Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38853 03/27/04 04:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
al1en Offline OP
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
After lurking here for several months I have finally taken the plunge, sold my bike and am ready to seriously upgrade my home theater. I have been discussing my set-up with Alan, but I wanted to see what you guys think.

I have already ordered a SVS PB2-isd and am now ready to order my Axioms, but can't decide between the M60s and M80s to go with the VP150 and QS8s.

My room is 14 x 25 x 7.5 with my listening position about 15 feet back from the speakers. The speakers will be placed either side of my 65" Mits TV. Space from back wall and side wall should not be a problem.

I know that I do not really need the M80s, but feel that if they would work well in this room then that would future-proof my choices and prevent the dreaded upgradeitis.

I also need help on receiver choices. I have been considering the following:

Yamaha RX-V2400 (Alan does not recommend for M80s)
Denon 3803
H/K 7200

I would like to get opinions from members who have these receivers on how they perform with this setup, particulary how they handle the M80 beasts.

I will be using the setup for roughly 60% home theater, 30% music and 10% DVD-Audio.

TIA,

David


M60s, VP150, QS8s(3), SVS PB12-isd, Denon 3805, Emotiva UPA-7
Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38854 03/27/04 04:23 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
M60s.
Save your money and lessen your worry about the receiver load.
Any of those receivers will be excellent.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38855 03/27/04 05:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 195
veteran
Offline
veteran
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 195
I can speak for the Yamaha 2400... the only difference between the 2400 and 1400 was: a bit more power, some different ICs and capacitors, and the ability to rev the firmware. I didn't think the difference warranted the extra money, and went with the 1400. The power has never been an issue, since I haven't even got close to any sign of distortion driving the M60s.

The Yamaha turned out to be a great choice for me. Its interface is extremely ergonomic, and ease of use is pretty impressive. The auto setup feature was really fun to play with, but in the end – I couldn’t help but tweak many of the settings. But, it gives you a great starting point. The entire device is the quintessential mark of quality: solid at the touch, each knob has that "solid and smooth" feel, at 37 lbs. it's strong, good craftsmanship even down to the remote (not like the flimsy Denon remote I got with my DVD player... I love the 2200 though -- please don't misconstrue, that puppy rocks!).

I read a lot of great things about the Denon amp, but in the end -- it came down to a "touchy feely" decision for me. And, the Yamaha had the right look and feel for me. Good luck with your decision, any of the 3 are going to make your mouth drop when you hear the axioms. It’s a very cool moment when you turn it on the first time, and listen to the first song.


Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38856 03/27/04 05:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 193
J
veteran
Offline
veteran
J
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 193
I have M60s (+ VP150 and QS8s) in a 16x24 room with a 16' ceiling. They sound GREAT!!!! I don't plan on ever having a room bigger than that, so I never considered the M80s. You'll love either, but my rec is the M60s.

John

Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38857 03/27/04 06:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
R
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
R
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
David, I'm in a 16x22x10 room with the M60s and a Denon 3803. I went through all of the research you did before I put it all together. It is an excellent system. I was worried about "what if" relative to the M80s, but that lasted for about 10 minutes, the M60s are great .

In speaking to Joe, I explained that we are now empty nesters and will be downsizing in 12-24 months. The plan is to have a 25x30 great room. Joe felt (and I now agree) that the M60s will fill that space as well. The 60s are also a bit less finicky concerning placement.

I'm also in agreement about the Yammy. Nice gear, but finishes 3rd in your list. Doesn't appear to be high on Alan's list as I continue to see his postings. BTW, if you opt for the M60s, that will free up $300 and you might consider the Denon 3805. The 3803 is wonderful and the 3805 doesn't offer a whole lot more, but it is something to consider.

The really good news - you can't make a mistake here. Shop 'til you are happy.

Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38858 03/27/04 06:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
al1en Offline OP
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
OK then, M60s it is. That will make the g/f happy.

Which leaves me with the final decision of which amp:

Yamaha RX-V2400
or
Denon 3803 / 3805

Actually, hold that - I think I will definitely go with the Yamaha 2400 after reading some reviews on both. Seems like the best bang for the buck.

Last edited by al1en; 03/27/04 06:57 PM.

M60s, VP150, QS8s(3), SVS PB12-isd, Denon 3805, Emotiva UPA-7
Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38859 03/27/04 08:41 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 438
devotee
Offline
devotee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 438
Order the M60's. Then take the $300 you save and get a pair of M2's for rear surrounds. If you are listening to a lot of DVD-A, you will want direct radiating speakers in the rear. Just make sure your reciever has a way of directing the surround channel output from your DVD-A player to the rear channels of your amp. This means having a 7.1 receiver with a full set of 7.1 pre-ins.

Mark


"Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff"
Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38860 03/28/04 04:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
al1en Offline OP
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
I will use the $300 I saved towards the amp. I actually sold my bike (Yamaha R1) to upgrade my home theater. Since I got a little more for it than I initially expected I can go ahead and get the amp now too.

You make a good point on the rear surrounds (channels 6 & 7). I wasn't going to wire them initially, but I guess I can use my Tannoy bookshelf speakers for these channels in the mean time, then later upgrade them to M2s or M3s to match the rest of the system.

None of the rest of my speakers would work back there - Mordaunt Short MS25i towers, Cerwin Vega LS12s, Bose crappy bookshelves (were the g/f's).

WAF is not an issue for me, the basement is mine and she doesn't really care too much about aesthetics down here. Although she didn't like my idea of carpeting the walls.

The Yammie RX-V2400 only has 5.1 inputs while the Denon 3803 / 3805 have 7.1. Hmmm, might have to think some more about the Denon unless I can assign it to use the rears on the Yammie when using the 5.1 inputs for DVD-Audio.

The Yamaha site said the 2400 doesn't have a direct mode but th Audioholics review said it does, can anyone claify this?

Thanks,

Dave


Last edited by al1en; 03/28/04 04:32 PM.

M60s, VP150, QS8s(3), SVS PB12-isd, Denon 3805, Emotiva UPA-7
Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38861 03/28/04 05:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
al1en Offline OP
old hand
OP Offline
old hand
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
I can almost type.

"The Yamaha site said the 2400 doesn't have a direct mode but the Audioholics review said it does, can anyone clarify this?"



M60s, VP150, QS8s(3), SVS PB12-isd, Denon 3805, Emotiva UPA-7
Re: M80 vs M60 & amp recommendations
#38862 03/29/04 03:03 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 27
S
hobbyist
Offline
hobbyist
S
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 27
Hi Allen,

I hope you are as happy as I am with the Yamaha 2400, M60s, VP150, and QS8s. I also have a 65" Mitsubishi. My sub is a Velodyne DLS4000. My room is 18 x 15 and listening position 15' from the fronts.

The Yamaha has 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, configurations and outputs for Front "Presennce" speakers. I guess that makes 9.1 if you have enough speakers and wire.

There is a direct mode for the 2400. There is no separate sub output in direct mode. I think they want you to use the crossover in the sub.

There is also a "2 channel stereo" mode. I believe this uses the 2400 DSP, but it gives outputs to the 2 fronts and an output to the sub. The crossover is done electronically in the 2400. It is wonderful, and it is probably what you will use becuase the 2400 YPAO will equalize the frequency response of each speaker, set relative delays, and relative levels of each speaker, automatically. Uses a mic. which plugs into the 2400. It also gives you a chance to switch between direct and 2 channel mode so you can find out how fantasticly low your M60s go even relative to M60s with a sub.

I guess you can tell I would recommend the 2400 and M60s. The movie and music experience is pretty fantastic.






Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 145 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4