The Cyrus 6 is an integrated amplifier that has taken plenty of sonic characteristics from its bigger sibling the Cyrus 8 and is more affordable as well. It is not an easy feat but Cyrus Audio has managed to work it out wonderfully and thus Cyrus 6 is made. Being the smaller sibling, this also means it has lesser power output and we will need to find the right speakers to partner with the Cyrus 6 amplifier.
Having more knowledge about the sonic characteristics of the Cyrus 6 will help us find compatible speakers which we can match and make them sound their best. Knowing the integrated amplifier limitations such as the lower power output when compared to Cyrus 8 will also help us in this endeavor. We will also be focusing on gathering a list of the best speakers to pair with the Cyrus 6 and will be sharing it with you later on.
Table of Contents
Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Cyrus 6
The Cyrus 6 is a compact integrated amplifier with a small footprint which makes it an ideal amp for your desktop stereo system. Since it doesn’t take up much space, it will also be a fitting amplifier for listening rooms with space constraints. The sleek and modern aesthetics will match nicely with most modern speakers so we need not worry about matching visually. As mentioned earlier, the power output of Cyrus 6 is not as high as that of Cyrus 8. It is rated at 40 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (both channels driven) and up to 50 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms (both channels driven). This is quite decent power output for such a small amplifier, even so, the Cyrus 6 will be more suited to drive bookshelf speakers that are not difficult to drive.
The high current output stage (30A current) does provide more headroom and makes the Cyrus 6 a bit more powerful than expected. There is also a headphone output with its own power amplifier which is great for headphone users and listeners who want some personal music listening experience without disturbing others in the room. The provided remote control is neat and other than the connections, there aren’t many features to really talk about.
The stereo imaging and separation are amazing, able to project nicely defined musicians on a wide soundstage with precision. The scale of the sound is bigger than expected which is quite brilliant coming from a decently powered Cyrus 6. This integrated amplifier also possesses exceptional timing and has an articulated music presentation that simply engages and hooks us right into the music. The confidence in the way it handles the music is also partly due to how agile the Cyrus 6 is. The bass reproduction is tight but can be a bit light at times. Still, this Cyrus amp can be a punchy performer and with its snappy attacks, it is quite difficult not to be entertained by the Cyrus 6.
The lively music delivery also comes with an astonishing level of clarity where you clearly hear the musical nuances. The overall sound reproduction can be too bright with some music and may not be suitable for listeners who are used to warm-sounding stereo systems. The Cyrus 6 has impeccable pacing and it is fast, this also makes the sound quality a tad lean. The midrange reproduction is expressive and very detailed, allowing you to hear the intricacies of the music instruments, not to mention, the vocals sounded natural and accurate.
We will need to pair the Cyrus 6 with speakers carefully as not to make the sound quality overly bright or harsh as this might cause listener fatigue and shorten the music listening session. All in all, the Cyrus 6 is an entertaining performer and it is enjoyable to listen to. We have gathered enough data and information about this fantastic integrated amplifier, with this knowledge, we were able to list out the best speakers which you can go for and use them to match with your Cyrus 6 amplifier.
Cyrus 6 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 40 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms (both channels driven), 50 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms (both channels driven)
- Burst Power: 173 Watts (IHF, one channel driven into 1 Ohm)
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.003%
- Inputs: 5 Line inputs, 2 Tape inputs
- Outputs: Preamp output, Headphone output, Tape output
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 73mm x 215mm x 360mm (2.9″ x 8.5″ x 14.2″)
- Weight: 3.7kg (8.2lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Cyrus 6
The Wharfedale Diamond 220 is one of the best speakers to pair with your Cyrus 6. The Diamond 220 is a pair of award-winning bookshelf speakers and has the sonic characteristics to make it a suitable match with the Cyrus 6 integrated amplifier. It has sweet hights and smooth music delivery with a touch of warmth which will help ease the brightness of the amp. For a compact stand-mounter at this price point, the bass performance is authoritative and is capable of delivering deep bass frequencies with prominence. The Wharfedale Diamond 220 also doesn’t sacrifice music details for its pleasing sound quality and will be ideal for desktop speakers.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 220 Bookshelf Speaker (Black)
The Q Acoustics 3010i is an amazing pair of entry-level bookshelf speakers which will fit most listeners’ budgets and without compromising the sound quality. The Cyrus 6 has sufficient power to drive the 3010i efficiently and the reserves to handle music peaks. This is a well-balanced stand-mounter and doesn’t sound harsh even when been pushed to high volume. The speaker has refinement and is still able to provide an energetic music performance which the Cyrus 6 will further complement this talent. It will be an entertaining pairing and the bass performance of the Q Acoustics 3010i will help provide a slightly fuller sound.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3010i Bookshelf Speaker (Arctic White)
The KEF Q150 not only looks good but also sounds good. It is a pair of high-performance bookshelf speakers with exceptional sound quality and it is compact in size as well. The Q150s will match nicely with the Cyrus 6 in both visual and sonic characteristics. There is a nice level of clarity throughout the frequency range, the low-end reproduction of the stand-mounters is tight and agile. The overall sound reproduction of the KEF Q150 is neutral with a hint of brightness and the Cyrus 6 is able to provide a more energetic music performance. You might want to listen to them first as their matchup may be a bit too bright for some listeners.
More Details at Amazon – KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speakers (Black)
The warm and easy on the ears sound quality produced by the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 enables you to listen to these bookshelf speakers closely in a nearfield listening environment without worrying about listeners’ fatigue. This makes the Diamond 12.1 an excellent speaker choice for a desktop setup and will match well with the Cyrus 6. The award-winning Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 speakers are also capable of producing a detailed and rhythmic music presentation. The fast and agile character of the Cyrus 6 does help to quicken the pacing a little which makes the overall music delivery sound a bit more energetic.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf Speaker
The Q Acoustics Concept 20 is another highly acclaimed bookshelf speaker that will be more than worthy to partner with the Cyrus 6 integrated amplifier. Concept 20 loudspeakers have earned many awards over the years and are still being sought after to this day. It is a pair of musically refined bookshelf speakers with insights and can dig out plenty of musical nuances. The detailed music presentation is also accompanied by solid bass performance and can reach deep into the bass extension. The Q Acoustics Concept 20 does not sound harsh and will be a great match with the Cyrus 6 amp.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics Concept 20 Bookshelf Speaker (Black)
If you prefer a more enthusiastic performance and don’t mind bright-sounding characteristics, you might want to check out the Dali Spektor 2. It is an award-winning pair of bookshelf speakers that share similarities with the Cyrus 6 amplifier. The Dali Spektor 2 is fast and articulate, has that eagerness to entertain the listeners. Their dynamic handling makes them even more enjoyable to listen to and the Spektor 2 are certainly impressive speakers at this price point. Another brand that you might be interested in will be Monitor Audio. As mentioned earlier, they can sound very bright when paired with the Cyrus 6, please hear them out first before making a decision.
More Details at Amazon – DALI SPEKTOR 2 Bookshelf Speakers (Black Ash)
To Sum It Up
They may be some of the best loudspeakers on the market and a worthy match for your Cyrus 6 integrated amp but it is still highly recommended to arrange an audition with these speakers. You should arrange the audition in your own listening room, listen to their sonic performance using your favorite music/song, and see if you like the sound quality you are hearing. Feel free to listen to as many of your favorite tunes as possible so as to be sure that you really like the sound of the potential speakers.
