Hello from Ohio

[Hiwayjunkie]

Just purchased some used 340SE's. Liking in very much. Hearing things I didn't hear with my other tower speakers. Getting some breakup in the highs with very much volume. What amplifier does everyone recommend for these speakers? Thanks for having me!!

[davef]

Just purchased some used 340SE's. Liking in very much. Hearing things I didn't hear with my other tower speakers. Getting some breakup in the highs with very much volume. What amplifier does everyone recommend for these speakers? Thanks for having me!!

That sounds like amplifier clipping. What amplifier are you currently using and how far back are you sitting from the speakers?

[Hiwayjunkie]

Using a Kenwood KA-7002. Sitting about 10 ft away from speakers. Thanks

[curtis]

Using a Kenwood KA-7002. Sitting about 10 ft away from speakers. Thanks
Wow...that is vintage! How loud do you listen?

Do you have a budget for something new?

[Hiwayjunkie]

I also have a NAD C-350, and a Marantz 2238B. I have been thinking on something new. Would love some recomendations

[racrawford65]

Budget?

[curtis]

Try the NAD.

Same question: Budget?

[Hiwayjunkie]

Around a thousand

[racrawford65]

If none of your existing options work for you, maybe look on USAudiomart or Audigon for a previous generation Anthem AVR (eg x20, x10, x00) or an integrated from Rogue Audio (unless you aren't interested in tube equipment),

[davef]

Using a Kenwood KA-7002. Sitting about 10 ft away from speakers. Thanks

It is likely that your power supply filter capacitors are drying up and as such, ripple current is not being properly handled. I'd say it is time to replace the Kenwood, or have it refurbished.

[Hiwayjunkie]

Ok, thanks everyone for the help!! I'll keep trying, cause they sure sound sweet!

[MusicHead]

I have owned the 340SEs for several years and never, ever had any breakup issues (or any other, for that matter 🙂). With their sensitivity they can play loud without requiring lots of power.
I'd try them with the NAD and see what happens.

Consider that all the three amps you have are rather modest in power rating.
If you like it really loud you may want to buy something with more power reserve.

In the one grand range there are many choices for a 2-ch integrated amp. One that seems to be a good bang for the buck, with decent power rating and good sonic qualities is the Yamaha A -S801. It has been around for a while, so you may even find one used if you want to save some money.

For what is worth, here is a review from Audioholics, with a good balance of objective and subjective assessments:

https://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/yamaha-a-s801-amplifier-review

Otherwise, there are several integrated amps from Cambridge Audio, Denon, Marantz, Rotel, Arcam and of course NAD around $1k. However, they all are in the 50-60W power range, as those you already have.

For something off of the beaten path and on the minimalist side of things, there is also the Emotiva BasX TA2.

[Hiwayjunkie]

Hey, appreciate the advice, Music Head! Seems to do it more with female voices, but some instruments too. I have Snell Type D speakers, and they do fine with those amps. I'll keep experimenting! Thanks again

[Hiwayjunkie]

What Amplifier or receiver do you use?

[MusicHead]

What Amplifier or receiver do you use?

I suppose you are asking me. I have an Emotiva Fusion 8100, a 7.1 AVR no longer in production.

I use it in a 5.1 setup with a Rythmik L12 Sub, crossed over at 80Hz.

The power rating is modest on paper, 7x65W all channels driven or 2x110W both channels driven. However, considering I use only five channel, crossover at 80Hz, all channels will never actual work at max continuous power simultaneously, the L12 doing the heavy lifting with bass AND the high sensitivity of the 340SEs, the spl that little critter can generate with both music and movies is quite high.

Going back to your issue, is it present with any of the three amps you have? If yes, another possibility is that the previous owner may have damaged the speakers.

[Hiwayjunkie]

I have only tried it with switching to a Rotel 60 watt amplifier and still using the Kenwood 7002 as the preamp. Still had it, but it only happens with certain music. Gonna try some different combinations to see what happens. Thanks so much for the help!

[curtis]

I have only tried it with switching to a Rotel 60 watt amplifier and still using the Kenwood 7002 as the preamp. Still had it, but it only happens with certain music. Gonna try some different combinations to see what happens. Thanks so much for the help!
What speakers did you have before? Are you sure it wasn't occurring with those speakers and the Ascends are just making it more clear?

[Hiwayjunkie]

Have the Snell Type D's. No, but I shall hook them back up and check it out.

[davef]

Have the Snell Type D's. No, but I shall hook them back up and check it out.

The Snell Type D's have lower efficiency than our 340's so I no longer think what you are hearing is due to clipping. Since you are hearing this with only certain music, I suspect you are simply hearing errors/distortion in the original source material. The 340's will be much more revealing than your Type D's.

Now, since you did buy these used - it is certainly possible that there is an issue with the tweeter, but it is unbelievably rare for a 340SE tweeter to go bad.

Are you fully sure you have the Signature Edition? There should be a "Signature Edition" label on the back. Please confirm.

[Hiwayjunkie]

Yes, just checked again, Dave. There is a label with 340SE. Yes, I can tell they are more revealing for sure. I can understand the vocalist with these 340SE's. It is the highs when they are turned about to about 4. Five being half volume. I adjusted the treble to -2. That seemed to help. I usually listen with tone defeat. I don't notice it as much when I am streaming music as I do with vinyl and cd's.

[davef]

Yes, just checked again, Dave. There is a label with 340SE. Yes, I can tell they are more revealing for sure. I can understand the vocalist with these 340SE's. It is the highs when they are turned about to about 4. Five being half volume. I adjusted the treble to -2. That seemed to help. I usually listen with tone defeat. I don't notice it as much when I am streaming music as I do with vinyl and cd's.

We would be happy to inspect the speakers for you if you so desire, but you would be responsible for all shipping costs. It a tweeter is bad, you would hear it with everything - not just one source. Another option, which might actually costs less than shipping, is to simply order 2 new tweeters from us.

[Hiwayjunkie]

I had switched amplifiers twice and still had it. The only thing that was the same was the preamp of the Kenwood. Had an older Denon AVR receiver that I hadn't used in years. Hooked it up, and it was like a brand new set of speakers! Many of you said, in the beginning, that my integrated was the problem. You were right!! Very happy with the sound now. My problem must be in the Kenwood KA-7002 preamp. Gonna take her to the shop. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Bill

[Hiwayjunkie]

Now, you have me looking at those SE2's! lol

[davef]

I had switched amplifiers twice and still had it. The only thing that was the same was the preamp of the Kenwood. Had an older Denon AVR receiver that I hadn't used in years. Hooked it up, and it was like a brand new set of speakers! Many of you said, in the beginning, that my integrated was the problem. You were right!! Very happy with the sound now. My problem must be in the Kenwood KA-7002 preamp. Gonna take her to the shop. Thanks to everyone for their help!

Bill

Glad you figured it out :)