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Sourround speakers
#1485 02/07/02 04:28 PM
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I am planning a home theatre. I will most likely use the M3ti's for front speakers (currently have Bose AM5's) and was considering the Axiom surrounds. I will be going to a 7.1 setup with an Onkyo TX-DS787 (already have).
Question 1: Why use the specialised surrounds and not M1's which are less expensive and seem to be rated better for the surround and surround back pair?
Question 2: The Onkyo only support built in amplification for 5 channels. To go 7 I need a 2 channel standalone power amp. Can anyone recommend a low cost clean unit?

Thanks



Re: Sourround speakers
#1486 02/09/02 12:17 PM
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The question of direct radiating surrounds (M1s) or multi radiating surrounds (QS2s, QS4s, or QS8s) is a bit of a debate. We have found in our testing that the biggest advantage to the multi radiating surrounds is realized when the surround channels are located fairly close to the listening positions. This is almost always the case in a standard home theatre set up where the both the seating and the surrounds are on the back wall.

If I am not mistaken your receiver has built in amplification for 6 channels which gives you a third option for your system. For the added amplifier to go to 7.1 I would suggest getting an amplifier of similar power and decent dynamic head room like the Onkyo.


Ian Colquhoun
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Ian Colquhoun
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Re: Sourround speakers
#1487 02/13/02 09:44 PM
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Thanks for taking the time to reply, you went right to the heart of my speaker question. Basically, you are saying M1's might be a bit overpowering as they will be close to the listeners. The Onkyo does have a setting to cater to that, but surround speakers that "diffuse" the sound would be better for filling the room?

On the Amp question (yes, 6 powered channels in the 787) do you have a name you could drop. I have not come across a competitive discrete amp without getting car kit and a 110/12V PSU.

Further to that, since writing my original question, I noticed other threads that discussed 5.1 vs 7.1 I gleaned that the media is really 5 channels and the AMP DSP's twist it to 7 channels. If this is what is happening it may be ok to stay with a 5.1 config, or maybe just for fun (as the Onkyo has a powered "surround back") go to a 6.1 with 1 rear speaker. If I do that would you match the "back" to the surround speakers, or the front, or maybe even use another VP150?



Re: Sourround speakers
#1488 02/14/02 04:11 PM
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You should ensure the "back" speaker is a good timbral match to the surround speakers, because it's signal is matrix-derived from the left and right surround signals. Thus, you want a smooth enveloping mix across the side and rear. You won't lose directional cues,either.

You do not want the "back" speaker to call attention to itself because its tonal qualities don't match the two surround speakers.

Alan Lofft
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Alan Lofft,
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Re: Sourround speakers
#1489 02/14/02 06:35 PM
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Hello again,
If you wanted to add a competitive discrete power amp to drive the single "back" channel, take a look at the Marantz MA-6100 125-watt THX Mono Power Amplifier. It has excellent specs, a high-current power supply, and it's affordable ($330 US sugg. retail).

Regards,

Alan Lofft
Axiom Resident Expert


Alan Lofft,
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Re: Sourround speakers
#1490 02/14/02 08:26 PM
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Hi Alan. I know that this is a little off topic but this thread seems to be heading into the realm of amplification. I have a Denon 1802 and M3s for the fronts. After I go to a 5.1 system (keeping the m3s as fronts) can you think of any reason to power the front channels using an additional amplifier and the pre-outs? Would there be any difference in sound quality at normal listening levels? Thanks



Re: Sourround speakers
#1491 02/15/02 02:55 PM
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Hello Surinder,
No, I don't expect there would be any perceivable sound quality difference between the Denon's internal amps and an outboard power amp (using the Denon pre-outs) at normal listening levels. Modern solid-state amplifiers provide gain to an audio signal, with frequency-response linearity and distortion components far below the detection threshold of human hearing. There are no mystical qualities to good amplifier design. The best amplifier is one with no "sound" of its own, the proverbial "straight wire with gain", and the majority of solid-state power amps I've auditioned (and measured) do that admirably. Its job is to reproduce the signal from the compact disc, DVD, or vinyl record without adding any coloration--euphonic or otherwise--of its own. If it did, it wouldn't be "high fidelity", would it? Fidelity to the source is the goal of all audio and video reproduction.

Regards,


Alan Lofft
Axiom Resident Expert


Alan Lofft,
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