Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Monoblocks and the M60

Hey all. While I'm patiently waiting on my Axiom M60s to get here(I'm 2-1/2 weeks into the 4 week wait. It's killing me)I've been thinking about what amp/s I'm going to use with these.
I have an Emotiva UPA-5 running my 5.1 system now, but will be moving to a 7.1 when the M60s come in.
I want to use monoblocks on the M60s. I've been looking at the UPA-1 and Outlaw m2200. I'm strongly leaning toward the m2200(especially with the sale going on), but I have a concern about the 1.7v needed for full output. I use a Yamaha RX-v665 as a pre-pro which only utilize a 1v preouts.
Can any math wizards here tell me what the output of the m2000 will be @ 1v?
Also, are the m2200 a good match to the M60?

Tony, I wonder if the maximum voltage output of the 665 is actually 1 volt. What's the source of that spec? Be that as it may, power is proportional to the square of the voltage(Ohm's Law), so if both those numbers(1.7 volts and 1 volt)are actually accurate, the relative maximum power outputs would be in the ratio of 1(squared)to 1.7(squared)or 1 to 2.89. The output with 1 volt input would be about 35% of the output with 1.7 volts.

As to a "good match", any good amplifier which is transparent works well. There's no sonic coloration produced by the amplification which would be harmful.

Thanks for the reply JohnK.
The source of the info is directly from the Yamaha site.
So in essence the M2200 hooked up to the RX-V665 will produce 130W? So we're talking an approx. 2 dB difference in output.
Great! I guess I'll go with the Outlaws.

Also, My speakers shipped about a week and a half early. I think Axiom has the same policy I try to live by...Underpromise, Overdeliver.

I hear ya Argon. I'm just chomping at the bit to hear them(and see them). I ordered the High gloss burled walnut. The finish seems pretty bold, but my wife is an aspiring interior decorator so it should look great with our decor. When I showed them to my wife she said oh, get those.

I'd consider keeping her if I were you.

Tony be sure to post your thoughts on the performance of the M2200's many of us here, well I know I am one for sure, are looking to those as possible future purchases.

She has put up with me for 15 yrs. so far.



Jake. I will.
I'm planning on putting my order in this afternoon when I get home so the amps will more than likely arrive before my Axioms come in, but I will hook them up to my current Polk Audio Monitor 50s and report back if I notice a difference between m2200 and the UPA-5.
I'll report back too when the Axioms arrive.

Tony: Got my M60's in Nov. (in maple semi-g). They look great, and the performance makes me late for every appointment I've had since I got 'em. And I'll vote for the Outlaw 2200's, too. The price/performance is unmatchable, especially at the moment. And yes, the wait for my speakers drove me mad.

I know many others will refute this. It is, afterall, anecdotal and not backed up with bench tests. I thought they sounded very disapponting out of the box. I left 'em receiving signal 24 hrs. for a few days. Happy, happy!

I know what you mean Bob. I hear conflicting reports on break in/burn in. Also, I hear conflicting reports on monoblocks vs. multi channel as far as separation, sound stage, crosstalk, etc etc. Unfortunately I live in an area where we do not have shops that sell a lot of audio equipment for me to audition to make an educated decision so I research everything on the net and buy on blind faith. So far so good.

No, Tony; if the 35% figure is actually justified, that equates to 70 watts relative to the 200 watt rating. I took a quick look at the 665 manual, and the spec is for the "rated" output, with no indication of the basis of the rating. It may be at a very low distortion number and the maximum output may be significantly higher than 1 volt.

Oh. Got it John. Thanks. So what you're saying is Yamaha takes a distortion number that looks good to them and bases the output off that. I see the rated spec in the manual states 1.0v/1.2kΩ.
How would you go about measuring the actual output of the preout?

If you happen to have a multimeter the voltage can be measured following the instructions for an AC voltage measurement(at the tip and shield of the RCA plug on the connecting cable). A better idea might be to contact Yamaha customer service and ask what the maximum output actually is.

Thanks John. I guess I will head into Radio Shack and pick up a multimeter.
I really don't think this is an issue, but when I get something in my head I have to follow through.

Well. I just got word yesterday that my M60s in HG Burled walnut just shipped out yesterday and will be here on Tues. My outlaws will be in tomorrow and my new cables will here today.
The neighbors are going wonder why the FedEx guy is at my house so much.
Man it's going to be long weekend until the M60s arrive.

Haha! that suspense is a killer. When you get everything together, be sure to post your impressions of both the M60's and the Outlaws, Tony.

That's great that your dlivery was moved up some. I ordered some furniture back in the middle of February and haven't recieved it yet. They advertised 4-6 weeks, told me it would likely take closer to 8 weeks and here I sit at 10 weeks and counting....

Here's hoping things move faster than anticipated and the speakers arrive Friday.

Perhaps a visit from a terrifying terrorist would speed up the delivery a little.

We're having guests over Sat. If the M60s came in Fri, that would be great, but I wont hold my breath.

I'll post my thoughts on the M60/Outlaw combo when they arrive. I'll do an A/B comparison between the Outlaw monoblocks and multi channel Emotiva UPA-5.

Sounds like a fun experiment, be sure to level match with an SPL meter while listening otherwise the louder one will most likely sound the best.

Got that covered.
I have a tripod and SPL meter ready to go.

amp suggestion:

http://www.amazon.com/Adcom-GFA-5500-Cur...1883896&sr=1-29

comes with a drink holder.

LMAO.
Make sure you run the exhaust out the window before you fire that bad boy up.

My son (3 yo) would be very excited by that. He got his first ride on a mower last week at Great Grandma's house.

Wait, wait, wait, your son is 3 years old now? Where has the time gone?

Don't ask me, I just live here.

Tell me about it! Damn kids are always growing up on us.

You do know that kids who don't grow up usually die before they reach 18, right?

Good thing you guys are still the same age.

Punks.

My daughter isn't a kid anymore. She's done highschool in a month and has plans to move out on her own in the fall. Makes me happy and sad all at the same time.

It's bittersweet isn't it?
My kids are 16 and 12. They're growing up fast.
My son gets his DL in couple more months. That's a scary thought.
My wife and I like to talk about our travel plans when the kids are gone. Like you said, kinda happy kinda sad.

Woohoo. My wife just called to tell me the M60s have been delivered.
Now I have to sit here at work for the next 7 hrs. thinking about them.

This is the time to start making your playlist!

Eat some really hot chili peppers, and while your face is sweating profusely, go tell your boss that you think you have bird flu... If it doesn't work at first, cough on him/her a bit....

Oh, and if THAT doesn't work, keep muttering my SIG line over and over, emphasizing a different word each time:

~~ spiritual messenger cats don't have rectums ~~
~~ spiritual messenger cats don't have rectums ~~
~~ spiritual messenger cats don't have rectums ~~
~~ spiritual messenger cats don't have rectums ~~
~~ spiritual messenger cats don't have rectums ~~
~~ spiritual messenger cats don't have rectums ~~

I am the boss. Unfortunately I'm stuck here until 4:00.
It's OK. The anticipation will make it that much better.

And how is it that you know these things? Quisitive minds want to know.

Well, I know it works when the check comes at those fancy-schmantzy restaurants...

Well, you could stay at the office and have your bird flu too.

Oh. It's getting closer.
I left the office for a couple hours to check a couple job sites out. That helped a little.

U will love the M60 and you will be on medical leaves tomorrow :p

OK. I can only sum it up it one word. WOW!!!
The only speakers I have to compare them to are my Polk Monitor 50s(I know. Not much of a comparison),but wow what a difference.
The highs are so much cleaner and the bass is low and very tight. The M60 are no where near as fatiguing as the Polks. My wife and I must have listened to them for a good 4 hours straight last night.
Playlist:
Corinne Bailey Rae. Like a star(CD)
Coltrane. Trane in. RVG recording(CD)
Diana Krall. Girl in the other room(SACD)
Sade. Best of(CD)
Jack Johnson. On and on(CD)[a very exceptional recording]
As far as the M2200s go... They power the M60s effortlessly to say the least. After 4 hours of listening they didn't get the slightest bit warm.
The sound stage and separation with the M60 and M2200 is incredible.
I especially noticed on Corinne Bailey Rae's CD that her voice was right in the room(for lack of a better term). Cleaner/clearer.
The HG Burled walnut finish is absolutely beautiful. Even though is a vinyl veneer it looks like a real burled walnut. They may be a little bold for some, but they match our decor perfectly and they have WAF to spare. Axiom pays very close attention to detail. Right down to the personalized sticker on the back.
I'm sure I'll have these for years to come.

Awesome!

All of us live vicariously through guys who listen to their new speakers for the first time!

Always a good time when that first set of Axiom's arrives and the many hours of audio pleasure that follow. Congrats!

Careful. Remember, you still have to leave the house, though at present you may see no worthhile reason.
6 months and I'm still hot for my M60's.

"Axiom. Turning sweet spots into wetspots, two ears at a time."

I can't imagine why they wouldn't use that slogan.

You think a couple of M3 v2 with a small tube amp for the office is in order?

kcarlile.
I like you're sig. I used to read that book to my daughter all the time.

You're asking the wrong guy. My justification skills have been finely honed over decades of destruction and devastation. However, if you could also find a portable power suppply for that little tube amp so you could take it all to the beach, then...

'Cause I can't imagine any business wanting to be associated with urine stains, no matter how positive the inference. Maybe a joint ad campaign with Scotchguard? But glad you liked it

Like, "If you buy these (pic of Axioms), you're gonna need this (pic of Scotchguard). Then, "Yeah, they're that good!"
In the TV ad, everyone in the listening room would be using Bose wave radios as dip holders and the big version (with the CD) as footstools.

Kind of reminds me of the mythbusters looking for the elusive "brown note".

No, no, Tony. I said "wetspot." Oh, instead of holding up the Scotchguard spraycan, it could be an adult diaper. Smart, very smart.

I'm just waiting for someone to call Ken Grover.

It's gonna happen!

*keeps fingers crossed*

'round these parts, they used to know me as Bert.

Is it cuz of the deadpan delivery?


Or unibrow?

Let's hope it's not because someone has their hand up....

Yeah, talk about awkward.

Wasn't Ken Grover the foley artist for the environmental sounds on Negative Orange's (thankfully) scuttled New Age album?

I don't know, but I bet CV has the rad wolf t-shirt to prove it.

He's hungry that way.

And he smells like he sounds.




Well, which is good if they aren't SBDs.

Or is that worse?

Should I get 12 gauge or 16 gauge for my QS8's? Too many options i hope you can provide the answer and maybe debate it for a while first.

Brian, it's likely that 16ga will be fine unless the run is unusually long. For a no-nonsense explanation by a veteran audio professional of speaker wire in general, including a table of suggested gauges, see this .

JohnK, i apologize as this is my first sarcastic response on a thread, i just happened to read this thread in its entirety and felt i must contribute to the randomness of topics which are being covered, although i do appreciate the input.


ps. need to reinstall sarcastic font

I'd go with 12, or maybe 14. I bought a nice 250 foot spool from monoprice and stopped worrying. My wires are inwall generally, and it's nice to set it and forget 'em. Do they sound better, I would highly doubt it. But sometimes the mere fact that there are more substatial
is nice.

Btw, my longest run- to patio, zone three is about 60, maybe 70 feet.

Well in that case you should go with the turkey. The corned beef might give you gas...

Random. hehe

No need to install the sarcarstic font. It's already here.

Where's Mark's sig line when you NEED it?

And his avatar. Stewie is the Universal symbol for sarcasm.