Cheaper with SAM vs. more expensive without?

[wiresandmore]

Hi all

I'm in the market for new speakers - my current set are pretty rare and in any case I need to get a pair in darker wood for our new house.

So, here's an interesting dilemma - is the impact of SAM so strong that it might make (say) a €3K speaker outperform a €4K+ speaker which isn't supported yet? Since I might have to listen to the speakers at a dealer which doesn't do Devialet, it's an interesting challenge - I could of course bring my D200 but I would prefer not to do that.

[Jwg1749]

It’s an interesting dilemma.
Do you have a Devialet dealer nearby, and if so does that dealer stock any SAM-ready speakers? I ask because it would give you an opportunity to listen to a couple of speakers with (and without) SAM). Even if you don’t intend to buy those speakers, it would give you a feel for the difference SAM can make.
My feeling, based on reports I’ve read here and elsewhere and also on a short demo I had of the B&W 805Ds with SAM, is that SAM can make a very significant difference, but that the SAM difference varies quite a bit from model to model.
Also I’m going to speculate that the SAM effect will be greater for small and medium-sized speakers. Others may see things differently.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Matt

[Rufus McDufus]

I've read several opinions of people saying it has a greater effect with smaller speakers, especially with bass extension. I really hope one day my speakers get it.

[wiresandmore]

Thanks for the replies guys - yes, it is an interesting issue, and I've been wondering should I go for cheaper speakers to try to fund the offer on the 2nd amp which seems to be on in the UK and therefore I assume in the Eurozone too.

Also, I feel I *have* to focus on the SAM-ready (or likely SAM-ready) range which does constrain my options a bit. I would expect they will do all B&W, Sonus Faber, Magico, the main French brands [Focal etc], along with some exotica.

[GuillaumeB]

Also, I feel I *have* to focus on the SAM-ready (or likely SAM-ready) range which does constrain my options a bit. I would expect they will do all B&W, Sonus Faber, Magico, the main French brands [Focal etc], along with some exotica.

Can you give us an idea of what speakers you are thinking of?

I've been told that around 100 speakers will be SAMified by the end of the year.

Guillaume

[wiresandmore]

PMC Twenty 24; Spendor D7; Proac D28/D30; Kudos Super 20. Need to be available in walnut finish, floorstanding, position close-ish to wall, price circa €3-5K (would look at ex-dem). SF Veneres might be an option too.

[GuillaumeB]

PMC Twenty 24; Spendor D7; Proac D28/D30; Kudos Super 20. Need to be available in walnut finish, floorstanding, position close-ish to wall, price circa €3-5K (would look at ex-dem). SF Veneres might be an option too.

Yes I'd definitely give the Sonus Faber speakers a try. Ideally a home demo if you can.

Guillaume

[Bryan1778]

http://youtu.be/6TVLTrCz6eA

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Vs no SAM
http://youtu.be/mjugsETvYQs

[BjornWiman]

Hello all,

I would suggest that you make the effort and bring your 200 to the listening - After all, few other amplifiers have the qualities of the 200 :-D
This will give you an opportunity to do a first selection on what speakers could be interesting to review in your home. Personally I would start reviewing SAM-ready speakers first together with your 200 and then compare your impressions with the impression you get with non SAM-ready speakers.

Good luck!

[PhilP]

One would have expected (well, hoped anyway) that more-expensive speakers would be better designed/engineered than cheaper models and thus benefit less from SAM. However, I understand that SAM improves performance in areas that are difficult to address through traditional speaker design so maybe that is not the case?

My Wilson Benesch speakers have isobaric drivers and are not SAM-ready. Does anyone have experience of the impact of SAM on speakers with similar drivers?