The product page from Axiom says "Will work best with a large receiver or separate power amp."

What constitutes a "large receiver"? Will my Denon x4400H be enough or will I end up needing to buy a separate power amp?

Thanks,
Chris

Hey Chris, I'd say that depends on a few factors:
-How big is your listening space?
-How loud do you like to listen?
-Will the 4400H be driving any other speakers?

The Denon is a pretty solid unit, and will do a pretty good job driving the speakers. A separate amp, especially for the LCR speakers, will be a major step forward with ANY good speakers.

As your Denon has pre-outs, think of it as a nice future upgrade if you want "more" in the future.

You'll be sitting 13 feet away, just like I am. With my Onk, which is similar to your Denon, my M5/160/QS10/800 combo can easily exceed THX reference level (105 dBC peaks) for BluRays via my PS3. The Onk still has a good 10 dB to spare. I'll tell you that for movie listening, the fronts don't matter. I can hit the same levels with M3, M5 or M100 and there is no difference in sound quality.

2.1-channel listening via my Chromecast Video is a different story. The only way I can hit THX levels with the M5 is with the ADA-1500. I should tell you though, that is ridiculously loud and I would never listen at that level.

For reference, the M3s hit 3 dB higher than the M5. The M100s hit 6.5 dB higher than the M5. So when I'm listening to 2.1, at -5 on my Onk, I hit 96.5/100.5/103.5 dBC peaks for the M5/M3/M100. The M5 definitely sounds better than the M3, and the M100 definitely sounds better than the M5. The fidelity step from the M3 to the M5 is much bigger than the one from the M5 to the M100.

I would sum all this up by agreeing with Craig.

My listening space is 14x19x7.5 and primarily used as a home theater. I'll be sitting 13' away from the screen

Considering I'm coming from TV speakers, I don't think I'll be listening terribly loud, but maybe that'll change

The 4400H will be driving 3 M5HPs, 2 M3s, and 4 RSL C34E's.

Is there a budget friendly amp I could start planning for?

Thanks,
Chris

"Considering I'm coming from TV speakers, I don't think I'll be listening terribly loud, but maybe that'll change."

LOL! You won't need an amp. Save your money for medical expenses. You will kick yourself for missing out all these years!

If your coming from T.V. speakers only. You may find yourself going louder than usual, due to realising the T.V.s speakers are just plain awful.
The 4400H should be enough for now it is regarded highly. By many reviewers.

As for price to power ratio the Axiom ADA Amps are hard to beat.{Quality is top notch} Emotiva and Monoprice are other high powers to look at.

Cheers on the beginning of a fun journey.
Brendan

ADA1000-3 would be perfect.

The ADA-1000-3 may not be adequate at Chris's listening distance depending on source used.

I find the ADA-1000 gives out when my Onk volume is set to just below 0. That's less than 100dB of peak output at the M5s in 2.1 with Tidal HD over my Chromecast Video. Blu Ray over PS3 is absolutely no problem. The Onk is just fine for that with no ADA needed.

The ADA-1000 has no problem driving the M3 or M100 to 103dB and above but the M5 just isn't as sensitive.