Will I hear considerable improvement in sound?

[satish536]

Upgrading from a
Infinity Reference Series (RS4 Towers,CC3 Center) being driven by an onkyo tx-ds676 (85w @8omhs)

To A
Axiom Audio M80v2 Towers with matching 6.1 setup driven by an Emotiva LPA-1 (225W @40hms)

or

RBH MC-6CT Towers with matching 6.1 setup driven by an Emotiva LPA-1 (175 W@6 ohms)

My question is if i upgrade to either of these systems from my current set up will i hear considerable improvement in sound quality and spl over my older system or do i need to go higher in the chain of speakers to hear considerable improvement?

I know speakers are subjective but ive liked a lot of speakers including monitor audio silvers, infinity reference, betas to klispch synergy so i would say im not that picky as this is my 2nd HT !

 

[j_garcia]

Just upgrading to the Emotivas I think you will get a big jump in clarity and SPL capability, but I don't think you will get a HUGE difference going to the M80s IMHO. I'd also replace the Bose and the sub with something a little more significant and you could be well on your way to a solid setup.

What is the issue with the system currently?

 

[satish536]

well my current system has been given away the whole thing ............ so im upgrading everything anyway. The poll last time left me with equal votes for the axiom and rbh set up.

so still doing research and looking out till the LMC-2 comes out anyway.

Im also wondering that the amount of drivers in the axiom set up makes me feel im getting more value for my money. But im not sure if that makes any difference at all.
Single(rbh setup) vs Multiple drivers(axiom setup)?
Dedicated drivers playing their own thing playing particular frequencies cleanly with good crossovers does sound like good reasoning to lean towards the axiom set up.

The plan is to get a SVS PB12-NSD/2 for the sub.

 

[mike c]

how big is your room? is this for HT or for music?

 

[satish536]

how big is your room? is this for HT or for music?

approx 2200 cuft
60% Music, 40% HT

 

[PENG]

I don't know how good the Infinity RS4 are but your Onkyo DS676 seems like a decent enough receiver that you can benefit more from upgrading speakers than upgrading the DS676 to the LPA-1

 

[mike c]

looks like you are on the right track, the sub is a bit overkill ... but overkill is good. consider also the PB12Plus (single driver) instead of the dual driver but entry level NSD. it's got lots of finish options as well.

 

[tonay]

I upgraded my velodyne 907, Infinity Kappa 5.1's and Infinity CC3 (which dominated the fronts) to SVS SCS-01's across the front and a PB NSD12/2. I'm in a hole new world. I've read this from many people and I can now agree - matching speakers across the front are critical. As far as the sub - lets say my current room volume is unlimited (open floor plan w/ valued ceilings) and w/ the dual 12 - all I miss is the thump in the chest at normal listening levels. If I crank the sub (past calibration w/ the speakers) I can make stuff on the kitchen counter rattle, my son will cover his ears and my buddy's all give the "damn!" look when I audition either NIN "Down in it" or Chemical brothers/Filter - "Trip Like I do".

 

[tonay]

Just to add - I'm pushing the speakers w/ a HK240AVR. I recently changed(the receiver that will push the speakers/sub in the addition room currently under construction) to a HK445AVR. The speakers sing alittle better and the sub response is much better. Can't speak for other brands except they blow the Sony I bought at the same time as the speakers away.

 

[billnchristy]

I upgraded from 4 Reference 2000.4 with a Primus C250 center (Had CC-1) to AV123 Rocket 760s with RSC 200 center last year.

The difference was INCREDIBLE.

I know the Axiom and RBH are on the same playing field but I dont know how much lower end my refs were to yours.

I drive mine with a Yamaha reciever.

Edit: It actually looks like the RS4 is a later model of my ref 2000.4s. I bought mine in 1998 on closeout for $149 a piece.

 

[satish536]

Im also wondering that the amount of drivers in the axiom set up makes me feel im getting more value for my money. But im not sure if that makes any difference at all. Single(rbh setup) vs Multiple drivers(axiom setup)?

Dedicated drivers playing their own thing playing particular frequencies cleanly with good crossovers does sound like good reasoning to lean towards the axiom set up.


any advice on this?

 

[billnchristy]

I think it really does depend on the x-over more than anything.

The driver quality difference alone between anything in your current price range vs. the infinitys will give you a much superior sound.

If you are feeling randy after getting your new gear disassemble one of the Infinitys and you will see what I mean immediately.

I have not compared comparable multi-driver vs. single driver speakers so I cannot attest to differences, but I know this about my rockets, which are 3-way 5 driver speakers:

Highs are crystal clear (vifa tweeter is amazing) and detailed with no harshness
Midrange is precise
Bass is ridiculous

Dont be woo'd by a million drivers though, it really is more about execution.

I built a pair of single driver fullrange bookshelfs using Jordan JX92s 4.5" drivers and they sound better than most 1k+ speakers.

 

[satish536]

I have not compared comparable multi-driver vs. single driver speakers so I cannot attest to differences, but I know this about my rockets, which are 3-way 5 driver speakers:

Highs are crystal clear (vifa tweeter is amazing) and detailed with no harshness
Midrange is precise
Bass is ridiculous

The rockets are also on my list. the RS760 Towers.

Maybe some of the experts will pitch in on this!
Single(rbh setup) vs Multiple drivers(axiom setup)?

Dedicated drivers playing their own thing playing particular frequencies cleanly with good crossovers does sound like good reasoning to lean towards the axiom set up.

 

[avaserfi]

While I don't know a lot about this I have been recently reading up on speaker design and why things are done the way they are. From what I understand these two speakers are designed with different frames of thought.

When a driver is in use it is supposed to move uniformly otherwise it will resonate and sound bad. Different materials respond differently when being used at varying frequencies. So a speaker that has multiple drivers will have each one designed with specific rigidity so it does not resonate or proper absorption to stop the resonating cone from being audible. A speaker with less drivers will be able to play all the same frequencies and be just as capable (assuming proper design) using different material for the driver or a different absorption method to stop any affects of resonating. Another note is both speakers will also use appropriate crossover settings to keep this resonating problem inaudible or non-resistant.

The moral is the number of drivers shouldn't matter if the speakers are designed well so don't get caught up in these numbers listen to the speakers and decide which you like more. The one time I can think it would be important to have multiple drivers is in a rather large room when trying to produce quiet a bit of sound.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Remember, if you replace both the receiver and the speakers at the same time, you will not be able to tell how much difference each made on its own. The only way to judge the effect is to upgrade each component separately.

 

[j_garcia]

Number of drivers does matter, because each driver in the same enclosure being fed the same signal and power yeilds a +2dB increase in output for the frequencies covered by those drivers. In other words, more drivers playing the same frequencies translates into higher sensitivity. That alone doesn't make one speaker sound better than another though...

Speakers make the single biggest difference in your sound, so I would try to audition speakers and find something you like before making the choice.