Q. Can somebody please help me pick the right receiver for the speakers I am thinking about buying. I am looking for a decent system to start off with and have the ability to expand. For now I just want to go with 3 front speakers and a sub and later in the future upgrade to either a 5.1 or 7.1 / 7.2 setup. For the center speaker I am considering the Martin Logan Motion 8 http://www.martinlogan.com/pdf/brochures/brochure_motion8.pdf, the front left and right Martin Logan Motion 4 http://www.martinlogan.com/pdf/brochures/brochure_motion4.pdf and for the sub Martian Logan Dynamo 500 http://www.martinlogan.com/dynamo/index.php#dynamo500 . After looking at the spec sheets, all the listed speakers have an impedance of 4 Ohms but are compatible with 4, 6, or 8 ohm rated amplifiers. These speakers look to be on the affordable side of good quality. I would like to use them as a casual listener of music/tv/movies but still have enough power safely show off. I am confused about what I should look for in a receiver. The 2 receivers that I am look at are Onkyo 7.2 Channel TX-NR818 and the Pioneer Elite 7.2 Channel SC-61. I would like some input about these receivers for the speakers that I have selected.
Is my philosophy wrong by selecting the speakers before the receivers or am I just wasting money for the speakers that I have selected and should look at less expensive receivers? I want to make certain that I do not overlook the receiver because I heard that not using the proper receiver can damage the speakers or receiver. Also, am I overlooking?
Thanks for the answer David E, but am I wasting money on those 2 receivers which are around $1100 or can I down grade receivers at around $600 range like the Onkyo 7.2 Channel TXNR727 or a Pioneer Elite 7.2 Channel VSX-70?
Is my philosophy wrong by selecting the speakers before the receivers or am I just wasting money for the speakers that I have selected and should look at less expensive receivers? I want to make certain that I do not overlook the receiver because I heard that not using the proper receiver can damage the speakers or receiver. Also, am I overlooking?
Thanks for the answer David E, but am I wasting money on those 2 receivers which are around $1100 or can I down grade receivers at around $600 range like the Onkyo 7.2 Channel TXNR727 or a Pioneer Elite 7.2 Channel VSX-70?
Answer
When building a system its certainly a good idea to start with speakers and then build around them. Everything in a music or home theater system, contributes to the sound quality, so the receiver is no exception.
Martin Logan builds some good speakers and motions are pretty darn good for the money. The tweeter is very nice sounding, sweet, open, delicate, very good for music.
Some speakers are more demanding than others, and that is certainly the case with Martin Logan speakers even know they say they are not. This means that it requires the amplifier to be stable into lower impedance loads. This typically means that must use higher quality parts, discreet output stages, and better power supplies. So it will be important to choose a amplifier that both has more than enough power to drive the speakers properly to sound pressure levels your wanting to achieve, and can deliver the current needed to handle the impedance swing the speakers present to the amplifier.
8 ohms is the easiest impedance for a amplifier to drive. As the impedance drops or rises from 8 ohms, it requires more current from the amplifier. There are many cheaply made receivers on the market and many that are unable to drive more difficult speakers without possibly damaging the amplifier, so it will be very important to buy a amplifier that can handle more difficult loads.
There is only one brand I can be assured will drive just about any speaker NAD, but they are not cheap. There are other receivers that can from other manufactures but you will have to be careful to choose the right model as most brands will have better built models that can drive more difficult speakers. Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, all make models that have low impedance drive capability which assures they are using better parts, discreet output stages. Look to see they are capable of driving 4 ohm or even 2 ohm loads, and increase power output a reasonable amount ( the more the better), "and" at full bandwidth not just 1khz. Many higher end separate amplifiers can double there rated power as the impedance drops in half, most receivers cant even come close to that but look for a model that comes as close as possible.
looking at the spec's of model Onkyo your looking at indicates its not real happy driving lower impedance loads. It says it will but if you look closely its not increasing power much, and another indication is its specifying that it will do this a 1khz not at full bandwidth. Any amplifier that specifies power at one frequency (typically 1khz, which any receiver can do that) it tells me its not a very good amplifier.
So either look at a different model, or go to a different brand like Marantz or Denon.
As for Pioneer, I'm sorry not a fan of D class amplification. All Pioneer amplifiers now use D class amplification, which just doesn't sound organic and real, it sounds very artificial, and lifeless.
So yes choose wisely if you buy the Martin Logans, there nice speakers they just need a good "quality" amplifier
Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist
When building a system its certainly a good idea to start with speakers and then build around them. Everything in a music or home theater system, contributes to the sound quality, so the receiver is no exception.
Martin Logan builds some good speakers and motions are pretty darn good for the money. The tweeter is very nice sounding, sweet, open, delicate, very good for music.
Some speakers are more demanding than others, and that is certainly the case with Martin Logan speakers even know they say they are not. This means that it requires the amplifier to be stable into lower impedance loads. This typically means that must use higher quality parts, discreet output stages, and better power supplies. So it will be important to choose a amplifier that both has more than enough power to drive the speakers properly to sound pressure levels your wanting to achieve, and can deliver the current needed to handle the impedance swing the speakers present to the amplifier.
8 ohms is the easiest impedance for a amplifier to drive. As the impedance drops or rises from 8 ohms, it requires more current from the amplifier. There are many cheaply made receivers on the market and many that are unable to drive more difficult speakers without possibly damaging the amplifier, so it will be very important to buy a amplifier that can handle more difficult loads.
There is only one brand I can be assured will drive just about any speaker NAD, but they are not cheap. There are other receivers that can from other manufactures but you will have to be careful to choose the right model as most brands will have better built models that can drive more difficult speakers. Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, all make models that have low impedance drive capability which assures they are using better parts, discreet output stages. Look to see they are capable of driving 4 ohm or even 2 ohm loads, and increase power output a reasonable amount ( the more the better), "and" at full bandwidth not just 1khz. Many higher end separate amplifiers can double there rated power as the impedance drops in half, most receivers cant even come close to that but look for a model that comes as close as possible.
looking at the spec's of model Onkyo your looking at indicates its not real happy driving lower impedance loads. It says it will but if you look closely its not increasing power much, and another indication is its specifying that it will do this a 1khz not at full bandwidth. Any amplifier that specifies power at one frequency (typically 1khz, which any receiver can do that) it tells me its not a very good amplifier.
So either look at a different model, or go to a different brand like Marantz or Denon.
As for Pioneer, I'm sorry not a fan of D class amplification. All Pioneer amplifiers now use D class amplification, which just doesn't sound organic and real, it sounds very artificial, and lifeless.
So yes choose wisely if you buy the Martin Logans, there nice speakers they just need a good "quality" amplifier
Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist
Speaker System and Amplifier Questions?
Q. I am looking to buy a speaker system and an amplifier, and am needing some help knowing how amplifiers work... Are amplifiers universal? How do you install them? Would they be difficult to mount into an unfinished room? I just don't know. HELP ME OUT GUYS!
Answer
- Active speakers have built in amplifiers in the speakers (and/or built in amplifier in the subwoofer and the speakers plug into the subwoofer). Examples of active speakers would be computer speakers or sound bars.
- Most active speaker systems have very little power and low end quality and no additional features other than producing audio. = Garbage (I don't recommend computer speakers or sound bar speakers).
- Blu-ray or DVD home theaters in a box is a disc player (amplifier) that comes with and hooks up to compatible passive speakers with speaker wire.
- All HTIB systems have very little power and very low end quality and not much additional features other than producing audio. = Garbage (I don't recommend HTIB systems).
- What I do recommend are receivers (amplifiers) that hook up to compatible passive speakers with speaker wire, computers or blu-ray/dvd player or game consoles hook up to the receiver with a hdmi cable for audio then receiver hooks up to the tv with a hdmi cable for video. You can find good cheap speaker wire and hdmi cables at monoprice or amazon or newegg or tigerdirect.
- If you notice below, brands that make good receivers do not make good speakers. = I don't recommend a system that bundles a receiver with speakers, but the Onkyo HT-(S3500 or S5500 or S6500 or S7500 .ect) system is not too bad. = So if your on a budget, then I recommend you get a low/high end 7.1/7.2 surround sound receiver and you get mid end or high end stereo speakers (you can get+add more speakers later to have a surround sound system).
Some examples of good 5.1 surround sound audio speakers.
- Low end bookshelf 5.1 speakers = Polk Audio 5.1 Blackstone TL(1600 or 1900 or 2600); Klipsch 5.1 HD Theater (300 or 500 or 600); Energy 5.1 (Take Classic or RC-Micro or CB-10); MonoPrice 5.1 Premium 10565; M&K Movie; JBL SCS 145.2 or JBL CS480.
Some examples of good 5.1/5.2 surround sound audio/video receivers. (Overall=low end).
- Low end = Onkyo HT-RC430 or Onkyo TX-SR313; Pioneer VSX-(522-K or 523-K); Denon AVR-(1513 or E200); Yamaha HTR-3066 or Yamaha RX-(V373 or V375);
- High end = Onkyo TX-NR(414 or 525); Pioneer VSX-(822-K or 823-K); Denon AVR-(1613 or E300 or 1713 or X1000); Yamaha HTR-(4065 or 4066) or Yamaha RX-(V473 or V475 or S600);
Some examples of good 7.1/7.2 surround sound audio/video receivers. (Overall=mid end).
- Low end = Onkyo HT-RC(R2295 or 460 or 560) or Onkyo TX-NR(515 or 616 or 626); Pioneer VSX-(1022-K or 1023-K or 42 or 43 or 60 or 70 or 1122-K or 1123-K); Denon AVR-(E400 or x2000 or 2113CI); Yamaha RX-(V573 or V575 or V673 or V675);
- High end = Onkyo TX-NR(717 or 727 or 818 or 828 or 1010); Pioneer VSX-(1222-K or 1223-K or 1323-K) or Pioneer Elite-SC-(61 or 63 or 71 or 72); Denon AVR-(X3000 or 3313CI or x4000 or 4520CI); Yamaha (HTR-7065 or TSR-6750WA) or Yamaha RX-(V773WA or V775WA or A720 or A730 or A820 or A830 or A1020 or A1030);
Some examples of good 9.1/9.2 surround sound audio/video receivers. (Overall=high end).
- Low end = Onkyo TX-NR929; Pioneer SC-(1522-K or 1523-K); Denon (none); Yamaha RX-(A2020 or A20130);
- High end = Onkyo TX-NR(3010 or 5010); Pioneer Elite-SC-(65 or 67 or 68 or 75 or 77 or 79); Denon AVR-4520CI; Yamaha RX-(A3020 or A3030);
- Active speakers have built in amplifiers in the speakers (and/or built in amplifier in the subwoofer and the speakers plug into the subwoofer). Examples of active speakers would be computer speakers or sound bars.
- Most active speaker systems have very little power and low end quality and no additional features other than producing audio. = Garbage (I don't recommend computer speakers or sound bar speakers).
- Blu-ray or DVD home theaters in a box is a disc player (amplifier) that comes with and hooks up to compatible passive speakers with speaker wire.
- All HTIB systems have very little power and very low end quality and not much additional features other than producing audio. = Garbage (I don't recommend HTIB systems).
- What I do recommend are receivers (amplifiers) that hook up to compatible passive speakers with speaker wire, computers or blu-ray/dvd player or game consoles hook up to the receiver with a hdmi cable for audio then receiver hooks up to the tv with a hdmi cable for video. You can find good cheap speaker wire and hdmi cables at monoprice or amazon or newegg or tigerdirect.
- If you notice below, brands that make good receivers do not make good speakers. = I don't recommend a system that bundles a receiver with speakers, but the Onkyo HT-(S3500 or S5500 or S6500 or S7500 .ect) system is not too bad. = So if your on a budget, then I recommend you get a low/high end 7.1/7.2 surround sound receiver and you get mid end or high end stereo speakers (you can get+add more speakers later to have a surround sound system).
Some examples of good 5.1 surround sound audio speakers.
- Low end bookshelf 5.1 speakers = Polk Audio 5.1 Blackstone TL(1600 or 1900 or 2600); Klipsch 5.1 HD Theater (300 or 500 or 600); Energy 5.1 (Take Classic or RC-Micro or CB-10); MonoPrice 5.1 Premium 10565; M&K Movie; JBL SCS 145.2 or JBL CS480.
Some examples of good 5.1/5.2 surround sound audio/video receivers. (Overall=low end).
- Low end = Onkyo HT-RC430 or Onkyo TX-SR313; Pioneer VSX-(522-K or 523-K); Denon AVR-(1513 or E200); Yamaha HTR-3066 or Yamaha RX-(V373 or V375);
- High end = Onkyo TX-NR(414 or 525); Pioneer VSX-(822-K or 823-K); Denon AVR-(1613 or E300 or 1713 or X1000); Yamaha HTR-(4065 or 4066) or Yamaha RX-(V473 or V475 or S600);
Some examples of good 7.1/7.2 surround sound audio/video receivers. (Overall=mid end).
- Low end = Onkyo HT-RC(R2295 or 460 or 560) or Onkyo TX-NR(515 or 616 or 626); Pioneer VSX-(1022-K or 1023-K or 42 or 43 or 60 or 70 or 1122-K or 1123-K); Denon AVR-(E400 or x2000 or 2113CI); Yamaha RX-(V573 or V575 or V673 or V675);
- High end = Onkyo TX-NR(717 or 727 or 818 or 828 or 1010); Pioneer VSX-(1222-K or 1223-K or 1323-K) or Pioneer Elite-SC-(61 or 63 or 71 or 72); Denon AVR-(X3000 or 3313CI or x4000 or 4520CI); Yamaha (HTR-7065 or TSR-6750WA) or Yamaha RX-(V773WA or V775WA or A720 or A730 or A820 or A830 or A1020 or A1030);
Some examples of good 9.1/9.2 surround sound audio/video receivers. (Overall=high end).
- Low end = Onkyo TX-NR929; Pioneer SC-(1522-K or 1523-K); Denon (none); Yamaha RX-(A2020 or A20130);
- High end = Onkyo TX-NR(3010 or 5010); Pioneer Elite-SC-(65 or 67 or 68 or 75 or 77 or 79); Denon AVR-4520CI; Yamaha RX-(A3020 or A3030);
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Title Post: Choosing the right receiver for my speakers?
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Author: Yukie
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Rating: 98% based on 989 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Yukie
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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