HK AVR635 sufficient?

[DTRUTH]

Hi, I'm new to the forum.

I've been researching quite a bit, at least enough to make my head hurt, and have a few questions that will most likely turn into many. Hopefully not.

I'm in the process of doing a forklift overhaul of my existing HT system and the first peice that I have acquired is a HK AVR 635.

The Axiom speaker set up that I want to go with for a 7.1 config consists of:
M80s
VP150
4 QS8s
EP500

My question is whether the AVR635 can handle the M80s at 4 ohms or should I get a 2 channel amp to augment the receiver? If so, what amp would be a nice compliment to the 635?
or
If the receiver can't handle the M80s, should I just go with the M60s at 8 ohms and skip the amp?

Thanks,
DTruth

 

[MacManNM]

I don't recomend using 4 ohm speakers with any of the mid-fi receivers on the market. It will work, it all really depends on your room size distance from the speakers, etc. Amps are cheap. Get the speakers you really want, then if your receiver doesn't have enough to push them to your liking, get an amp for them later.

 

[mulester7]

I don't recomend using 4 ohm speakers with any of the mid-fi receivers on the market. It will work, it all really depends on your room size distance from the speakers, etc. Amps are cheap. Get the speakers you really want, then if your receiver doesn't have enough to push them to your liking, get an amp for them later.

.....Mac, here's what these surround receiver guys oughta' look at, imo.....

.....with a decent slave-amp taking the mains-signal out the pre-outs of the receiver, with no effect whatsoever concerning the internal amp sections of the receiver, you can work toward that set of mains you've wanted for a long time, and your system just went from 5.1 to 7.1, your 6.1 went to 8.1, and you proud owners of a 7.1 receiver just went to 9.1....I suspect it wouldn't hack you at all to figure out where two more mids/surrounds/accent speakers sound the best.....

.....move the old mains to rears changing no wiring configurations.....at least where the old mains are conneced at both ends, and of course you'll need new wire as the old rears swing around.....then find a spot for 4 accents, 7.1 owners.....rover......

 

[MacManNM]

.....Mac, here's what these surround receiver guys oughta' look at, imo.....

.....with a decent slave-amp taking the mains-signal out the pre-outs of the receiver, with no effect whatsoever concerning the internal amp sections of the receiver, you can work toward that set of mains you've wanted for a long time, and your system just went from 5.1 to 7.1, your 6.1 went to 8.1, and you proud owners of a 7.1 receiver just went to 9.1....I suspect it wouldn't hack you at all to figure out where two more mids/surrounds/accent speakers sound the best.....

.....move the old mains to rears changing no wiring....find a spot for 4 accents.....rover......

I believe that mains should almost always have a seperate amp. But then again, today's speakers generally don't have large drivers, and the sub does most of the real work. But reguardless, I am a purist and believe 2ch/audio should be played on 2ch's. No sub no surrounds. Old school here.

 

[j_garcia]

Or look into a receiver that can handle the 4 Ohm load... Although a decent receiver with external amplification is almost always going to sound better. That does mean extra interconnects and at least one more power cord you'll need to have a spot for.

What's the room size and the budget for the receiver?

 

[mulester7]

I believe that mains should almost always have a seperate amp. But then again, today's speakers generally don't have large drivers, and the sub does most of the real work. But reguardless, I am a purist and believe 2ch/audio should be played on 2ch's. No sub no surrounds. Old school here.

.....I read you loud and clear, Mac....but from the first time I noticed that rearview mirror was vibrating fuzzy, I was hooked on subs....and I've learned they MUST be used tastefully, or you lose everything concerning your other speakers....are you proud of your mains or not?, is what I ask myself.....

 

[DTRUTH]

Or look into a receiver that can handle the 4 Ohm load... Although a decent receiver with external amplification is almost always going to sound better. That does mean extra interconnects and at least one more power cord you'll need to have a spot for.

What's the room size and the budget for the receiver?

I just got the 635, so I'll probably keep it.

The "room" is a bit odd. I guess I should call it an area that is part of a larger room. The area is 10.5' W x 7.5' H. The rear wall is 40' back, but on one side of the area I have a 20' L wall. So the virtual room is 10.5x7.5x20. The speakers are probably a bit much for the room, but I may move them to a larger area down the road.

If I'm not at risk of causing the receiver any harm, then I'll go with the M80s and add an amp down the road. I don't have a budget per se as I'm building this over time. What would be a good amp to compliment the HK?

 

[Spiffyfast]

I think dual 200 watt mono amps from www.outlawaudio.com would do the trick nicely for those Axiom M80's

 

[mulester7]

.....and Gentlemen, had I had a surround receiver for any time to speak of, I would have already had L-pads on all speakers....even though they are only good for attenuation-down, I would have had control over the system of speakers....in tweaking, I would let the weakest signaled accent speakers come through full volume, and then work from there with the other speakers, turning them partially down, progressively, with the other L-pads, to achieve the balance and "location" I wanted....and the gains on the slave-amp would give me volume control for the treasured mains, which would stand at attention, haha.....

....I would choose mono L-pads, for simplicity's sake in use....I suggest ones that are rated 100 watts....will take a lot more than 100 watts, continuous, trust me....about 6 bucks at Rat Shack.....no noise promoted, at least audibly, have I ever heard from the use of an L-pad....that might have something to do with the electricity the L-pad receives has gone inductance, I don't know.....

.....once again, L-pads are volume knobs, but ONLY to LESSEN the full amplified signal they receive....they are mounted inline between the receiver's amp output posts and the speakers, in the speaker-wire....you cut the speaker-wire even, strip all four ends, then input and output to and from the L-pad....then turn the knob up full-blast, and you get the volume you would have gotten without it....then turn down which ones need to be....great tool....small too, they don't come even close to filling up your palm.....

.....and, you can mount a bunch of them on one side of a neat stained wood box for wonderful and simple access, that is eye-catching....I quit.....

 

[DTRUTH]

I think dual 200 watt mono amps from www.outlawaudio.com would do the trick nicely for those Axiom M80's

I like what I see. Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[j_garcia]

Two smaller 4 Ohm speakers might not be an issue, but with the 80s, external amps would probably be a good idea. Monoblocks are that much better... My mains are very happy each having their own power supply.

 

[mulester7]

I like what I see. Thanks for the recommendation!

.....DTRUTH, thanks for not cussin' me for steppin' on your thread....I just have these times my head goes light, and I wake up rambling....I been talking to my dog about it, but she is still collecting thoughts....I love that dog....I probably would have married her by now, but I never have been able to get past that Alpo-breath, ya' know what I mean, DTRUTH?....huh?......

 

[DTRUTH]

.....DTRUTH, thanks for not cussin' me for steppin' on your thread....I just have these times my head goes light, and I wake up rambling....I been talking to my dog about it, but she is still collecting thoughts....I love that dog....I probably would have married her by now, but I never have been able to get past that Alpo-breath, ya' know what I mean, DTRUTH?....huh?......

I was never really good with stream of consciousness type stuff. If I go light headed and wake up rambling, it's usually alcohol induced.

If your dog talks back after collecting her thoughts, you might want to call David Letterman.

 

[snakeyes]

i think you will be fine axiom recomends hk (almost any model) to push the 80's. but if you call them they will tell you their self.