Looking for Amp Recommendations

[jada]

So I have recently acquired a pair of Axiom M3s along with a EP-350 sub as the heart of my sound system. I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a good two channel power amp to pair with the M3s. I will be using the pre-outs on my Denon AVR 2803 to push the amp, as well as powering the remaining speakers in the system. I have a rather large great room (4200 cu. ft.) due to cathedral ceilings, and the power section of the Denon seems strained when I really want to push things. My budget is <$1000, and I am considering the following:

Rotel RB-1080 (200x2)
Sunfire 300 (300x2)
Sunfire Symphonic Reference (250x2)
NAD C272 (150x2)
Emotiva RPA-1 (200x2)

I understand that most of these amps exceeds the 175w specs of the M3s, but I have no desire to push the speakers into oblivion. I merely want ample power to push the speakers CLEANLY when I desire some extra volume. Does anyone have any insight as to which of these amps would make a nice pairing with the sonic characteristics of the M3s?

FYI, I have also posted this question in the Axiom forums.

 

[mazersteven]

The M3 v2's are really efficient. Don't understand why you think you need an external amp.

http://www.behringer.com/A500/index.cfm?lang=eng

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-A500-500W-ReferenceClass-Studio-Power-Amplifier?sku=480780

 

[WmAx]

Behringer EP2500. It will provide some appreciable extra power, and will power virtually anything you could ever want to power in the future with ease. I find it highly unlikely you can get the EP2500 to 'strain' in your application. 450 clean watts per channel, both channels driven, into 8 ohms. 1000 watts per channel into 2 ohms, both channels driven. $350 typical street price puts this well under your budget, and more suited to your purpose(of high power) than any of the other amplifiers you listed. However, the EP2500 is fan cooled, and depending on where you have it and how close it is to you, you might need to change out the fan (held in with 4 screws) with a drop in replacement Panaflo model that is very quiet.

I understand if you don't want to change out the fan. I am just recommending a unit that will save you a lot of money, and provide more of what you want(clean power) as compared to the more expensive options you listed.

-Chris

 

[Seth=L]

WOW, the problem isn't the speakers, or the receiver, it's the room. You are trying to fill a very large area with small bookshelf speakers that retail for $330. You need bigger speakers that can handle more power, the Denon could likely over power those Axioms. Powering $330 speakers with near $1000 or more of amplification is pure silliness. If you like Axiom sound, go for some larger Axioms such as the Millenia M60 towers, which come in right around your amplifier budget and the Denon would likely still be good to drive those to insane levels of output. And if not, the Behringer EP2500 is a steal and could power the M60s very well.

 

[ZoFo]

How about a couple of Mono-blocks?

A pair of Outlaw 2200 Mono block will set you back $650.

The Emotiva BPA-1 monoblocks are a very verstial amp; they can be used as an integrated amp, subwoofer amp as they have a built-in crossover, a 50W stereo amp or bridged it's a 150W mono-block, all for $189 each. They also make great 2-zone amps, only problem I see is that Emotiva is temporarly out of them.

 

[mtrycrafts]

WOW, the problem isn't the speakers, or the receiver, it's the room.D

While his room has the CF his listening distance is just as important if not more. And, perhaps, he likes it loud enough for hearing damage, then, he really needs special speakers that will output the spl before compressing and distorting audibly.

 

[Haoleb]

He cant get bigger speakers because they are going into a cabinet

 

[Seth=L]

He cant get bigger speakers because they are going into a cabinet

Well they aren't going to get any louder or fill the room with more sound by adding amplification. Having them in a cabinet might not be very helpful either.

 

[mattburk]

A pair of Outlaw 2200 Mono block will set you back $650.

The Emotiva BPA-1 monoblocks are a very verstial amp; they can be used as an integrated amp, subwoofer amp as they have a built-in crossover, a 50W stereo amp or bridged it's a 150W mono-block, all for $189 each. They also make great 2-zone amps, only problem I see is that Emotiva is temporarly out of them.

the bpa's and rpa are discontinued.

 

[rnatalli]

As others have pointed out, you need larger speakers. Like Seth said, spending four figures on amps and receivers to power $330 bookshelf speakers makes no sense.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Rotel RB-1080 (200x2)
Sunfire 300 (300x2)
Sunfire Symphonic Reference (250x2)
NAD C272 (150x2)
Emotiva RPA-1 (200x2)

If I could have anyone of those amps, I would get the Sunfire 300. Come on, how can you say "No" to 300 watts per channel?

 

[jada]

Okay, just to clarify a few things. These speakers are NOT going in a cabinet. They will be placed on stands aside my plasma. And no, I'm not trying to fill the room with $330 bookshelf speakers. There is also a $750 sub helping out! I have settled on bookshelf speakers because the M60s along with a sub simply did not fit my budget. Had to get the real wood veneer ($$) with a custom stain ($$) to keep the wife happy. So it was either standalone towers, or bookshelfs and a sub, and I thought the second choice would make a nice compromise between stereo listening and HT. My speakers have yet to ship, and you guys have me thinking about cancelling my order and just getting a pair of M60s instead. I guess I could always add a sub down the road (who am I trying to convince here?).

The question now is, will a pair of towers fill the room without a sub? Will I be missing the extra bass? The system I have now consists of a pair of Infinity IL 10s and a Cambridge Soundworks Newton Series P500 sub (with two 8" drivers). I know the detail and imaging of the Axioms will outperform this combo, but will I be missing the sheer impact of the subwoofer?

 

[Seth=L]

Okay, just to clarify a few things. These speakers are NOT going in a cabinet. They will be placed on stands aside my plasma. And no, I'm not trying to fill the room with $330 bookshelf speakers. There is also a $750 sub helping out! I have settled on bookshelf speakers because the M60s along with a sub simply did not fit my budget. Had to get the real wood veneer ($$) with a custom stain ($$) to keep the wife happy. So it was either standalone towers, or bookshelfs and a sub, and I thought the second choice would make a nice compromise between stereo listening and HT. My speakers have yet to ship, and you guys have me thinking about cancelling my order and just getting a pair of M60s instead. I guess I could always add a sub down the road (who am I trying to convince here?).

The question now is, will a pair of towers fill the room without a sub? Will I be missing the extra bass? The system I have now consists of a pair of Infinity IL 10s and a Cambridge Soundworks Newton Series P500 sub (with two 8" drivers). I know the detail and imaging of the Axioms will outperform this combo, but will I be missing the sheer impact of the subwoofer?

Pardon my confusion, but you where able to make room in your budget for a $1000 plus amplifier, a subwoofer, and the Axiom M3s. If you remove the $1000 amp budget you can get better speakers. The M60s won't likely need extra amplification, but if they do, you would need it you can get it later.

I have the IL10s, they aren't very efficient speakers, and they aren't very big either. I wouldn't expect them or the Axiom M3s to fill that large a room with sound. The same goes for the smallish subwoofer.

So you can still get a subwoofer and Axiom M60s if you leave the amplifier out of the budget. Maybe you can go for the Smaller Axiom M50s if the stain and veneer cost too much. In any case, the Axioms are more efficient than the IL10s, and should be able to fill your room with sound without the aid of additional amplification.

Another option, if it's available to you, would be to return the Denon in favor of the Onkyo TX-SR805, which has a great amplifier built in. The Onkyo would mate very well with the Axioms, IMO.

 

[jada]

I think you may be right about my budget allocations. I probably should spend the extra money on speakers. The Denon isn't costing me a dime, as I've had it for years, and I was really hoping to come in around $5-600 on an amp if I could find one used. I just have to convince the WAF that tower speakers don't take up any more space than bookshelfs on a stand!

 

[Seth=L]

I think you may be right about my budget allocations. I probably should spend the extra money on speakers. The Denon isn't costing me a dime, as I've had it for years, and I was really hoping to come in around $5-600 on an amp if I could find one used. I just have to convince the WAF that tower speakers don't take up any more space than bookshelfs on a stand!

Oh, woops I misread your receiver, I thought it was a Denon AVR-2308. Your Denon should be fine to drive most any of Axioms speakers.

Good luck convincing the wife.

 

[cfrizz]

I love my Sunfire amp, it has tons of power & lightweight as well. I would get either the Rotel or either Sunfires. They will keep you happy for years. Just keep an eye on Audiogon for the right deal!

So I have recently acquired a pair of Axiom M3s along with a EP-350 sub as the heart of my sound system. I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a good two channel power amp to pair with the M3s. I will be using the pre-outs on my Denon AVR 2803 to push the amp, as well as powering the remaining speakers in the system. I have a rather large great room (4200 cu. ft.) due to cathedral ceilings, and the power section of the Denon seems strained when I really want to push things. My budget is <$1000, and I am considering the following:

Rotel RB-1080 (200x2)
Sunfire 300 (300x2)
Sunfire Symphonic Reference (250x2)
NAD C272 (150x2)
Emotiva RPA-1 (200x2)

I understand that most of these amps exceeds the 175w specs of the M3s, but I have no desire to push the speakers into oblivion. I merely want ample power to push the speakers CLEANLY when I desire some extra volume. Does anyone have any insight as to which of these amps would make a nice pairing with the sonic characteristics of the M3s?

FYI, I have also posted this question in the Axiom forums.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The question now is, will a pair of towers fill the room without a sub? Will I be missing the extra bass? The system I have now consists of a pair of Infinity IL 10s and a Cambridge Soundworks Newton Series P500 sub (with two 8" drivers). I know the detail and imaging of the Axioms will outperform this combo, but will I be missing the sheer impact of the subwoofer?

If you are after that 'sheer impact' you need a good sub, period. That tower will just not do. Subs were invented and designed and marketed today for a good reason, 'sheer impact.'

By the way, why do you want to fill the room with sound? It only needs to impress you where you will listen to them, no?

 

[mtrycrafts]

He cant get bigger speakers because they are going into a cabinet

He can now; plans changed or never planned

 

[Haoleb]

He can now; plans changed or never planned

Yeah, It was my understanding they were going into a cabinet from the posts at the axiom forums. I was wrong!

 

[jada]

By the way, why do you want to fill the room with sound? It only needs to impress you where you will listen to them, no?

The speakers will be located in the "Great Room" which is part of a very open floor plan. Music will be listened to from all over the place. I don't typically do my music listening in one solitary spot. I would like it to fill one room, and sometimes spill into the next room if I'm in the kitchen. Eventually every room will have a dedicated speaker system, but until then I need it to be BIG!!