Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M80 Question...

Phil, a good amplifier power range to run the M80s is no more than would be required for maximum safe listening levels at the listening position. In the vast majority of cases the typical receivers rated anywhere in the 100 watt area do the job.

Very true, you're insight is dead on. However this is assuming our friend Phil here is the type of guy that wants to remain below safe playback levels. This only holds true for the majority of people, 5% of the population is clinically insane and screams, "Damn the torpedo's" while cranking 'Safety Dance' by Men Without Hats past 120 dbs... like me!!!

I realize it's hard to fathom when that sort of thing doesn't interst you in the least, but from what I gather, Ian Colquhoun (the designer of the M80's) fit's into that 5% himself. How else can you explain the A1400? Of course Ian's listening room could very well be larger than most of our homes for all I know. So keeping this on a personal experience level I'll just say that once I pushed the volume knob past 55 on the 100 watt reciever I was experimenting with, the M80's started to break up, sounding as if I'd blown every driver in the speaker. However I hadn't reached the limit of the M80's, I'd reached the limit of what a 100 watt reciever could do with an M80. There is more performance than that inside an M80... there are DANGEROUS levels of sonic capabilities locked within those cabinet walls, you just have to feed it enough power to squeeze it out.

JohnK is the voice of reason on this board Phil. He'll have excellent hearing well into his 90's. While I on the other hand will have to cram an M3 into my ear to use as a hearing aid within the next decade. So you just have to ask yourself, am I a level headed sort of fellow like John? If so then you will probably do very well with just about any 100 watt reciever you can get your hands on.

But if you're drawn to the dark side of the force like Darth Vader and I, you might tag that Emotiva website in your favorites list for future reference.

I think generally speaking, the majority of people have a "similar" listening level but let's be honest, there's a lot of music that just sounds better with some some extra juice applied. Take a song like 'Hot Blooded' or 'All Right Now' for example, they just enter a new dimension when you put the hammer down!

Or add alcohol

Remember the scene in 'Boogie Nights' where Mark and his buddies go to rip that drug dealer off and he's blaring 'Sister Christian' by Night Ranger while that little gay Asian guy is lighting off firecrackers the whole time??? Well that is sort of like a peak into my home life..... without the firecrackers.

Sounds exciting Micah.

Well I don't mean to brag, but I do look awful good in a pair of bikini underware and a silk robe!

Way too much information!

It coulda been worse, I resisted posting up pictures to prove my point.

Oh man I have been awake for 23 hrs now and still at work...did I mention I hate drilling rigs? Anyway I was going to say somthing but forgot what the thread is all about. I will recap and repost at a better time when I do not have "safety dance and bikini underwear" in my mind. I still have work to do LOL.

Later
Phil