 19's, and Mirage OMD-15's all with very good results.

 

You've just mentioned two speakers which have been on my bucket list for years - I've never heard Frieds, presumably it's one of his transmission line designs? Also the Spica TC-50's are something I've always wanted to hear - the reviews say that they image like crazy, which is virtue I have a real soft spot for...

 

This place is awesome!

You're going to hate me- I picked up a decent pair of Spica TC-50's last year for $40.00. Got $200.00 for them rather quickly. The do image well. My Snell CI's have the same angle deal, very similar imaging, but way better bass.

[dazed_and_confused 193]

 

 

 

 

I have had very good synergy with the Fried O Subwoofer / C2 Satellite pair. I have also used a pair of Spica TC-50's, Paradigm 9SE's, Altec 19's, and Mirage OMD-15's all with very good results.

 

You've just mentioned two speakers which have been on my bucket list for years - I've never heard Frieds, presumably it's one of his transmission line designs? Also the Spica TC-50's are something I've always wanted to hear - the reviews say that they image like crazy, which is virtue I have a real soft spot for...

 

This place is awesome!

You're going to hate me- I picked up a decent pair of Spica TC-50's last year for $40.00. Got $200.00 for them rather quickly. The do image well. My Snell CI's have the same angle deal, very similar imaging, but way better bass.

Good catch!

I'm always on my local Craigslist looking for bargains, but nothing much shows up these days. It seems people are more savvy these days, thanks to the web, and know how to research pricing on older gear.....I'll keep waiting I guess

 

That said, I could actually do with shedding a couple pairs of speakers and not recruiting any more....at least that's what the missus tells me...

[AndrewJohn 7,223]

 

 

The best pair of speakers musically I've ever owned are my DCM TF-600 s.  They LOVE my C-11/M-500t combination.

They have smaller Vifa drivers which require some power, accuracy and clarity to sound right.

 

But it's obviously much more than that.  These towers are rated at 250watt power handling at 6 ohms, even with the smaller Vifas.  So the amp must be able to be very quiet, still, and produce those small noises correctly, and still have the nuts to handle 250 watt transients with a 6ohm load.

 

My M-500t loves it. 

And with a left and right speaker, and C-11 SH, it's a match made in heaven.  For now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a buddy local here who has a perfect pair of these - he's trying to sell them ($300?) - I think he had them since new.  Maybe they would be even better on my Carver, (instead of his Hafler)...They are nice, when i go to his house to listen. But he's got a pair of TOL paradigms now.