I sent a query to KEF, asking about their view on SAM with respect to some niggling worries that I had regarding what SAM might do to the speaker design life.
This is the reply (I hope KEF are happy with me sharing this), looks like they are fairly positive......
I'm very pleased to hear that you are enjoying the Blades, and thank you for passing back such positive feedback. I've not yet had the chance to hear the new Devialet amplifier models on the Blade. However, I did have the opportunity to heard the Blades driven with two Devialet D-premiers in monoblock mode and I though it worked rather well. I believe that you are one of our first customers to be using the Devialet SAM system with Blades.
The SAM system has an internal numerical model of the Blades built into the amplifier. The amplifier uses this numerical model to adjust the signal that it outputs to the loudspeakers in order to compensate for low frequency roll off and also low frequency distortion. You're right that this essentially means that you get more low bass output from the Blades because they are being driven harder. Using the same internal numerical model, the SAM system predicts the driver movement and also the power sent to each driver. This means that it is able to ensure that the loudspeaker is always operating in a safe region without damage. In my opinion there is no reason for you to stop using the SAM system.
This is the reply (I hope KEF are happy with me sharing this), looks like they are fairly positive......
I'm very pleased to hear that you are enjoying the Blades, and thank you for passing back such positive feedback. I've not yet had the chance to hear the new Devialet amplifier models on the Blade. However, I did have the opportunity to heard the Blades driven with two Devialet D-premiers in monoblock mode and I though it worked rather well. I believe that you are one of our first customers to be using the Devialet SAM system with Blades.
The SAM system has an internal numerical model of the Blades built into the amplifier. The amplifier uses this numerical model to adjust the signal that it outputs to the loudspeakers in order to compensate for low frequency roll off and also low frequency distortion. You're right that this essentially means that you get more low bass output from the Blades because they are being driven harder. Using the same internal numerical model, the SAM system predicts the driver movement and also the power sent to each driver. This means that it is able to ensure that the loudspeaker is always operating in a safe region without damage. In my opinion there is no reason for you to stop using the SAM system.
