Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833 |
Bring it here to IL. and we'll give it a try
Rick
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,422 |
I have a mid-level Elite (4 year old model) and others have said that it works great with M80s (I have M60s), so it is interesting that a current model would have issues. The below information came from Audioholics web site (but was linked on their web site from another site), which is also where there bench test of continuous test tones over a 4 ohm load had issues, but "real world" as they put it tests came out just fine. The SC-07 is THX Ultra II certified, and that spec states: In 1999, THX launched THX Select, and renamed what had previously been called just THX to THX Ultra.
Whereas THX/THX Ultra was specified and designed for rooms "up to" 3000 ft3, THX Select took that requirement down to 2000 ft3. Both the requirements of the amplification and the output of the speakers were scaled back appropriately, placing THX in the hands of a whole new audience who could not have otherwise afforded it.
When it comes to amplification, continuous output tests are run on up to one, four, and five channels (simultaneously) of an Ultra product, but only one at a time on Select. With all products, the dynamic amplifier tests are done on up to all available channels. Ultra amplifiers must be stable on all channels to 3.2 ohms and swing an 18A peak, while Select products must be stable into 4 ohms (front channel) and 8 ohms (surrounds), and swing peaks of 12.5A and 6.2A respectively. Source: THX Ultra Specs I've had nothing but great luck with the Pioneer products I've owned. There is definitely some "brand loyalty" for me, however, I would look hard at another brand if I needed to drive 4 ohms just because I would rather play it safe. I am sure that there wouldn't be any real world issues, but still...
Farewell - June 4, 2020
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
The 988 will run the M80s with out breaking a sweat. Denon is one of the brands that Axiom recommends to drive the m80s as Denon has always used very good P/S and are more than capable of driving the M80s and in my experience with my older 1804, it ran the M80s just as well as my 3808.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
I have been curious about the THX eval of AVRs. I was surprised to see some lower level Onkyos with THX certs. I don't put much value in a THX cert for higher end units as they all meets the needs, but I was surprised some of the lower units could meets the requirements. Or, does that mean THX criteria is just that easy and their stamp of approval really is just marketing hype? Your quote sounds like real evaluation, if 18A, 12.5A, and 6.2A are significant hurdles. Anybody care to explain the significance of those tests to use lay folk?
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Select means they have a lesser P/S in them, as evidenced by the specs, which makes them easier/cheaper to produce and achieve the THX certification. Ultra is now said to be for large rooms which makes sense as a larger room requires more power to attain reference levels.
THX has always just been a guide for those in HT to try to maintain a certain level of quality in the products. For me, I know Denons install good P/S and have very few issues across their entire line up so I do not look for THX with their avr's, other manufacturers I am not so sure of. The THX cert. means I can be assured, the avr can run my M80s to reference volumes in the designated room sizes as found on the THX web site.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
other manufacturers I am not so sure of. The THX cert. means I can be assured, the avr can run my M80s to reference volumes in the designated room sizes as found on the THX web site. That is exactly my situation. Do I go to CC and get a bankruptcy deal on a Onkyo 806 with THX certification - not a product I would normally buy - or wait for the Denon 3809CI that I want? So many around here say all the amps are the same and the 806 has all the features I need - really just HDMI switching and Dolby True HD - so why not? The voice in my head says you get what you pay for and there is a world of difference between a very solid $1500 Denon and a $500 Onkyo. I'm very confused. So what does the power supply amperage rating mean in real terms. I can push my Denon 3300 to its sonic limits. How could a $500 Onkyo be as good. And before everyone says get the Onkyo and order the Emotiva Amp, that gets near the Denon price, and I'd rather one box.
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
If the 806 has the features you want, I wouldn't hesitate to get one. If you don't like it you could still resell it for the same amount as $500 is a steal. The 806 is a very stout performer from the lab testing/reviews, it lacks some of the other features you would be paying for with the 3808, biggest ones being the GUI and network connectivity, for which you pay a premium. Onkyos are also known for running a little warmer than Denons so there must be a few cents saved in heat sink materials etc. Denon has a pretty rock solid image and name, another thing you end up paying for. 806 review
Last edited by jakewash; 02/12/09 09:10 PM. Reason: added link to a review
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
Thanks for the site, I had not seen that review. Oh, and my wife does not like you - she says our HT sounds fine so why do I need a new AVR. You won't be getting a Christmas card this year.
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,361 |
I was on the way out the door, then I read the review... The bottom line is that if you have nothing else, the 806's video processor is nice, especially for something like HD Cable or Satellite boxes which at best turn out their native 1080i60 signal format. For hard core DVD aficionados there is no question an Oppo 983 player is still your best bet, yet not "passed through" the Onkyo. Why? The 806 is NOT capable of unaltered HDMI repeating! At the very least it drops below black (even if the source is component analogue video).
Ultimately you are better running source straight to display, but that is going to be a problem for Blu-Ray since you MUST run it through the Onkyo in order for it to strip the HD audio from the HDMI stream. This could very well be a deal breaker for many users and we hope that Onkyo can repair this flaw via firmware in the future (although without knowing the root cause we cannot say whether that is even a possibility).
Houston, we have problem. My main goal in the upgrade (or sidways grade, I guess) is to add HDMI switching. If the video signal is not able to pass through without being degraded, I'm not buying. Thanks again for the information, saved me much frustration as I would have found this out post-purchase.
Panny 3000 PJ, 118" Carada, Denon 3300, PS3, Axiom QS8, PSB 5T, B&W sub, levitating speaker wire
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Re: Energy Speakers
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458 |
So does this mean Jay gets his Christmas card?
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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