Help with Budget Speaker / Amplifier

[alco]

Hi,

I am a newbie in A/V and need some advise.

I currently have a simple 2.0 stereo system which I use to for TV viewing, DVD and munic. ( My place is small and dont really need a 5.1 setup.)

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Here is my current stereo system: Yamaha Pianocraft Receiver RX-E200.

Max Power: 60W + 60W
Min Rms: 50W + 50W
Linear Damping: Yes
Damping Factor: 60(main ch, speaker A)
Dynamic Power Channel: 50/65/75/80 W (8/6/4/2 ohms)
Subwoofer Output Terminal: Yes

Speaker: NX-E200 2-Way Speaker System
Drivers: 13 cm cone woofer
2.5 cm dome tweeter
Input Power (Max/Nominal): 110W/60W
Impedence: 6 ohms
Sensitivity: 87 dB/2.83 V/m

*******

I would like to uprade my speakers. Budget is 550 dollars.

Based on the reviews from forums, I have decided to get the following:
2 Axion M3 Ti speakers
(http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/SpeakerFaceOffVIp1.php)
and 1 Onix x-series Subwoofer
(http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/Onixxsubp1.php)


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Now the questions:

(1) Will my receiver have enough power to drive the
speakar and subwoofer?

(2) More importantly, using my mini yamaha receiver,
will there be improvement with the sound quality?

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Is it even worth to buy these expensive speakers using this yamaha receiver? My concern is that the sound quality wont improve much. The axiom speakers is already more expensive than my receiver.

I realize that my receiver is not high-end but I was unable to find a small receiver that fits my budget.

Thanks,
Vin

 

[j_garcia]

1) It seems like it will be OK - the M3s aren't hard to drive.

2) That is almost impossible to say, but I would expect the result to be yes. Speakers make the single largest difference in sound.

Small receiver - meaning physically small or inexpensive? You can get solid stereo receivers from Onkyo and Harman Kardon very inexpensive ($150-200 range), but they are not physically small.

 

[alco]

thansk j_garcia,

Regarding your questions: "Small receiver - meaning physically small or inexpensive?"
I meant Small receiver -> small in size.

The reason I want to continue and use this receiver is because I travel a bit and I normally bring my small home entertainment system with me.

Having a full-size receiver + subwoofer would be too big and heavy to bring with me.

Right now, I have the following:
- 103 inch DIY projector screen
- Optoma HD70 projector
- Yamaha Pianocraft Receiver RX-E200 (its 1/3 the size of a normal component)
- 2 bookshelf speakers
- DVD player
All of these fits nicely in one large suitcase
*******

My concern is even after purchasing the Axiom spearks, perhaps there wont be much improvement in sound quality because of the limited capability of the mini amplifier.

 

[j_garcia]

My concern is even after purchasing the Axiom spearks, perhaps there wont be much improvement in sound quality because of the limited capability of the mini amplifier.

They will sound different for sure, but I can't say if they will sound dramatically better. During average listening, and especially with smaller speakers like these, you are going to use 10w or less to drive them. The time when you might notice the system struggle would be during dynamic passages, like action sequences with a lot of activity and bass where the demand for current can go up very quickly.

I actually have a small Sony similar to the Yammie you have that puts out 30w x 2 and I hooked up some Paradigm Atoms to it and it did improve the sound of the system, and IMO, the Axiom M3s sound as good or better than those particular 'digms. I sold the Atoms and gave the system to my daughter with the original speakers and she is still happy with it.

 

[alco]

Thanks for your input. I will just go ahead and upgrade the speakers.

BTW, did you have the chance to compare axiom m3 vs onix x-ls speakers? Does m3 speaker sound better since its more expensive?

Budget wise, I would prefer onix x-ls ( it is cheaper by 100 dollars). But the x-ls is bigger and heavier by 10 lbs than axiom m3.

 

[Nick250]

Have you auditioned speakers locally? If not, you are doing a disservice to yourself buy not knowing what the options are. It's an eye opening experience.

Nick

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker upgrade

If you went with the Onix X-LS and X-sub (<$400 from b-stock), you would have money left for a receiver upgrade. Some of the Panasonic digital receivers would meet your size and weight criteria.

If you want to be really portable, invest in a good pair of headphones.

 

[agarwalro]

Just to throw it into the mix, the Denon S-101 might be an option. Should be comparible in price to getting a new receiver, bookshelfs and sub.

 

[jaxvon]

Just to throw it into the mix, the Denon S-101 might be an option. Should be comparible in price to getting a new receiver, bookshelfs and sub.

Eh, I'd recommend against it. Unless you're really lazy and/or the wife will only allow two speakers plus the sub, skip the S-101. It doesn't sound too bad, but it is in no way a replacement for a real setup.

 

[alco]

Thanks for all the input.. I was set on buying the X-ls and x-sub for my mini receiver. But due to "gentle" persuation (she said "no"), I will just put this in my "wish-list", save the money and buy a "real" home theater system when we move to a house.

We did reach a compromise. I eventually ended up buying the Insignia speakers from best buy (50 dollars). I was surprise how it improved the sound compared to the yamaha speakers.

For the positives: (I only have my yamaha speakers to compare.)
With music, the background instruments sound are now more visible. I can now hear sounds from the precussions. Treble is has improved a lot.

With DVD, I played CARS from Disney and noticed the improvements in the little details like the sound of the stones flying in the racetrack, when a car passes through smoke, when a car drives through dirt track. I can also feel the power of the cars as they race.

For the negatives:
The bass is not as deep and full as I wanted. In the forums, it mentions that it will improve after a few days. Hopefully, this will not be an issue.

The vocals does not stand-out against the background music anymore especially on action or dramatic scenes with loud background music. This is ok for music-only. But with movies, I need to increase the volume to hear the dialog properly.

*****
In any case, I am quite satisfied with the purchase and glad how a pair 50 dollar speakers can improve my stereo system.

 

[GreenJelly]

I would look to buy some higher current Amp. You can find used gear that will meet your need, and because it is used, its ok to travel with.

Low Current Amps, can cost you money. Distortion Destroys speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=port_spkr&item=c1md12ee

 

[Rob Babcock]

Wow! I didn't realize Cambridge still made those. BTW, I just bought an older Cambridge 3 pc system from eBay, just showed up today! I didn't need 'em, but what can I say- gear just follows me home!

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah, they had one in the store not too long ago. I was surprised that they still sold them too.

 

[GreenJelly]

I hear mixed reviews from people (salesmen) about cambridge. I hear good things from some magazines, and I often hear them compaired to bose as "super bose", or what Bose is suppose to be.

 

[j_garcia]

They make a lot of cheap speakers for sure, but they also make some respectable ones and when they are on sale they can be worth while. Most of the Newton line is decent. I like the M50, M60 and M80. Their subs are not too bad either, but they are not as good of a value as internet direct.