I'm looking for a pair of floorstanders to replace a returned pair of Wharfedales Evo40...I'm looking at the M50s.

In fact, have been a lurker in these boards for a long time and I think my time has come...

Any experiences with a similar set up? Thanks!

I'm not familiar with the Onkyo, but the Axiom M50s are are a relatively easy load--if that is your concern, and can be driven with no problem. If you are wondering if the Onkyo's "sound" and M50s sound are compatible, that's another story alltogether.

What did you not like about the Wharfedales?

I think the 602 will make any Axiom's sing not sure if they can drive the 4ohm 80's though...

Power takes into account room size and speaker sensitivity. M50s in a small to medium room - sounds fine.

Other than power requirements - any reasonably good receiver is going to sound about the same unless you have very good and very educated ears - in which case you probably wouldn't be asking that question - you would be helping to write the research papers on the subject.

Anything below about 0.1 % distortion levels is "reasonably good" from what I have read.

"Typical values are 0.05% to 0.08% THD for a "clean" receiver, but any value below 0.1% THD is acceptable."

http://timefordvd.com/hardware/receiver/AVReceiverBuyingGuide.shtml

Onkyo recievers tend to be actually about 2/3 of their advertised power. (See the 501 in this list):

http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3401/ratevsac.htm

i have a 701(100WPC), running 60's, and it plays loud and clear. i honestly couldnt imagine needing MORE power, but, ya know how some people are.

i believe the 602 is 90WPC..? maybe..? i really dont think you will have any probs at all.. in fact, i would say that you will be VERY pleased with that set-up.

bigjohn

Have Onkyo 601 with Axiom M60ti's. Clear through 108 db, and start to distort just a bit at 110 db (at least I think that its distortion, who knows it might just be my ears way of saying what the heck do you think you are doing!! TURN THAT DOWN). Anything over 100 db is really loud and at 100 it is virgin clean.