Axiom Home Page
Hello,

I have my eyes on the Axiom M60 Floorstanding Speaker pair and would like to purchase them, but before I do, I require a receiver. The receiver I am looking for must have the power to drive the M60 speakers, possibly even enough power to drive the M80 if need be (if I ever do happen to upgrade). As well as the receiver needing to have enough power to drive the M60 or M80 speakers, they must have the power to drive a complete 5.1 or bigger home theater system for roughly 3 hours max.

Here are some specifications to answer questions:
  • I have a slightly flexible $500.00 budget to spend on any receiver.
  • My home theater will start off as a 2.1 set and eventually be upgraded to a 5.1 set.
  • The speakers will be used 100% on movies.
  • My home theater will be placed in the living room. You can find dimensions and images here:
    Floor Plan Image
    Living Room Images

Thank you.
Based on some posts over at the AVS forum where someone was looking at a pioneer I noticed this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-1019AH...C/ref=de_a_smtd

Looks like it’s getting good reviews from it’s users and some review sites. Sure has a lot of features, including both Dolby and DTS lossless. You might also consider the B-stock market for something like Denon if you can afford not to have a full warranty.
V, welcome. The power needed would depend to a large extent on how loudly you'd play them, but if you use a comfortably loud level that won't cause hearing damage any of the receivers rated in the 100 watt area will do the job. This applies to both the M60s and the M80s, since actually the M80s are a bit more sensitive and therefore require a little less power than the M60s. My suggestion to fit your budget would be the factory refurb(if anything, even more likely than a brand-new unit to be trouble-free)Onkyo 707 from Accessories4less for about $450.
If you decide to go Pioneer, I purchased the smallest Elite model, VSX-21TXH for $630 at a Best Buy Magnolia store late last year. Then, the suggested retail was $700, but I just noticed that they have raised the price to $800 suggested retail. To drive the M80's I don't think I would go with anything less than one of the Elite models, although I'm no expert on this. I think the Elites probably have better circuitry.
I think just about anything, within reason, will drive the M60's just fine. One of the first things I noticed when I got mine a couple weeks ago was just how effortlessly my existing equipment was driving them. They are very, very nice btw.

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to future-proofing a reciever to someday drive M80's. By then, you'll probably want a move to an up-to-date receiver with 4D \:\) , etc.

A better approach might be to get a two channel amp, or a pair of monos when and if you get M8o's - and use whatever power you have in your reciever to power center and rears.

It seems like recievers are becoming somewhat disposable like computers. New, can't live without them, technologies are relaesed in every tradeshow, where amps are amps - they can provide good service for decades.
At that budget, just shop for features and price. Onkyo, Pioneer, Denon, etc. If you get one with Pre-amp outputs, you can add a power amp later - IF you think you need it. But I doubt you will.
I bought the Yamaha RX-V663 for around $400. a couple of years ago in prep for buying the EPIC 60-500 system from Axiom. It powers the entire 5.1 system flawlessly. I can assure you that I would go deaf long before there was any problem between the speakers and the receiver.
My 2809 is plenty loud. It's got pre-outs. And I'm still curious.
I agree with SirTuttle and I like Johnk's suggestion. I was looking at the Onkyo 707 until I found a very good deal on a Dennon 2808.
hmm I just picked up a factory refurb HK AVR340 for $250. no HDMI but hell, it will get me by until I can get the AMPS and Speakers bought, then I will ditch the reciever for a pre/pro ...one with 4D or 5d , ,,,hell probably come to life video will be out by then
oh Dakmart.com sells b-stock Denon gear
Also checkout ecost.com. They are, per the Denon website, a certified refurb Denon dealer along with Dakmart - and on some of the items the prices are better. Not everything is in stock, but some pieces are.
V: There are a good number of guys who contribute regularly to these forums who seem to be extremely knowledgeable about all things audio, video and digital. You've heard from a few of them here. They are a very worthwhile resource as long as you go nowhere near any double entendres for them to grab at;-)

I'm not one of those guys, but IMHO, I did lots of homework on the equipment to which they're refering. Though they've listed some very good choices here (it is, afterall, the most competetive price point of the market), I'm voting for the Onkyo. I have two 7.1 Onkyos and am really pleased with both. Good luck and welcome to Axiom!
at that price point i'd look into the pioneer VSX 9040 txh. you can probly find a good deal on it. it's THX select 2 plus and has the latest codecs. many say it's a rebadged elite model!!
it's recieved great reviews. and most praise the pioneer 1019AH aswell. i have a onkyo 607 and like it. i wouldn't mind trying out a denon 1910 though either. a marantz SR 5003 would also be a great find at that price. if i had it to do all over before my 607 and didn't really care about hight speakers i'd most likely bite the bullet for the Marantz 5003 or pioneer 9040

im also in works of looking for a new reciever IT's SOO EXCITING!!
The pioneer VSX-9040 is the same one that I have which is the Elite VSX-21thx
I'm not really a Marantz guy.

Certainly not after Mike's caught fire that one time.
© Axiom Message Boards