I'm i've been looking at the Onkyo DS494 receiver. It is rated at 55 Watts X 5. Will this be enough power to run a pair of M3Ti's (and possibly a VP100 center channel and surrounds) in a medium-sized room? I'm not interested in being able to play at ear-splitting volumes, but I would like to put out a decent amount of sound every once in a while.

Also, as a general rule, how high can you run a mid-level amp like an Onkyo before you get clipping and damage your speakers?

thanks

This is a great receiver for your desired performance in a medium sized room. Clipping usually occurs beyond 1 o'clock on the volume knob but it is very dependant on the source material and the equalization settings. If things start to distort you have hit clipping.

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer

Thanks for the quick response, Ian! I appreciate it.
I have one more quick question:
Would an EP 175 seriously out-perform the 125 with this system? I'm not interested in having room-shaking bass for movies, but is the EP 125 a good match for the M3's or will bass be lacking in music?

I recently set up a system for a relative with the Onk 494 as a hub- the speakers I used are NOT axioms, but have around the same effeicency rating as the M3. The Onk has no problem powering them, and sounds pretty good.

BTW- 55 watts of Onk is equal to about 100 or so overrated watts from other less scrupulous manufacturers.

I think the EP125 would be fine in a medium sized room but with subs the larger the better. If the EP175 is not too large for you I would got with it.

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer

Since that is the case, when does the EP500 come out? :-)

It is here. We also call it 2 EP350s :)

Ian Colquhoun
President & Chief Engineer