Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Choosing a receiver

hopefully by the end of the summer, I'll be the proud owner of some Axioms. I'm debating which receiver to get. Here's my choices and why I'm leaning towards that one:

Denon AVR-3805:
Dolby Pro Logic IIx
cheaper

Denon AVR-4802R:
THX certified
Has bass management
more wattage per channel (125, instead of 110 like the 3805)

Anyone help me out?
I'm wondering how important that bass management is, how much 15 more watts will make, and how important THX or DPL IIx is.
Here's the speakers the receiver will be powering:
Pair of M60s
VP150 Center
4 QS8
EP350 sub

I think the general consensus here is:

THX certified is not going to make a difference,
Bass Management will be desirable if you listen to DVD-A/SACD,
The 15 watts difference will not matter much with the speakers you've listed.

Well...from what I know, focusing on the THX thing, most receivers are "worthy" enough to receive the THX standard label. All it means is that a receiver has met certain guidelines AND were willing to spend the money to put THX on the faceplate of their receiver. You see, there are a number of receivers out there that are "worthy" to receive the THX label, but just don't pay to have it. It cuts down the costs to the manufacturer and to us the buyers.

So again, it's a standard. There is nothing "electronically" different about these receivers. It just means their up to snuff on what THX deems as good enough to play movies at certain volumes in certain sized rooms. That's all.

As far as watts go. I have a Harman Kardon 630. It's rated at 75 watts per channel (x7). I NEVER use all it's power and I'm in a fairly large room (15x20x20). Don't get caught up in a matter of 15 watts (and actually the 3805 is rated at 120 watts, so it's really on 5 watts we're talking now). Denon is a solid receiver and Axioms are very highly efficient speakers. No worries in either department. Either receiver will be fine.

As far as bass management, all receivers generally have some level of bass management. To my knowledge the bass management is actually more extensive on the 3805, but mildly different. Bass management is where I especially love the Harman Kardons because they're selectable crossovers per channel region (fronts, center, surrounds, rear surrounds) as opposed to just global (i.e. - all at 80 Hz). Though all at 80 Hz is generally good enough.

In my opinion (if it's all about getting a Denon receiver) I'd go with the 3805 unless having a few more watts brings you comfort. The biggest gain I could see would really be more DSPs (surround sound settings) in the 4802-R. Otherwise the 3805 is the newer unit with many more features and bang for the buck. IMHO. Either way, paired with Axiom I'm sure you'll be quite happy.

ditto with misfit.. THX is over-rated. dont base your decision on that. i am pushing 100 watts with M60's, QS8's, and a VP150 and it is LOUD.. really LOUD.. and a crossover setting of 80Hz is gonna work fine. you might wanna go down to 60Hz with M60's, i have mine set to 80Hz, and everything sounds great.

bigjohn

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All it means is that a receiver has met certain guidelines AND were willing to spend the money to put THX on the faceplate of their receiver.

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It's kind of like being a member of the Better Business Bureau - pay your $200 for the year, and you get a plaque to hang in your business.

Bren R.

The THX thing won't do much for you. Also, I don't understand the 4802. It doesn't merit the extra $$$ in relation to the 3805 for the vast majority of folks. Kind of falls into a bragging rights area. I'm using a 3803 and it is terrific; the 3805 will be an excellent choice.

Good speaker array, although your choice of 4 QS8s suggests that you are looking to jumping right into 7.1. Frankly, there isn't enough 6.1 or 7.1 out there yet to warrant the 2 extra speakers. When you do make the leap, use the QS8s as your surrounds and get a pair of M2tis for your rears.

I'm pretty much convinced I'm just going to go for the 3805, mostly for the money/value factor it has, and because I was never fully convinced to pay $800 more for a product that doesn't do much more for my music and movie experience.
I do want to have the 6.1 at least, because I have enough of my favorite movies that use that back channel and that would lose a lot without it, and plus I think that 7.1 would just give me better dimention. I'm wondering though why you think I should go for M2ti's for back surrounds. Anyone else have thoughts?

Jason, in my view the 3805 would clearly be the better choice. I don't follow your reference to bass management, as that appears to be about the same. As to the power rating, even if there was a 15 watt difference(it's 5), that would be only about 0.5dB difference(e.g. if one could handle 115dB on peaks, the other could do 115.5). You're unlikely to use the full power of either, even on peaks, and bear in mind that a comfortably loud listening level uses 1-2 watts. THX certification is fine as an assurance of amp quality, but I don't think that there should be any concern on that point about the 3805.

The 3805 has the advantage of Denon's new automatic calibration and equalization(with microphone about $60 extra). From your speaker choices(could consider M2s for the back)you have 7.1 in mind and definitely would want DPLIIx for that. DPLII can do an excellent job with stereo sources in extracting ambience for 5.1(to the extent that the recording contains ambience for it to work with)and DPLIIx extends that ability to 7.1 for both stereo and 5.1 sources.

Skillet, I have a 7.1 system and love it. You not only use it for 6.1 DTS-ES movies, but anytime you watch a DD-EX movie you get additional information sent to the rear speakers. Plus, in my case, I feel that the 2 additional speakers just fill out the room better. Definitely gives you the feeling of something being behind you. My friend has a 7.2 system and he uses a Denon 3803 and is very happy with his arrangement. I use QS8s for the side surrounds and M2s for the rear surrounds. If you were going with a 6.1, I'd say use a QS8 for the rear surround, but since you are going for 7.1, go with the M2s.

First, they'd make the sound more directional from the rear sound. Plus with seven speakers you can take any 5.1 movie and make it a virtual 7.1 (which basically the surrounds just duplicate themselves) but it remains more seperate. With 2 QS8s in the rear surround you'd have too much sound dispersion and not enough directionality...unless you have a huge, wide room (which most do not).

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since you are going for 7.1, go with the M2s

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Plus you can listen to SACD's and DVD-A's using the M2 rear surrounds, which sounds much better than using QS side surrounds IMO.

Mark