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M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
#158105 02/09/07 04:26 AM
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Kudos Axiom. You said my speakers would arrive on Friday, and here it is Thursday and they're all set up in my den.

I'll post a more detailed comparison/review tomorrow after I get everything calibrated correctly, but so far, the M80's are fantastic. Soundstage is incredible, depth and sparkle is outstanding, and the rich, full sound that I've been craving is there. So much more presence than the M22's.

Also bought the Emotiva LPA-1 amp, as I needed something to drive the 4-ohm M80's. This is my first experience owning a dedicated amplifier, and even with really crummy RCA cables (soon to be corrected) I can most definitely tell a difference. Powered by my Pioneer (yeah, I had to try it even though it's not rated to drive 4ohm loads), the M80's sound introverted, cold, and just plain weak. With the LPA, they sound like they should - bold, powerful, and spacious. Heck, even my old M22's sound better powered with this thing - significantly improved bass response compared to the Pioneer! I'm amazed!!

I'd be scared to hear these things on Emotiva's top of the line MPS!


M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2
SVS Pci+ 20-39
Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1
M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
PeterChenoweth #158106 02/09/07 04:46 AM
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Glad you got a good amp for them M80's, they really are wasted otherwise.

Get decent RCA cables but don't spend too much. Anything well terminated and well shielded will do, no need to get those $100 Monster cables. I used Radio Shack cables that I paid about $25 for 3, and they're more than good enough.

Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
ravi_singh #158107 02/09/07 05:07 AM
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Well, the RCA cables I'm using tonight/tomorrow are some leftover ones from my 'miscellaneous cables' box. Literally the kind that come free with a CD player, VCR, etc. They're pretty thin and skinny .

No, I don't intend on buying $100 cables.


M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2
SVS Pci+ 20-39
Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1
M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
PeterChenoweth #158108 02/09/07 05:16 AM
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Pete, doesn't matter how thin they are unless the run would be hundreds of feet or unusually severe EMI(highly unlikely)made a more heavily shielded coaxial cable desirable. Generally, if the RCA plugs fit well, that's all that can be asked of the cables.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
JohnK #158109 02/09/07 07:01 AM
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Quote:

Pete, doesn't matter how thin they are unless the run would be hundreds of feet or unusually severe EMI(highly unlikely)made a more heavily shielded coaxial cable desirable. Generally, if the RCA plugs fit well, that's all that can be asked of the cables.



Yeah, but, they don't look as cool!

I think we're gonna need some pics of your gear, Pete. What do you say?


*Michael*
AV123 Refugee - X-LS Encore, X-Voce, X-Omnis, Elt-Dpa's
Denon AVR-591
Magnavox NB500MGX BDP

Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
richeydog #158110 02/09/07 06:28 PM
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Pete - check monoprice for some excellent cable choices that are priced incredibly low.

Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
Ray3 #158111 02/09/07 06:53 PM
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Sounds like you have found audio-bliss. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and impressions. I'm sure the system will please for many years to come.

Congrats.


-Dave

M80s VP150 QS8s EP500s
ravenmanor.com/cinema/
Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
PeterChenoweth #158112 02/09/07 06:56 PM
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>>So much more presence than the M22's.>>

Lets be nice now...


Producer | Composer
www.robbhutzal.com
Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
Hutzal #158113 02/09/07 07:06 PM
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Actually I'm impressed at how good the M22's are compared to the M80's. Seriously. The M80's have more presence in the room, and are more faithful at reproducing that 'whole orchestra spread out in front of you' feeling. They have better bass response, obviously, but everything else about them is just like a bigger, meaner M22.

I love the M80's, they're not going back, but these showcase just how damn fine the M22's really are. There's nothing wrong with M22's at all, and I will continue to use mine as rear surrounds as I do a lot of surround SACD listening.

I can say one thing for sure: dedicated amplification rocks. I have a pretty decent receiver. Not the worst, certainly not the best - but a solid receiver. There is most definitely a difference in powering even the m22's with the dedicated amp vs. the receiver. I don't think I will ever go back to a non-dedicated amplifier system.

Quote:

>>So much more presence than the M22's.>>

Lets be nice now...





M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2
SVS Pci+ 20-39
Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1
M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
Re: M80's + LPA-1: They're ALIVE!!
PeterChenoweth #158114 02/10/07 12:44 AM
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Congrats Peter,

You should hear my m80's with my Emotiva MPS-1. I started with just two monoblocks for now to drive the 80's and can easily upgrade the center and surrounds at a later time. Gotta love 300 watts into 4 ohms.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


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