Can the XS 2 drive Focal Aria 948 ?

Sure it can , i already listened to them ,focal also have high sensitivity , 

pamzz posted:

Sure it can , i already listened to them ,focal also have high sensitivity , 

Hello pamzz,

That is exactly what I calculated too!

However this technician told me that it would be hard for the XS 2 because of the two 21 flax bass drivers...

Focal speakers are usually easy to drive. And the output specifications of naim amps understate just how powerful they are when you hear them. The XS2 should be able to drive those Aria's easily. The stuff about the flax bass drivers is nonsense. 

MDS posted:

Focal speakers are usually easy to drive. And the output specifications of naim amps understate just how powerful they are when you hear them. The XS2 should be able to drive those Aria's easily. The stuff about the flax bass drivers is nonsense. 

What do you make of the speakers' low impedance though, Mike?

(My Q slightly hedged with the fact that Paul has heard the combo and likes it).

Indeed a 2.5 ohm impedance dip is going to cause some issues with many amps.. even if a bit of glare or unwanted prominence. I would ensure you have a meaty amp to drive...

Christopher_M posted:

MDS posted:

Focal speakers are usually easy to drive. And the output specifications of naim amps understate just how powerful they are when you hear them. The XS2 should be able to drive those Aria's easily. The stuff about the flax bass drivers is nonsense. 

What do you make of the speakers' low impedance though, Mike?

(My Q slightly hedged with the fact that Paul has heard the combo and likes it).

I don't how relevant that is in real world terms, Chris. I've yet to hear a pair of Focal speakers that can't be driven by naim amps.  For example, I was really quite surprised at the power and sense of fun I heard when my dealer paired an Atom (I think) with Kanta 2s.  I believe the Atom is rated at only 40 wpc.  The Kantas have flax drivers, like the Arias.  

I still recall in the 80s when I worked for a Naim dealer as a classical/jazz record buyer. I was not involved at all with Hifi sales, etc. I had a 150 WPC McIntosh system of separates I was very proud of. The owner sent me home with a Chome Bumper Nait (what, like 20 WPC or something?) and asked me to try it. 

It was no contest, the Nait put that McIntosh system to shame. It was punchier, louder and more detailed. It sounded better in every way. My wife noticed the same instantly. I listed my McIntosh system for sale the next day, and bought a 42.5/HiCap/140. That was my introduction to Naim.

Naim amps can boogie like crazy and drive difficult speaker loads very well. I'm currently running a 250DR into a pair of Dynaudio S3.4s (which have 4Ω nominal impedance). It's delicious.

Alan Sircom on Hifi+ recently reviewed the Uniti Nova with the Focal Kanta 2. The Kanta also has flax drivers, and the Nova had no problem driving them. 

Hi FRENCHYMANHOLOW,

Welcome to the forum.

Not so long ago I was pairing a Supernait 1 with a set of Focal Aria 926’s...... it was a very good combination that worked well. 

As MDS has already mentioned focal speakers are reasonably easy to drive....

The spec sheet mentions 2.5ohm as the lower point.  I would prefer at least a SN2 if not more.. Depending on the room and the volume levels you listen to. 

I am not convinced the XS2 will be able to provide the headroom needed. 

So what would be the risk ? 

Not enough/clumsy low frequencies ? Damaging the amplifier ?

Also I thought that the lower the impedance of the speaker, the more power an amplifier can deliver... that makes me lost.

Thanks, Paul.

View it like this. .

The speakers pull current from the amplifier 

Not that the amplifier pushes current to the speaker 

More transformer power now leads to more headroom which means that the amplifier able to meet what the speaker asks for  ( what the music requires  )

Zero impedance is a short circuit 

2.5 ohms demand means the speaker will pull more current at lower frequency 

Since the SN2 has a more powerful transformer. .it will be able to send more current. 

All this excludes the possibility that your room is small enough for the XS2 

But a smaller room and a floorstander means that you might have to give adequate breathing room to the speakers 

PS. : my speakers demand 6 ohm at lowest frequency 50 hz so my Amplifier haS to work less as compared to a speaker demand of 2.5 ohm

Hope I am making sense and able to explain 

 PS2 ... Nothing like a home audition 

Thank you MPW, my room is 35 sqm.

I = U / R so I get the point yes; indeed.

Thought lots of people argue that the announced watts on Naim products are very conservatives, and that it can deliver much much more. What do you think of that ?

In the case that it wouldnt be enough; how would the addition of a NAP help?

A SN2 will be a good start point ..from the Naim range 

Above this. .the better power. The better for the music assuming the source is up to scratch 

That will also depend on your budget.. 

These focals  can handle up-to 350 watts. .

The SN2 can do 135w at 4 ohm which is quite good... For many speakers 

My friend. ..YMMV applies 

If you look at Naim separates I would look at the 250 DR with pre.. At least 

But that leads to more outlay. ..

As a SN2 owner and a previous Naim Nair 5i2 owner. .I Am quite happy with my amplifier