The Pass Labs INT 60 is a high-end integrated amplifier that provides its users with incredibly high sonic performance and the illustrious purity of Class A power for the first 30 Watts which even the discerning audiophiles would want to get their hands on. This premium integrated amplifier will require high-quality matching speakers in order for them to sound their very best and these are what we will be looking for.
To match the right speakers to the Pass Labs INT 60 will require us to find out more about the integrated amp sonic characteristics and prowess. With enough data and information, we will be able to find the right speakers for the job. A list of the best speakers will be prepared and these will be the ones you can choose to pair with your Pass Labs INT 60. We will be sharing the speaker list later on after we have learned more about the INT 60 amplifier.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Pass Labs INT 60
The Pass Labs INT 60 has a striking appearance with its iconic blue meter located at the center of the amplifier. Just by the looks of it, the INT 60 already displays power and confidence. You can place it anywhere in your listening room and the integrated amplifier will surely catch peoples’ attention. We strongly suggest placing the Pass Labs INT 60 at a well-ventilated area on a large rack with plenty of airflows to cool it down. As mentioned earlier, the first 30 Watts stays biased in Class A. The rated power output is 60 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms and doubles to 120 Watts into 4 Ohms which is great. It is really heavy and we will recommend having at least 2 persons to carry it around.
At this price point, you may be expecting some built-in features such as a D/A converter or MM/MC phono stage but there are none. You will need to get a dedicated component to resolve this which can be a blessing in disguise as you can match the various audio components to fine-tune the sound quality to your liking. There are preamp outputs for you to connect to power amplifiers and/or subwoofers. Integrating an active subwoofer into the mix would be a good idea if you want deeper bass reproductions and higher bass outputs. A high-quality sealed subwoofer will be an ideal choice due to its musicality, accuracy, and agility.
The Pass Labs INT 60 is capable of delivering a lifelike music performance where it will immediately capture your senses right at the moment the music starts playing. There is a sense of realism as the musicians perform vividly in the listening room. The authenticity of the musical instruments, the airiness, and the decays, just sound so realistic and beautiful. Vocal reproductions sounded natural and it is as if the singers are right in front of you. You can hear every subtle nuance which makes it so engaging as well. The voices are highly distinct and accurate where you can easily tell apart the singers even when the music gets really busy.
There are plenty of music details been dug out and delivered in spades, giving us a rich music presentation. The stereo imaging is superb, and the Pass Labs INT 60 has amazing control over the space, enabling the integrated amplifier to give us a 3-dimensional sonic performance. It has a silky smooth music delivery and no matter how you crank up the volume, the INT 60 doesn’t sound harsh in the slightest. The Pass Labs INT 60 overall bass performance is as expected, taut and rich, not to mention, the texture and accuracy of the low frequencies are exceptional as well.
It is neutral with a hint of warmth and you can listen to the Pass Labs INT 60 for hours without worrying about listeners’ fatigue. The low-end punch is impactful and clean which makes it exciting and satisfying. This amplifier will tone down when it needs to, a well-balanced overall sound reproduction. When it comes to timbre and tonality, the Pass Labs INT 60 has amazing accuracy. The soundstage it can project is large and spacious with ample height. We have enough data to prepare a list of the best speakers to match with the Pass Labs INT 60 and you can take a look at them below.
Pass Labs INT 60 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 60 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms, 120 Watts per channel into 4 Ohms, first 30 Watts biased in Class A and above that will be Class AB
- Frequency Response: -6 dB @ 80kHz
- Inputs: 2 RCA inputs, 2 XLR inputs
- Outputs: Preamp Outputs
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 480mm x 195mm x 540mm | 19″ x 7.6″ x 21.2″
- Weight: 42.2kg (93lbs)
Best Speakers to match with Pass Labs INT 60
The Klipsch LA Scala AL5 is one of the best speakers to match with your Pass Labs INT 60 integrated amplifier. This is a pair of extremely efficient speakers with very high sensitivity, enabling them to make full use of the Class A sonic purity of the INT 60 amplifier. The Klipsch LA Scala AL5 are powerful loudspeakers that can easily fill your listening room with music presence and sonic energy. They have impeccable speed and this makes them very agile loudspeakers which belies their size. The LA Scala AL5 speakers also have an astonishing level of clarity, delivering a clean and lively music presentation that will engage your senses.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch La Scala AL5 Black Satin Ash
The Omega Speaker Systems Super Alnico High Output XRS will be one of the best speakers to go with the Pass Labs INT 60. This is a pair of very efficient floor-standing speakers where just a mere 2 Watts will be enough to drive them. With such high speaker sensitivity, the Super Alnico High Output XRS can easily be driven by the Pass Labs INT 60 and tap on the first 30 Watts of Class A power. These are also fast and agile loudspeakers, with incredible musicality and energy to provide us with a vivid music performance. At this price point, there is nothing much to nitpick about the Omega Speaker Systems floor-standers.
The JBL Synthesis S4700 is another remarkable pair of high-end floor-standing speakers which will be more than a worthy speaker partner for the Pass Labs INT 60 amplifier. It has a high speaker sensitivity of 94dB and the INT 60 is powerful enough to drive the S4700s efficiently. These JBL high-end loudspeakers can project a large and vast soundstage with a wide dynamic range. When the music starts playing, it can be so entertaining and engaging without compromising the overall accuracy. The JBL Synthesis S4700 is capable of being energetic when the music calls for and tone down when it needs to, and the transients are seamless.
The Klipsch Cornwall IV has a very high speaker sensitivity at 102dB and with a nominal impedance of just 8 Ohms, you can be sure these loudspeakers will make full use of the Pass Labs INT 60 power. These are amazing speakers for audiophiles who want very high-resolution music presentations with amazing agility and clarity. Able to retrieve tons of music details and produce them clearly without you needing to strain your ears. The Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers are great for live performance playbacks as well and when match with the sonic prowess of the Pass Labs INT 60, we will be in for a treat.
More Details at Amazon – Klipsch Cornwall IV in Walnut
For stand-mounters, the Omega Speaker Systems’ Super Alnico High Output Monitors will be an exceptional choice for your Pass Labs INT 60. It is a highly efficient loudspeaker with a speaker sensitivity of 97dB and requires as little as 2 Watts to start singing. For a flagship monitor, they are sanely priced but without compromising the sound quality and build. The Super Alnico High Output Monitor has an extraordinary level of transparency and has impeccable agility too. It has tight bass performance and you can connect an active subwoofer to the Pass Labs INT 60 for deeper bass reproduction.
The KEF Reference 3 looks absolutely stunning, and not only it looks good but sounds good as well. Reference 3 is one of the higher-end KEF floor-stander models and will match well with the Pass Labs INT 60. The overall sound reproduction of the KEF Reference 3 is very neutral and possesses a high level of accuracy. It is capable of delivering a faithful music presentation without sounding clinical and the midrange reproductions of the speakers are world-class which will complement the Pass Labs INT 60 integrated amplifier really well. The overall bass performance is surprisingly tight and fast which is really impressive for a floor-standing speaker.
More Details at Amazon – KEF Reference 3 – High Gloss Piano Black
To Sum It Up
Most of the speakers listed here are very efficient and will allow them to tap onto the Class A power of the Pass Labs INT 40. The INT 40 amplifier is powerful enough to drive loudspeakers that have lower speaker sensitivity so you can feel free to use this list as a reference when searching for other brands/models. Do audition the shortlisted speakers, as you can tell if you like the sound quality after hearing them. It will be better if the speaker auditions are held in your own listening room as this will give you a more accurate result.
