2.1 Setup --> 2.1 receiver with low pass filter vs 5.1 with crossover

G

gruntermen

Audiophyte
I need a new receiver for the 2.1 system in my bedroom. I am currently using a set of paradigm bookshelf speakers and a smaller paradigm sub. I would like a receiver with a HDMI switching, a phono input and the ability to play high res audio off my network. I was originally considering a 2.1 channel receiver such as the Marantz NR1200 or Denon DRA-800H. I finally decided to go with the Marantz NR1200 since it has pre-amp out for the main zone. Before buying I downloaded the owners manual and saw that the 2 ch Marantz has low pass filter but it does not have a crossover. My understanding is that means all of the low frequencies are going to be directed both to my bookshelf speakers and the sub. I started wondering if it would be worth spending more for one of the Marantz multichannel receivers that have a built in crossover so that sub could handle all of the low frequencies and my bookshelf speakers could handle everything. If I went the multi-channel receiver I assume I would just go into the settings, disable the surround and center speakers and set all my digital sources to output 2 channel audio.

  1. Is it worth paying more for the multi-channel receiver? What sort of a sound quality difference am I looking at using a crossover vs a low pass filter?
  2. Will the crossover on the multi-channel receiver also work with analog sources or would it only work on digital sources. I could not find anything in the manual that suggested the analog sources would not work but I thought I would ask anyway. I had assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that all of the audio processing occurred in the digital realm and did not see any reference to the receiver having an analog to digital converter.

Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
Eppie

Eppie

Audioholic Ninja
Surprised that the NR1200 is only a low pass filter for the sub but judging from the manual it looks like you're correct. In a bedroom setting I would not expect the difference to be that pronounced though. You didn't mention the model but Paradigm bookshelves would typically go down to 70Hz or 60Hz. I know my Studio 20v5 go down to 54Hz. If the sub was crossed above that frequency you would get double bass in that range (for example from 60Hz to 80Hz if the sub is crossed at 80). Some people might actually like a little more pronounced bass below 100Hz, but if it's too pronounced, you can dial down the crossover point on the sub until it overlaps with the drop off point of the speakers to flatten the response.

Getting an AVR with bass management would give you a couple things. One obviously is more flexibility as to where the subs and speakers are crossed over. The other might be a little more dynamic range and less distortion from the speakers by filtering out the low bass, but that is more typical for high volumes. If you like it loud and are very particular in your sound, the multi-channel amp allows more control. If your listening is more casual the Marantz should still do nicely.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
From what I've seen of the av capable 2ch gear compared to a multich avr, you don't really gain anything with the "simpler" version, and sometimes lose features. Economies of scale and all that.
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
For an audio system only, a 2ch receiver is ideal. When you start to add video capabilities, you are better off stepping up to a full blown AVR unfortunately. I tried a 2.1 setup without an AVR for a while and there were too many things I had to come up with work around solutions for.
 
Shanman

Shanman

Audioholic
I know they aren't well loved here, but for $400 and a 3 yr warranty, it's an option to many who can't spring for a decent AVR(especially the last 1.5yrs) or for a Parasound P6. The options for a decent 2.1 are very few.

The $500 "last year's AVR" like the Denon AVR-X3*** isn't an option like we had a few years back unfortunately.
 

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