[Sound Battle] Audiolab 6000A vs Rotel A12 / KEF R3

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[Sound Battle] Audiolab 6000A vs Rotel A12 / KEF R3 / integrated amplifier / bookshelf speakers
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[SRS] - • Sound Reference Series
[Amps Demo] - • Amplifier Sound Demo
[Speakers Demo] - • Hi Fi Speakers Sound Demo
[Bluetooth Speakers] - • Bluetooth Speaker
Timecodes
0:00 - intro
0:07 - All the way up / Electronic / by Hadar Sopher
0:48 - Bedroom / Soul & RnB, Pop / by Raquel Castro, The Wildcardz
1:30 - Boost Your Power / Rock / by CustomMelody
2:29 - Chemtrails / Cinematic / by Semo
3:19 - Get Ready / Cinematic, Rock, Pop / by Midnight Noise
4:10 - Higher Love / Electronic, Pop / by Ben Fox
5:25 - Is Leroy On It / Jazz, Acoustic, Retro / by Southside Aces
6:24 - Pull Me Closer / Electronic, Pop, Hip Hop / by WEARETHEGOOD,
7:37 - Punkd / Cinematic, Electronic / by Out of Flux
8:38 - Seasons / Cinematic, Classical / by ANBR
9:48 - Star Night / Acoustic, Rock, Pop / Wonderland
10:39 - Time Traveling / Soul & RnB / Sarah Kang feat. Anthony Lazaro
12:12 - Crash and burn / Death Metal / Kissing Candice
13:37 - Magic Show / Death Metal / Kissing Candice
14:34 - Fields / Acoustic Guitar / Livio Bartolo

[@daddysannie]

I think the Rotel is a better match for the KEF's, but not a better integrated than the audiolab. Warmer speakers would really let the 6000a shine IMHO.

[@shaunyweaver1144]

I have both, well the tribute, love them both . I matched the 6000a to Heco ascada 2 an older 3 way speaker, and it sounds superb made for eachother . Tribute I matched with Wharfedale linton fabulous again . Agree warmer speaker goes well with both . 6000a always steals the show ...

[@elemeno9463]

Great comparison! I prefer the Rotel.

[@HonestSonics]

I own the Audiolab and enjoy it, however in this demo the Rotel has a more inviting sound. The Audiolab seems to push frequencies at you, especially in that upper mid-band, whereas the Rotel is a bit more relaxed. I'm curious what digital filter you had set for the Audiolab since they do alter the sound slightly. In my set up the minimum phase setting gives a slightly richer presentation, more akin to the Rotel.

[@34332]

Interesting comparison. I found the Rotels more smooth sounding, less outlined detail in mid/top-end and perhaps more midbass bleeding into midrange. The 6000a translated exactly what's happening in the chain/amp/source and is, imo, the most neutral and focussed(and that may be percieved as more forward). Let's not forget the R3 is still a relative 'bright' and forward sounding speaker and does sound this way when its slightly elevated mid/top-end isn't flattered, more noticable in close mic recordings. In the end it's all a matter of taste ofcourse.

[@thomasward00]

Rotel FTW....

[@davidcarr2216]

I've said it a few times already that IMHO Audiolabs aren't quite as neutral as they're reputed to be, that doesn't mean to say that Rotels are either, so there you go. To me on the R3s, the 6000A sounds mid/upper mid/treble forward and exagerates leading edges (transients) of percussive instruments. The A12 sounds a little warmer, a little darker, even a bit mid-recessed (when compared to rhe 6000A at least) . I prefer the R3s with the A12.

[@abcd-fs2de]

6000A seems more even with more detailed and fuller mids which I heavilly prefer before more pronounced trebles of the Rotel. In death metal you can hear strumming on the guitar which is a beautiful detail not heard on Rotel. Also vocals are much better.

[@arnonym823]

hey can you please help me? i'm searching for an AVR with a good room correction. I have the Polk R200 and the play in a 20 qm room with difficult audio circumstances. best regards

[@rebel_soul_eldin]

Marantz! Perfect room correction

[@williammiebach1798]

Ive already expressed my opinions on the sound of the amp stages in both these integrateds and how they compare. No more to add here, except the differences are more revealed with the R3s than with the DBR62s

[@basilfawlty107]

Audiolab to grzeczna nastolatka. Rotel to paważna kobieta.

[@nicolaroccovalenti2288]

Audiolab

[@rviloria97]

6000A just slightly better

[@JonizocktSG]

The Rotel has better separation and clearer mid-tones

[@-MarkWinston-]

The A12 softens all the edges of instruments and vocals. Think of it as the sharpness control on CRTs of yesteryear. Some like a sharper picture, some might think the blurrier edges of the picture lends a helping hand in reducing eye fatigue. I also didnt like the splashiness of the A12 in Punkd, there seems to be a lack of control over the higher frequencies. On most tracks, I feel there is something slightly missing from the A12, sounding some what thin or compressed in the mids. In Time Travelling, vocals take a huge step back on the A12, which is not how the original sounds like. On the last 2 metal tracks, too much uuuuummmph and gusto have been taken away by the A12, taking too much bite away that is actually need to convey the angst and anger of the overall track. On Fields, the guitar plucks sound thinner overall than the 6000A. I really feel that there is something missing in the mids/lower treble of the A12, I just cant pinpoint what.

[@34332]

It's strange, with the former A12 demo, I was quite impressed by the Rotels performance. Maybe some synergy missing? However, the R3 should be paired with much better amps and power, imo. Speaking about power... Today was my 'ordeal' with the Crown. Up until relative normal/loudish volumes all OK on the Audiolab, BUT, with the Crown attached (and especially with my dynamic Classical recordings) it's another level, at every level, like entering another dimension. Effortless and dynamic, f'ng quite close to the Coda(!), except 12 times cheaper. I found (and find) it hard to believe, still in shock, lol. Can't wait for the 2502 to arrive.

[@34332]

@@DougMen1 Yes it is, but I have to do some further testing and listening tomorrow. I believe there are some limitations or caveats with its DSP, resolution and distortion, from what I've read, but so far its mindblowing with my 'dynamic' collection. And I'm usually not class D minded too 😄

[@-MarkWinston-]

@@34332 no synergy needed with the Crowns, it will do well with every speaker. Tested it on the 12.2, 12.4 and OG LS50, I think Im in love with the LS50 once again. With that type of bass control and authority, the OG LS50 now sounds balanced and even. Gone is that loose splashy bass, every low note now is tight, full and goes deep without sounding like its reaching the limits. Even on the 12.2, I was shocked with what more power does to the bass. Ive always said the 12.2 had very neutral bass and bass was deep when called for, the bass now is so tight and deep it sounds like a totally different speaker. Have you tried playing around with the sensitivity option? Are you using the single ended input or balanced? What voltage is the pre on the audiolab giving out?

[@34332]

@@-MarkWinston- I kept the sensitivity to 0.775 as recommended for RCA input (no XLR capable gear). Didn't try 1.4 (yet) as it seems to work OK for now. No audible (fan)noise, hiss or distortion, not close and certainly not at my distance to amp and speakers. Not sure, but that's perhaps more common with high sens. speakers (the hiss). I think the Audiolab Pre is about 2-2.3V?, but not totally sure about that. I didn't really bother as it apparently works fine as is. Levels are set at about 60-70% and volume incremental steps are not out of bound. Didn't (dare to) go to insane levels, but it seems quite capable. 😄 Tonal character of the 6000a doesn't change, like you said, at least, not in an obvious way to me. What is obvious is the way (all) bass is presented at loud, soundstage expansion and all in a very relaxed or effortless way. Dynamics are insane on good material. I was a bit worried about harsh or lifeless D amplification, but I have to eat that. Maybe there's less refinement in the mids, but that could be a trick of the mind. I'm now obsessively listening for culprits ofcourse and was also never able to play my old dynamic collections at this level. For example, the timpani's sounds like a thunderandroke now, lol. Still, I have to listen and fiddle around some more to get better judgement, but if this is what only a cheap pro-audio poweramp can do.. 😳

[@-MarkWinston-]

@@34332 the crowns work best with 4v - 5v into them, thats where they will shine. No wonder it works better with my D90SE than the D70S. If you have a dac/pre that can output 4-5v, give that a try. Maybe borrow one from your friend and see how it goes... lol! Tonal character shouldnt change from the 6000a at any volume level, as you are using the pre and dac from there. Objectively, there is no evidence showing that a class d is harsher than any other class, the differences that we hear in classes are mostly from the pre and dac sections. Im not sure about the 1502 but the 2502 made a difference even at very low volume levels. At higher volumes, its not a comparison at all. Lol! I noticed that my DA-9 with 12.2 would start distorting at volume level 45 and above. It wasnt the speaker that was distorting, it was the amp that was clipping. With the crowm, I could get to way higher db levels without audible distortion! Crazy huh? You should hook up the r200 to the crown too, just for fun, I would but I sold mine. Try playing around and let me know what you find out!

[@khawfang12]

เสียงเหมือนกัน😅😅

[@luishernandoduarte7191]

Estoy de acuerdo

[@i1chy]

On my airpods the audiolab soundslike like someone turned on the loudness (not in a good way).