Here's my case. What should I Upgrade??

[Syed Nizamudeen]

Hi,

I'm currently using a pair of Paradigm Monitor 9 S7, Monitor Center 3 and Monitor Surround 1s hooked up with the Marantz SR5009 receiver. For your information, My bedroom cum listening room size is 17' (L) x 15' (W) x 10' (H). Its a closed listening environment.

My 9s are crossed over at 40Hz and center 3s are at 60 Hz and surrounds are at 80Hz. I'm using dual SVS PB-1000 subwoofers sandwiched between the 9s. Using Oppo BDP-103 as transport.

I love the Monitor 9s tonality, descent imaging and soundstage when the volume level is low to medium(Like -38db to - 24db). That's where I usually listen to music. I may go down to (-15 to - 10db) while watching movies. Speakers are calibrated using AVR's audyssey MultiEQXT and I usually turn off Auddysey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume. (turning off EQ makes the mid range more detailed and the bass to be just right).

My problem here is when I listen to very wide dynamic range material like Film scores or orchestral music, I had to push the volume louder to get more immersed.

The volume in turn gets enough louder at - 15 dB or so. But, the 9's doesn't feel warm or sound well rounded or cleaner as it sounds at medium or low levels. I also feel the quiter scenes in the movies are more quiter than it should be. (Opening scene in the movie 'A Quiet Place')

So, adding a power amp like the Marantz MM7025 or Emotiva XPA-2 to drive my 9's help me achieve what I'm looking for or should I upgrade my avr/processor??

Kindly guide me in the right direction.

 

[2channel lover]

Hi,

I'm currently using a pair of Paradigm Monitor 9 S7, Monitor Center 3 and Monitor Surround 1s hooked up with the Marantz SR5009 receiver. For your information, My bedroom cum listening room size is 17' (L) x 15' (W) x 10' (H). Its a closed listening environment.

My 9s are crossed over at 40Hz and center 3s are at 60 Hz and surrounds are at 80Hz. I'm using dual SVS PB-1000 subwoofers sandwiched between the 9s. Using Oppo BDP-103 as transport.

I love the Monitor 9s tonality, descent imaging and soundstage when the volume level is low to medium(Like -38db to - 24db). That's where I usually listen to music. I may go down to (-15 to - 10db) while watching movies. Speakers are calibrated using AVR's audyssey MultiEQXT and I usually turn off Auddysey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume. (turning off EQ makes the mid range more detailed and the bass to be just right).

My problem here is when I listen to very wide dynamic range material like Film scores or orchestral music, I had to push the volume louder to get more immersed.

The volume in turn gets enough louder at - 15 dB or so. But, the 9's doesn't feel warm or sound well rounded or cleaner as it sounds at medium or low levels. I also feel the quiter scenes in the movies are more quiter than it should be. (Opening scene in the movie 'A Quiet Place')

So, adding a power amp like the Marantz MM7025 or Emotiva XPA-2 to drive my 9's help me achieve what I'm looking for or should I upgrade my avr/processor??

Kindly guide me in the right direction.

First...Idk what those volume increments equate to in terms of SPL level....I have a little handy spl meter...I'm 12' from the speakers and 80db spl at the primary listening position is pretty loud...but some content the pre/pro may show -8db, others can reach that spl at -14db.

But, after reading thru it sound like at higher volume you're not getting the SQ that you are at lower volume levels.

My suggestion...upgrade the Monitor 9s....in your space and the distance you sit from the speakers probably have them at their limit when you crank it to the volume that caused you to post this.

A more powerful amp is not going to improve the SQ very much...but if you double the power of your current AVR the music will be a little louder, maybe a little more punch in the bass. The sonic personality (warm, bright, etc) of the speaker is not going to improve a great deal.

If you are fond of Paradigm...maybe look at the 11. Or go outside of that brand.

I'm a power head...overkill is not a bad thing imo. But...to get the most impact on the money spent, it's in the speakers.

 

[Syed Nizamudeen]

First...Idk what those volume increments equate to in terms of SPL level....I have a little handy spl meter...I'm 12' from the speakers and 80db spl at the primary listening position is pretty loud...but some content the pre/pro may show -8db, others can reach that spl at -14db.

But, after reading thru it sound like at higher volume you're not getting the SQ that you are at lower volume levels.

My suggestion...upgrade the Monitor 9s....in your space and the distance you sit from the speakers probably have them at their limit when you crank it to the volume that caused you to post this.

A more powerful amp is not going to improve the SQ very much...but if you double the power of your current AVR the music will be a little louder, maybe a little more punch in the bass. The sonic personality (warm, bright, etc) of the speaker is not going to improve a great deal.

If you are fond of Paradigm...maybe look at the 11. Or go outside of that brand.

I'm a power head...overkill is not a bad thing imo. But...to get the most impact on the money spent, it's in the speakers.

Thanks for your valuable insight. I loved the 11s more than the 9s. But, my dealer warned that my SR 5009 won't have enough juice to run the 11s.

 

[2channel lover]

Thanks for your valuable insight. I loved the 11s more than the 9s. But, my dealer warned that my SR 5009 won't have enough juice to run the 11s.

Based on the sensitivity rating of the 11 v7, I might call his bluff on that. But at the same time...as a long term investment, it's not a bad idea to augment the 5009 if this spl level is a norm.

 

[Kvn_Walker]

Are you switching it to 2.1 channel mode for music listening? does the receiver have separate EQ and crossover settings for each input or surround mode?

 

[Syed Nizamudeen]

Are you switching it to 2.1 channel mode for music listening? does the receiver have separate EQ and crossover settings for each input or surround mode?

Yes. I'm switching to stereo mode while listening to music. I also use two subwoofers to listen to music and movies. Bass is all adequate and I'm very much content for both movies and music. I can adjust the crossover setting manually at any time. I can use the EQ if I turn the Audyssey MultEQXT set to off.

 

[Syed Nizamudeen]

But, Will the 10 watt jump in Marantz SR7012 improvise the 2ch listening experience??

 

[2channel lover]

But, Will the 10 watt jump in Marantz SR7012 improvise the 2ch listening experience??

imo...no.

But something to play around with...maybe try cutting the 9s off at 60hz instead of 40 and see if that makes much difference at the volume.

 

[PENG]

Yes. I'm switching to stereo mode while listening to music. I also use two subwoofers to listen to music and movies. Bass is all adequate and I'm very much content for both movies and music. I can adjust the crossover setting manually at any time. I can use the EQ if I turn the Audyssey MultEQXT set to off.

I know Denon/Marantz would set your monitor 9 or 11 to 40 Hz because they do go that low in your room, but I have plotted too many graphs to know typically 80 Hz will give you much smoother bass response from around 20 Hz and up. You may, or may not as it depends on your room to a large extent, feel it sounds thinner as the response gets more accurate that is flatter and smoother. That's because with 40 Hz XO, you may just happen to have some major bass bumps that got leveled off with the higher XO. It is worth a try, and I can almost guarantee if you like smoother and tighter bass instead of the exaggerated bass then you will enjoy the music more. Also, do avoid dynamic volume if you can, but do turn on DEQ because it will compensate the perceived loss of bass at volume below 0 in a progressive manner. With it off, if you feel the bass is good, it is really due to the bass bumps created by the interaction between the Monitor 9, PB1000s and your room.

If you don't listen loud, indicated by your volume being at -38 to -10, an external amp will do nothing for you. Regarding the monitor 11, I did check the specs, and would say your dealer either don't know much about the power requirement as it relates to speaker specs, room dimensions, seating distance etc., or he/she would like you to spend money on an amp. Power not used is not going to make any difference! If you SR5009 has been calibrated properly, it should give you cinema loud level at your seat at volume 0, and still have at least 3 dB of headroom, and that's just with 1 speaker!!

If you do listen at or near volume 0, then an amp should help but then the 7025 is not worth it as it may get you 1 to 1.5 dB spl at the most.

You will be much better off spending $899 on a Denon AVR-X4400H, or $599 on a Denon AVR-X3400H, either one has a much better DAC then the SR5009 and most importantly, Audyssey XT32 Sub EQ HT that can dial in your speakers and two subwoofers much more accurately. Those are fantastic deals right now because the newer models are out. You can also go with a SR6012 for about the same price as the X4400H but the X4400H is a better deal as it is basically a SR7012, without the proprietary HDAM (with no audible benefits in my experience) modules and the useless 7.1 analog inputs.

 

[everettT]

imo...no.

But something to play around with...maybe try cutting the 9s off at 60hz instead of 40 and see if that makes much difference at the volume.

40hz is way to low for that speaker the f3 is 46hz, which is giving you suckout. With 2 subs go as high as 100 to start then back off if needed.

 

[Syed Nizamudeen]

I'm running on 80Hz now and post my experiences after a brief listening.

 

[2channel lover]

I'm running on 80Hz now and post my experiences after a brief listening.

Yep play around with it...I started out with 80 across the front, and that works pretty well...I really like the mid bass is the salks so I changed it to 60 for the L&R and have settled there....80hz sounded better than 40 for most music.

That could help, but I still think the ultimate remedy is a speaker upgrade vs an amp upgrade.

 

[Pedro Alvarado]

your question is , what should i upgrade. well before you upgrade anything i would tinker as much as possible.

it sucks to upgrade, what should i get, what do i do with the old stuff.

i first skimmed through the manual and i was hoping to find something like dolby volume to fix your lower sounding scenes but all i saw was the m-dax setting.

my next thought was that i would try different sound modes e.g., dolby pro logic ii and switch m-dax of/on.

another easy option is to reposition the speakers and run audessey again or not run it at all and set it yourself.

lastly, source material is just as vast as the equipment. look through the settings of your source equipment, to pcm or not to pcm.

oh and you will definitely be rotating the volume knob if you switch from il niño to brahms.

back to your question, what should you upgrade. i don't think you need to upgrade anything. there's plenty of settings to adjust and get the right sound you want from your setup.

 

[2channel lover]

your question is , what should i upgrade. well before you upgrade anything i would tinker as much as possible.

it sucks to upgrade, what should i get, what do i do with the old stuff.

i first skimmed through the manual and i was hoping to find something like dolby volume to fix your lower sounding scenes but all i saw was the m-dax setting.

my next thought was that i would try different sound modes e.g., dolby pro logic ii and switch m-dax of/on.

another easy option is to reposition the speakers and run audessey again or not run it at all and set it yourself.

lastly, source material is just as vast as the equipment. look through the settings of your source equipment, to pcm or not to pcm.

oh and you will definitely be rotating the volume knob if you switch from il niño to brahms.

back to your question, what should you upgrade. i don't think you need to upgrade anything. there's plenty of settings to adjust and get the right sound you want from your setup.

Good practical advice.

But I disagree with this point..."it sucks to upgrade, what should i get, what do i do with the old stuff."

lol...I just went through a complete audio upgrade...some 20 yrs in the making and while the industry had changed considerably it was a fun and exciting time for me. Having resources like AH didn't exist to my knowledge back in the early 90s when I built the previous system. Room EQ has improved a lot.

I do agree when you're going to upgrade it's wise to go slow and figure out how you want this new system to interact with you day in, day out. I also say don't be afraid to piece meal it.