Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions sacd on m80 speakers

Has anybody tried using sacd's on their m80's? The high frequency limit on the m80's is 22,000 khz's.My understanding is that the sacd format needs a much higher HF response. What"s about add on super tweeters? The one's iv'e seen cost a fortune.

I have several SACDs and have M60s, VP150, QS8, and Hsu VTF-3R. Keep in mind you generally can't hear over 20Khz. If you're over 30 you probably can't hear that high.

I my opinion the advantage of SACDs isn't the higher sample rate, but the higher quality mixing and mastering in the production. Even this varies from album to album, based on the recording and mixing engineers, production facilities, etc.

I have several DVD-A albums and the Digital Dolby 5.1 track sounds as good as SACD, despite a much lower sample rate (which is still far above 44khz-sampled CDs).

If the SACD is multichannel surround (some are stero only), that's often a big source of improvment, if the surround is intelligently and tastefully done.

My advice is you don't need super tweeters -- your M80s are already super enough!!

If you don't already have them, get some Axiom QS8 surrounds, a VP150 center, and a good sub like the EP350 or higher. THOSE will make a difference you'll hear.

ditto

Yep. I believe the idea of the higher sampling rate is as much to get the sampling rate AWAY from 2x the tweeter cutoff "Nyquist's perfect world criteria", not have you go out and buy super-duper tweeters.

As others have said, unless you are 12 or part hound dog you aren't gonna hear anything over 20k anyways.

Arthur, Joe's analysis is right on target. Don't worry about theoretical advantages which no human being can actually hear. Many DVD-As(including the DD and/or DTS tracks on them)and SACDs sound better, but that appears to be due to better mixing and mastering(aside from the possibility of surround channels), not higher sampling rates or bits. The 16 bit/44.1KHz standard for CDs is ample for the limits of our ears and the dynamic range of the material which is recorded. Enjoy your speakers and don't waste your money.