Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners advise for M80s and amp

Hello, my current setup consists of Epic 60/500 with VP150 and QS8s, Sony Bravia XBR-40 LCD and Denon 3808. Very happy with the sound quality and I am seriously considering trading up my M60s to M80s and adding an amp for more dynamics. I am seeking superior SQ and MUCH more volume mainly for music.

Is it possible to add a pro audio amplifier in the 350 watts RMS range to power the M80's and run the rest of the system with the 3808? I don't want to get to technical and keep costs down while upgrading. I'm pretty much a noob so any detailed explanations are greatly appreciated. I have been looking at the Beringher EP 2000 Europower amp at PE for $299. Any suggestions for amps in the same price point/power specs? I have no experience with pro audio but it seems like the biggest bang for the buck. Thanks for feedback.

Demetrios, you haven't described the distance of your listening position or the actual SPL levels that you want, but the 3808 can easily drive the M60s to beyond a safe listening level in most situations. If you want "MUCH" more volume, a concern should be the possibility of permanent hearing damage.

So, are you pushing your current system to its maximum volume? How big is your space and how close to you sit when you listen?

The M80 will certainly play VERY loud and can handle a lot of power. From what I know the EP200/300/400 work just fine to power speakers, but at lower volumes fan noise can be an issue.

You might also want to look at QSC(GX), and Tapco/Mackie amps as well. Make sure you get the connections you want on a pro amp, some only have speakon connections where others have connections for all speaker wiring types.

Sorry guys forgot to mention my listening space is 12x14 (living room) which opens up to additional rooms such as the kitchen and hallway. I do realise that exposure to high spl levels over time can result in hearing damage. I watch a lot of music DVDs and tend to watch them at moderately loud levels. Usually -10 to -15 db on the Denon receiver. Music at around -25 to -30db. Sometimes I feel as though the signal sounds compressed or light to moderate clipping at higher levels which leads to ear fatigue. Your probably saying "well it's to loud man" but I believe more power and speakers that can handle it will produce crystal clear detailed music reproduction that will not produce ear fatigue. Does this theory make sense? Would I use RCAs to link the Denon to the external amp? Would the Denon still allow me to control the EQ to the M80's and video processing for movies etc. Can I adjust the output of the external amp to level match with the other speakers? I have only used my receiver as a power source so I'm not quite sure how to configure everything with an external amp. Also, does a rack mount amp need to be mounted in a rack or can it sit in my TV shelf with the other equipment? Sorry for the armature questions, just trying to pre-plan things before I pull the trigger. Thanks for your responses.

Thats a small living room. I would be very surprised if you are reaching amp clipping on your 3808. I'm driving my M80s with a 2808 and have had no such issues in a 12x21 room.

I have listened quite loud at times.

Yes, you can level match the LR channels of your amp with the other speakers. Not sure how Audessey would work in this situation though. You would probably have to level match manually. The rackmount amp can sit on a shelf. Air flow is usually font to back or back to front on pro amps.

A divorce took care of my listening fatigue and cost me less than any of the amps I’ve looked at.

The 3808 and any external amp should result in some very loud playback. I was able to run Audyssey with no problems when I had use of the A1400.

Just upgrading to the M80s over the M60s will give you a little more volume as the 3808 is very robust and can deliver ample power to the 4 ohm M80s.

Hi Demetrios, Perhaps you have a setting on your 3808 that is keeping the volume down. If you have Dynamic Volume turned on then you have to turn up the volume pretty loud for music (at least I feel I need to). You might check to see if there are other settings that might be limiting the output. I'm not a fan of DV so I don't use it but I keep Dynamic EQ turned on because I often listen at lower volumes when other people are around and it works great for that.

-Dave

^^ That's a good suggestion. With such a small room, I'm surprised the 3808 doesn't meet the OP's needs. Maybe he's running the mains full range, so at extreme db levels the Denon is clipping?