buying new stereo speakers

[majac777]

Hello,
I am desiring to replace my old L&R stereo speakers with some fancy ones--namely Axioms M80 v2. However, I'd be pairing it with an old Harmon Kardon receiver: AVR25II. I predominanly listen to classical, opera, jazz of all types, and 70s-90s rock. Once in a while I'll play a DVD movie with the sound redirected to the AVR25II (and L&R speakers) via the AUX selector switch.

The M80s are rated at 4 ohms 400watts MAX. The AVR25II's manual states that output at 4 ohms is 100wats per stereo channel doesn't say whether it's 100watts RMS or not).

Many thanks for your guidance,
Best Regards,
Majac777

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The 80's are going to want a lot of good clean power so either consider the 60's or plan on buying an ext.amp.

 

[majac777]

The 80's are going to want a lot of good clean power so either consider the 60's or plan on buying an ext.amp.

Thank you for your reply Greg. Being a beginner-type in this field, can you tell me what you mean by an "ext. amp."? I'd be interested to know more about it, as I may heed your suggestion.

Best regards,
Majac777

 

[mazersteven]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplifier

And external amp is an amplifier that connects to your receiver, or pre/pro.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/glossary/

(Pre/Pro: A combination preamp and surround processor.)

Examples

http://www.emotiva.com/amplifiers.html

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/index.html

http://www.rotel.com/products/multichannel-power-amplifiers.htm
http://www.rotel.com/products/stereo-power-amplifiers.htm

http://www.parasound.com/products/mc_amplifiers.php
http://www.parasound.com/products/mono_stereo_amplifiers.php

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/shopdisplayproducts.asp?hid=1&id=14&cat=Power+Amplifiers

http://www.bryston.ca/ampsel.html

http://www.krellonline.com/

http://www.lexicon.com/products/product-category.asp?cat=AMPS

http://www.classeaudio.com/delta/amps-intro.htm

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Steven gave you plenty of info on ext. amps so just realize that a 4ohm speaker like the 80 will want a lot of good, clean power which a AVR alone may struggle to provide. If you get the 80's plan on using an amp. If you get the 60's the AVR will likley be ok on its on.

 

[OttoMatic]

One thing to consider, though, is your usage. Will you be playing loudly, or not?

Getting an external amp is definitely not a bad idea, but you can certainly get by with your existing receiver. If you find that it's running out of steam with the speakers you buy, then go searching for a more power amp.

Good luck!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Good point but I doubt that he wants to get 80's for background music

One thing to consider, though, is your usage. Will you be playing loudly, or not?

Getting an external amp is definitely not a bad idea, but you can certainly get by with your existing receiver. If you find that it's running out of steam with the speakers you buy, then go searching for a more power amp.

Good luck!

 

[majac777]

One thing to consider, though, is your usage. Will you be playing loudly, or not?

Getting an external amp is definitely not a bad idea, but you can certainly get by with your existing receiver. If you find that it's running out of steam with the speakers you buy, then go searching for a more power amp.

Good luck!

Firstly, thank you all for your replies.
I typically do play music medium volume - to moderately loud (at times). My fear is my teenage boys: while I was out of town--they played an x-box 360 game "Halo 2" with the sound redirected to the Harman-Kardon receiver and subsequently my old hand-me-down speakers -- and blew the woofer on the left speaker. Guess it couldn't handle the power required for grenades and heavy weapons blasting.

If I go with the M80s (and possibly and ext. amp.), I'll be having a talk with my boys. I'm assuming that adding an external amp would reduce to risk of them blowing the M80's?

Regards, Majac777

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am pretty certain that they would blow their eardrums with the 80's and an amp.

Firstly, thank you all for your replies.
I typically do play music medium volume - to moderately loud (at times). My fear is my teenage boys: while I was out of town--they played an x-box 360 game "Halo 2" with the sound redirected to the Harman-Kardon receiver and subsequently my old hand-me-down speakers -- and blew the woofer on the left speaker. Guess it couldn't handle the power required for grenades and heavy weapons blasting.

If I go with the M80s (and possibly and ext. amp.), I'll be having a talk with my boys. I'm assuming that adding an external amp would reduce to risk of them blowing the M80's?

Regards, Majac777

 

[rnatalli]

Mazersteven provided a good list of amps. The Emotiva and Outlaw are the least expensive on the list and definitely worth the money.

 

[majac777]

Mazersteven provided a good list of amps. The Emotiva and Outlaw are the least expensive on the list and definitely worth the money.

I visited several of the site that Mazer provided for buying an external amp. It seems there are many types with various features. The Emotive LPA-1 for $499? Do you think that would do the trick? I know very little about using an ext. amp on top of a receiver. Thanks again for your suggestions,

Regards Majac777

 

[rnatalli]

I visited several of the site that Mazer provided for buying an external amp. It seems there are many types with various features. The Emotive LPA-1 for $499? Do you think that would do the trick? I know very little about using an ext. amp on top of a receiver. Thanks again for your

I actually own the LPA-1 and it'll push pretty much anything you hook up to it. I had it pushing Magnepans and I use it to push my Mordaunts both brands are harder speakers than Axioms to drive. It weighs 63 lbs. so you need a shelf that can hold it. It's a 6-7 channel amp though so might be overkill for a 2-channel system.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thats a very good amp. I am going to throw out a different option as it will add more flexibility for the future. Go with the MPS-1; it uses 7 distinct amp modules and you can start with what ever number you want. The chassis is 300 bucks and each 200w module is $199. Start out with two channels at a cost of 698 bucks and in the future, if you want to add more, they are there for the taking.

I visited several of the site that Mazer provided for buying an external amp. It seems there are many types with various features. The Emotive LPA-1 for $499? Do you think that would do the trick? I know very little about using an ext. amp on top of a receiver. Thanks again for your suggestions,

Regards Majac777

 

[majac777]

Great suggestions....Many thanks!
Majac777

 

[alexsound]

Hello,
I am desiring to replace my old L&R stereo speakers with some fancy ones--namely Axioms M80 v2. However, I'd be pairing it with an old Harmon Kardon receiver: AVR25II. I predominanly listen to classical, opera, jazz of all types, and 70s-90s rock. Once in a while I'll play a DVD movie with the sound redirected to the AVR25II (and L&R speakers) via the AUX selector switch.

The M80s are rated at 4 ohms 400watts MAX. The AVR25II's manual states that output at 4 ohms is 100wats per stereo channel doesn't say whether it's 100watts RMS or not).

Many thanks for your guidance,
Best Regards,
Majac777

Your AVR25II may not drive the M80's like you may want. I've seen many excellent suggestions on getting an external amp, however, here's another suggestion that is simpler than adding external power. Harman is discontinuing their higher end receivers and there are 2 you can get that would power the M80's quite well, and keep the system simple. The AVR645 and AVR745 are on sale from J&R Music World for 599.95 and 999.95 respectively. Both have very robust amplifier sections (The 745 more so). Just a thought.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Not a bad option but there is nothing about a ext amp that complicates anything; they have one or two buttons that you never have to even push

Your AVR25II may not drive the M80's like you may want. I've seen many excellent suggestions on getting an external amp, however, here's another suggestion that is simpler than adding external power. Harman is discontinuing their higher end receivers and there are 2 you can get that would power the M80's quite well, and keep the system simple. The AVR645 and AVR745 are on sale from J&R Music World for 599.95 and 999.95 respectively. Both have very robust amplifier sections (The 745 more so). Just a thought.

 

[rnatalli]

I'd probably go with the amp myself. A good amp will last years and will probably have two or three preamps/receivers as features change hooked up to it over that time. However, if you need more modern features, a newer receiver makes perfect sense from a dollar standpoint.

 

[alexsound]

Not a bad option but there is nothing about a ext amp that complicates anything; they have one or two buttons that you never have to even push

You are correct. It really wouldn't complicate the setup per-se, it just would add another relatively large component to the mix. He sounds more like a minimalist type of person, so I figured replace the old box with a new and better box.....

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What's one 125lb amp going to hurt

You are correct. It really wouldn't complicate the setup per-se, it just would add another relatively large component to the mix. He sounds more like a minimalist type of person, so I figured replace the old box with a new and better box.....

 

[alexsound]

What's one 125lb amp going to hurt

LOL !! What can I say to that ?