Benchmark ahb2 manual drivers#

If we wish to build a small enclosure with extended low-frequency response, we can do this at the expense of sensitivity. Today, with improved power handling capabilities, we have the option of selecting low-sensitivity speakers paired with high-powered amplifiers. With a 96 dB sensitivity, the Heresy could play loud with just 10 or 20 watts, but would burn up somewhere between 25 to 100 watts. In 1957, power amplifiers were small and high sensitivity was essential. If a speaker requires 1 W to produce an acoustic output of 85 dB, it will require 2 W to produce 88 dB, 4 W to produce 91 dB, 8 W to produce 94 dB, and 16 W to produce 97 dB, which approximately matches the 1-watt output of the original Klipsch Heresy. With any speaker, we need to double the power for every 3 dB increase in loudness. Nevertheless, both groups of customers can use the AHB2, because the AHB2 has been specifically designed to operate at both extremes. When it comes to power requirements and noise requirements, there are vast differences between driving 85 dB speakers and 109 dB horns. Other AHB2 customers have low-sensitivity 85 dB speakers like the Benchmark SMS1. Some Benchmark AHB2 customers have horn-loaded speakers with sensitivities as high as 109 dB, 1 W at 1 m (Avantgarde Trio). The Heresy was designed to be a hi-fi speaker but, because of its sensitivity, it became a popular sound reinforcement speaker in the 1960's and 1970's. It is still made today and the current version is rated at 99 dB, 2.83 V at 1 m. It was introduced in 1957 and had a sensitivity of about 96 dB, 1W 1 m. One classic example is the Klipsch Heresy.

Benchmark ahb2 manual drivers#

Note that some hi-fi speakers use horn-loaded drivers and have sensitivities near 100 dB.

The following chart shows typical sensitivity ranges: Type of Speaker At 8-Ohms, 1 watt and 2.83 Vrms are equivalent. The acoustic output is normally measured in an anechoic space at a distance of 1 meter from the speaker. Sensitivity is normally measured with a 1 watt power input or a 2.83 Vrms voltage input. Speaker sensitivity is a measure of how loud a speaker will play at a given input power or at a given input voltage.