Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Amplifier

Getting ready to pull the trigger on the ADA-1500 but I wanted to see what others' opinions are regarding the number of channels needed. I was considering amplifying all 5 channels and only running the in-ceiling speakers off of the AVR but is the extra power needed for the rear surrounds or would the AVR be enough power for them if the front stage is on a 3 channel amp?

IMO i wouldn't worry so much about the surrounds. Your mains and centre will pull alot more power and if you take the front three load off the receiver, the AVR will have plenty of overhead for the remaining surrounds.

I'm planning on putting my Anthem MCA30 in the HT room to power the front three while the new Denon will power the 4 surrounds. If i were going to add more surrounds into a 9.2 system, i would probably consider more external ampage.
Unless you expect to have ear bleeding sound in a very large room such that the AVR may be driven too hard. This situation always seems rather rare. I cant' say i've seen anyone's typical HT room be so large that you need a ton of power.

What are you running for in-ceiling? The rears will be the QS10s? And you are still planning to upgrade to actives?

Yes. 5ch 1500.

Yes, eventually I plan to upgrade to actives so if I did a 3 channel now it would still power the center and surrounds down the road or if I go 5 channel it would power one of the actives down the road.

Rears for now are the qs10s. I’ll run the axiom or paradigm in ceiling speakers when I get to that point.

I don't know what to tell you for the in-ceiling because I don't run Atmos. I can tell you I've measured 280W peaks in the QS10s that I use as sides. I have my QS10s crossed at 40Hz.

If you plan on such future additions then yes, fill that ADA1500 with all channels now. No point in doing it retroactively.
Assuming you have the cash of course.

I opted for the 5 channel. If I want it I’ll have it and if I don’t need it I can run 3 channels. Besides I’ll be up one 1500 towards the actives.

I run all my main 7 speakers with my Outlaw amp, and my 4 ceiling speakers are driven with an Emotiva. See signature.