Receiver for Monitor audio

[licensedgeek]

Hi,
I inherited a set of Monitor audio speakers from my previous home owners, I have no idea how to choose a compatible receiver for these speakers. Can you please provide some tips on where to begin my research? I have the following speakers:

1. 1 x ASW 100 Powered Subwoofer
2. 1 x Baby center
3. 4 x Baby boomer

Thanks
Ashwin

 

[lovinthehd]

Here's an article for some background: https://www.audioholics.com/how-to-shop/how-to-buy-an-av-receiver

They are no longer on the Monitor Audio site, and otherwise some dead links, this was the most detail I found:

Model: Baby satellites
Frequency response + 3dB: 90Hz - 25kHz
Sensitivity (1W, 1M): 87 dB
Power Handling Peak: 120
Cabinet construction: Acoustic Suspension
Mid/bass driver: 4.5 MMP (Metal Matrix Polymer)
Tweeter: 1 Gold micro dome
Dimensions H x W x D: 7.5 x 4.5 x 5.5
Weight: 9 lbs
Finish: Black Oak

There's this brief thread from our forum https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/monitor-audio-baby-boomers.51779/

I was hoping for impedance ratings which would give you a better idea on receiver requirements for the amp section, otherwise the receiver would generally be chosen for features/connectivity needs. Most receivers will work fine, but if they're 4 ohm nominal speakers then maybe at higher volumes it could be an issue. If they're 8 ohm nominal less of an issue. Most higher end receivers (rated for 4 ohm) wouldn't have a problem but these speakers aren't worth buying one of those for it IMO. These seem to be a not particularly noteworthy set of small sats/sub combo sets. Speakers with drivers this small are going to be somewhat limited in performance and definitely need a sub to support them (probably best in small rooms rather than large, too).

What is your budget? Will you be using this with a tv or other audio/video gear?

Sounds like you haven't been able to test them by hooking them up? You could possibly test the sub with even something like a phone with an adapter cable (probably 3.5mm to rca for most phones). Have you at least inspected the speakers for intact drivers (no damaged cones/surrounds) to make sure they're worthy of further investment? They could be almost 20 years old (I saw a release date of 2000 somewhere).

Might be best off getting something newer....we can guide you to budget gear that would perform better. This seems to be somewhat the current version

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If I owned that little 5.1 speaker system and don't want to pay too much, I would get the Yamaha RX-485 on Amazon for $329. I prefer it over the cheaper $259 RX-385 because the RX-485 has MusicCast, which I think is much better than AirPlay for streaming music from your phone or iPad to your AVR. Otherwise, get the cheaper RX-385.


https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V485BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-MusicCast/dp/B07CF9H3KW/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V385-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B07BNXXJKB/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1542726337&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=yamaha+receiver&psc=1

 

[licensedgeek]

@lovinthehd, @AcuDefTechGuy,
Thank you for the reply. I tried finding the impedance online and physically on the speaker, but no luck. Is there a way I can manually measure the impedance, maybe with a multimeter?

There are no physical damages on either the speakers or the sub. I'll try to test it with my phone like you suggested.

I would ideally like to spend $300 or less on the receiver, because I've to set aside some money for a 'budget' 4k projector.

I'll read through the links you shared and get back if I have more questions. Thanks again for the tips.

 

[licensedgeek]

What do you think of the Sony STR-DH790? I'm thinking it would accommodate future upgrades to my speakers.

amazon[dot]com/Sony-STR-DH790-7-2-ch-Receiver-Vision/dp/B079YW5VQL

 

[Russdawg1]

@lovinthehd, @AcuDefTechGuy,
Thank you for the reply. I tried finding the impedance online and physically on the speaker, but no luck. Is there a way I can manually measure the impedance, maybe with a multimeter?

There are no physical damages on either the speakers or the sub. I'll try to test it with my phone like you suggested.

I would ideally like to spend $300 or less on the receiver, because I've to set aside some money for a 'budget' 4k projector.

I'll read through the links you shared and get back if I have more questions. Thanks again for the tips.

A multimeter is a solid way to test for impedance.

Best Buy is selling the Onkyo TX-NR656 for $250 right now. It has basically everything you’ll ever need: 4K, EQ, Bi-Amping if you upgrade your speakers, Networking, Bluetooth, Streaming, etc etc. It’ll be relevant for quite a white to support your system’s eventual growth. Everyone gets the tick to upgrade

 

[licensedgeek]

I measured the impedance (resistance) across my monitor speaker terminals using a multimeter. The baby boomers measure 3.6 ohms, the baby center measures 6.5 ohms. The powered sub has 2 pairs of "High Outputs" and 2 pairs of "High Inputs", the inputs measure 1.5 K ohms and the outputs measure somewhere in the order of mega ohms (one output pair constantly increases, while the other decreases).

I bought the onkyo tx-nr656. The big question is - how do I connect all these? Especially the sub. I've attached a picture of my sub for your reference.

 

[Russdawg1]

I measured the impedance (resistance) across my monitor speaker terminals using a multimeter. The baby boomers measure 3.6 ohms, the baby center measures 6.5 ohms. The powered sub has 2 pairs of "High Outputs" and 2 pairs of "High Inputs", the inputs measure 1.5 K ohms and the outputs measure somewhere in the order of mega ohms (one output pair constantly increases, while the other decreases).

I bought the onkyo tx-nr656. The big question is - how do I connect all these? Especially the sub. I've attached a picture of my sub for your reference.View attachment 26865

Standard copper wire (14 gauge should do) for the speakers and a subwoofer cable for the subwoofer (lol).

Don’t buy from Best Buy and don’t buy anything above $50.

A $10 Mediabridge subwoofer cable should be plenty.

100 foot roll of 14 gauge OFC by Mediabridge is only $30. Terminate your cuts with banana plugs (do your speakers take banana plugs?) Monoprice ones are like $5 for 4. All of this stuff can be found on amazon btw. If your speakers don’t take banana plugs, no need for them then.

 

[licensedgeek]

Standard copper wire (14 gauge should do) for the speakers and a subwoofer cable for the subwoofer (lol).

Don’t buy from Best Buy and don’t buy anything above $50.

A $10 Mediabridge subwoofer cable should be plenty.

100 foot roll of 14 gauge OFC by Mediabridge is only $30. Terminate your cuts with banana plugs (do your speakers take banana plugs?) Monoprice ones are like $5 for 4. All of this stuff can be found on amazon btw. If your speakers don’t take banana plugs, no need for them then.

There speakers are actually already wired (through the wall) and labeled. I was wondering if I have to do anything extra about the lower impedance, because the guy at bestbuy said I don't have to worry if my speakers were 4 to 8 ohms ( mine is less than 4 ohms).

Also, my sub doesn't seem to have a standard plug, it has 2 pairs of High inputs and 2 of High outputs. See here:

 

[Russdawg1]

There speakers are actually already wired (through the wall) and labeled. I was wondering if I have to do anything extra about the lower impedance, because the guy at bestbuy said I don't have to worry if my speakers were 4 to 8 ohms ( mine is less than 4 ohms).

Also, my sub doesn't seem to have a standard plug, it has 2 pairs of High inputs and 2 of High outputs. See here:

View attachment 26866

Sorry went brain dead there for a second.

I don’t think your receiver will have a problem running the barely lower than 4 ohms load. Onkyo’s are usually built pretty tough. At least the older ones are. Your subwoofer should just connect through the line in (rca) to the subwoofer out on the receiver. Unless I missed something.

Edit: Also don’t worry about the speaker (high level) inputs and outputs on the subwoofer. You won’t be needing to touch those.

 

[PENG]

I measured the impedance (resistance) across my monitor speaker terminals using a multimeter. The baby boomers measure 3.6 ohms, the baby center measures 6.5 ohms. The powered sub has 2 pairs of "High Outputs" and 2 pairs of "High Inputs", the inputs measure 1.5 K ohms and the outputs measure somewhere in the order of mega ohms (one output pair constantly increases, while the other decreases).

I bought the onkyo tx-nr656. The big question is - how do I connect all these? Especially the sub. I've attached a picture of my sub for your reference.View attachment 26865

The multimeter measured resistance (dc), not impedance. If the d.c. resistance is 3.6 ohms, the nominal impedance will likely be much higher, probably between 4 and 8 ohms. Note that impedance varies with frequency.

Most satellite speakers are not designed to play cinema loud and can't handle a lot of current, so an entry level AVR should be good enough.