I was curious if the statement you guys made was true-- about the 700-watt continuous program to the M80's for 100 hours, and your conservative rating of 400 watts for the pair? Also, what amplification do you use for your burn-in tests of the M80s?
Do you recomend a sub when driving the M80s to unload the low frequencies from the M80's woofers for more efficiency out of them? Best wishes, -- Rusty
Hello Rusty,
Thanks for your e-mail and the interesting question.
Before Axiom developed its A1400-8 digital power amplifier, we used to use Yamaha professional digital amplifiers to do our power testing of the M80s because we could get up to 600 watts out of the Yamahas. Now we use the Axiom A1400-8 amp because it's more powerful and will deliver up to 1200 watts into 2 ohms with one channel driven, or 800 watts per channel stereo into 2 ohms.
There is a standardized test for heat using modified pink noise for 5 hours, however, this test does not stress the mechanical action of the magnet/voice-coil/diaphragm motor assembly. Ian uses the pink noise test to design a driver, but for the dynamic testing we use music signals, which test for both mechanical and heat stress.
Under those conditions, the M80s sustain up to 800 watts dynamic peaks with no damage. Driver destruction occurs at 1200 watts.
As to recommending particular amplifiers, it all depends on what kind of high-volume levels you want to achieve, in what size of room. For many listeners, a power amplifier with 150 or 200 watts per channel will be ample. For others who demand clean very high playback levels to 110 dB SPL or more at their listening seat, then you'll need at least 350 watts per channel or more with the M80s. Generally speaking, get as much power as you can afford. Axiom's A1400-8 is expensive, but it's among the world's most powerful amplifiers.
Lastly, yes, we always recommend a powerful subwoofer together with the M80s, as a really good subwoofer such as the Axiom EP600 or EP500 will always extend and increase low bass output deeper than that which the M80s can produce on their own.
Regards,
Alan Lofft
