Onkyo MC35TECH and Dayton BR-1

[CBZ]

Need help.

I recently bought an Onkyo MC35TECH and I think the speakers are kind of ok but not good enough. I want to buy speakers that have good clean sound at low volumes and I can't spend more than $200. Following are the specs of the amp:

Power output
20 watts per channel, min RMS, at 4
ohms, both channels driven 1 kHz,
with no more than 0.6% THD
15 watt per channel, min RMS, at
8 ohms, both channels driven 1 kHz,
with no more than 0.6% THD
2 X 20 watts at 4 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 17 watts at 6 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 15 watts at 8 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN
2 X 29 watts at 4 ohms, 1 kHz, EIAJ
Dynamic power output
2 X 24 watts at 4 ohms
2 X 17 watts at 8 ohms

I'm considering Dayton BR-1 from Parts Express but I'm not sure if the amp would be able to deliver enough power.

Please excuse me for not using the correct terminology, I'm new to the A/V world.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bitpoh]

The amp is not very powerful so you probably want to pair that with more efficient speakers.

The $99, 90 dB sensitivity Athena AS-B1 should be a pretty good match:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productinfo.asp?sku=ATHASB1&InfoType=1&PageTitle=Specifications

Alternatively, you may also want to consider some Mission speakers (Denon uses Mission speakers in some of their micro systems) that are within your price range:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AREC3E/104-4436264-3419118?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AREC3O/104-4436264-3419118?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance

 

[j_garcia]

If you're looking for sound quality at low levels, the BR-1s probably aren't going to do it for you because of their rather low sensitivity of 84dB, 1w@1m. I've owned a pair of the Athena B1s and I have to say they are pretty good for the money. Onecall.com has the Infinity Primus 150 for $100/pr (site looks like it is having problems at the moment).

 

[CBZ]

The amp is not very powerful so you probably want to pair that with more efficient speakers.

The $99, 90 dB sensitivity Athena AS-B1 should be a pretty good match:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productinfo.asp?sku=ATHASB1&InfoType=1&PageTitle=Specifications

Alternatively, you may also want to consider some mission speakers that are within your price range:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AREC3E/104-4436264-3419118?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AREC3O/104-4436264-3419118?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance

Thanks! I'm gonna check these out. What do you think of Yamaha NS-A60X

Sensitivity: 87 dB
Nominal Power: 70 Watt RMS
Impedence: 6 ohms

http://www.epinions.com/615817_Yamaha_NS_A60X_Surround_Rear_Speakers/display_~full_specs

 

[bitpoh]

I still think that the AS-B1, or like John suggested, the Primus 150, would give you better sound quality than the Yamaha.

 

[CBZ]

I still think that the AS-B1, or like John suggested, the Primus 150, would give you better sound quality than the Yamaha.

I wanted your PoV as I dont know much about speakers

 

[bitpoh]

To be honest with you, I am a novice myself. I own a pair of AS-B1 and I like them quite a bit. As for the Primus 150, I have read many positive feedbacks about them. Ultimately, trust your own ears. Try them out and keep the ones you like the most. The Yamaha's and Inifity Primus's should be readily available in many local stores so you can easily compare them. The AS-B1s are a lot harder to find now because they are on clearance (hence the wonderful clearance price of $99).

John is the more appropriate person to ask if you want more professional feedbacks .

 

[mustang_steve]

I own the BR-1s and they are as most here have said.

They are good solid quality speakers, but require a pretty decent amount of power to feed them. To get them to reaosnable playback volumes, I have to be running about 33% on my receiver (Yamaha RX-496)...they are definately far from efficient...that's often the tradeoff when extending bass response on a speaker is lower power handling and lower sensitivity.

The Athena AS-b1 is a very nice choice, and I think a few websites are selling them for $99 right now, as well as their center channel.

 

[CBZ]

I own the BR-1s and they are as most here have said.

They are good solid quality speakers, but require a pretty decent amount of power to feed them. To get them to reaosnable playback volumes, I have to be running about 33% on my receiver (Yamaha RX-496)...they are definately far from efficient...that's often the tradeoff when extending bass response on a speaker is lower power handling and lower sensitivity.

The Athena AS-b1 is a very nice choice, and I think a few websites are selling them for $99 right now, as well as their center channel.

Thanks! I know now that the BR-1s are not for me atleast not at the moment. I remember someone telling me that book shelf speakers are not as good as floor standing speakers when it comes to listening to music (I listen to Bruce Springteen, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Tracy Chapman, Mr. Big ... kind of music). Is that true?

 

[CBZ]

To be honest with you, I am a novice myself. I own a pair of AS-B1 and I like them quite a bit. As for the Primus 150, I have read many positive feedbacks about them. Ultimately, trust your own ears. Try them out and keep the ones you like the most. The Yamaha's and Inifity Primus's should be readily available in many local stores so you can easily compare them. The AS-B1s are a lot harder to find now because they are on clearance (hence the wonderful clearance price of $99).

John is the more appropriate person to ask if you want more professional feedbacks .

I appreciate all the inputs I got from all the nice people here