So, given a few somewhat limited operating conditions, are there any real advantages to setting up a 70v system over using a small Class D amplifier (like a Topping 100 watt/channel) with an impedance matching circuit (like a rotary volume knob)? Here are some system requirements and specs:
- background music only in a 6000 sq ft office/warehouse (about 75x75 with a slanted open ceiling from 18-24 feet)
- no paging needed, just music
- good frequency response
- Wire runs will be less than 100 feet to the furthest speaker
- enclosure type is anything expect for in-ceiling as there is no acoustic ceiling, just insulation
- hoping for decent, some-what balanced coverage. But it doesn't have to be 100%.
- no need for expandability (number of speakers will be fixed)
I have some ideas as to what I'd like to build, but thought I'd go cast a net out and see what comes back. You know, make sure I'm not completely bonkers
. With the relatively small number of speakers we are thinking of using (less than 10), I think I'm more inclined to just wire them up series/parallel to get the right load on the amplifier than set up a 70V system. Or use an impedance matching switch (like what would be used for a volume control in separate zone of a 70V system) to match the impedance to the amp. The 70V is definitely more flexible since I could expand it without needing to add amps, as well as the fact that if 1 speaker goes down it doesn't affect the rest of the system. But I don't think the speakers will see more than 4 watts each, with maybe 10 watts each if they get crazy. That means that if I keep a Topping amp at <80% power as you would with a 70V system, each speaker would see the right amount of power and could get louder than needed. It's also a lot easier to hide a small amp like that than it is to find a rack to mount most 70V amps. And I really like the class D amps I've played with, so they are quite appealing to me for this project.
I've even thought about using something as small as NS3's with a small tweeter (maybe 2 or 4 drivers per speaker) to help with directionality, beaming, and keeping a low profile. But I'm thinking a single 5 1/4" driver would be well suited for each speaker (also with a tweeter). An appropriate amount of baffle step, combined with low power levels, would hopefully keep xmax in check while providing sound down below 100 hz. Each speaker coverage would be about 25x25' (with a large ceiling) which is about equivalent to a mid to large family room. I'm not aiming for 30 hz that will pound your chest, so I don't think I'm asking too much of these smallish drivers. But maybe I am. Thoughts?
- background music only in a 6000 sq ft office/warehouse (about 75x75 with a slanted open ceiling from 18-24 feet)
- no paging needed, just music
- good frequency response
- Wire runs will be less than 100 feet to the furthest speaker
- enclosure type is anything expect for in-ceiling as there is no acoustic ceiling, just insulation
- hoping for decent, some-what balanced coverage. But it doesn't have to be 100%.
- no need for expandability (number of speakers will be fixed)
I have some ideas as to what I'd like to build, but thought I'd go cast a net out and see what comes back. You know, make sure I'm not completely bonkers

I've even thought about using something as small as NS3's with a small tweeter (maybe 2 or 4 drivers per speaker) to help with directionality, beaming, and keeping a low profile. But I'm thinking a single 5 1/4" driver would be well suited for each speaker (also with a tweeter). An appropriate amount of baffle step, combined with low power levels, would hopefully keep xmax in check while providing sound down below 100 hz. Each speaker coverage would be about 25x25' (with a large ceiling) which is about equivalent to a mid to large family room. I'm not aiming for 30 hz that will pound your chest, so I don't think I'm asking too much of these smallish drivers. But maybe I am. Thoughts?
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