Monitor 70's & Monitor 50's on a VSX1121. Next?

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

So I have a bunch of towers in a 7.2 configuration running on my Pioneer VSX1121 AVR.

Front L/R: Monitor 70's
Center: Monitor 70
Side L/R: Monitor 50's
Rear L/R: Monitor 50's
Subs: PSW505's x 2

It sounds good. Gets plenty loud. It's a relaxed sound, treble is not too hot in my condo room which is mostly tile surprisingly, but I have a big rug and some curtains hanged to keep the resonance and echo and boominess down. I run my center a little hotter than the rest for movie purposes. I run my subs a little on the lower than normal side, simply because I like to turn the volume up in movies, and the subs at really high volume really start to chuff and flub around with the really low frequency bombs in some movies (not so much in music it seems, but movies seem to have the lowest of the low, like 15hz and 20hz and these PSW505's can't really do it). So I keep them a little lower so that even if I turn things up, they don't get too aggressive and clip all over the place (the subs I mean).

Overall I'm relatively happy with the current setup.

However, I'm wondering, can I go a little further? I have three of these big monitor 70 towers as my fronts an center. I love looking at them towering the room. And surrounding them are the two subs and four of the monitor 50 towers. Very pleasing to look at and listen to. Great surround. I leave them all uncovered too so I can see the drivers moving (guilty pleasure).

I guess the question is, do you think it would be worth while putting some 200+ watt monoblocks on those monitor 70's. Or would that basically not doing anything except slight difference in sound stage and coloration?

Very best,

[cnh]

Double posted (below).

cnh

[cnh]

Sending more power to the M-70s will certainly yield a difference in what you will hear. More authoritative lows, cleaner mids and more detail up high; they really hit their peak with "quality" high current power. And there is only so much that a Pioneer VSX 1121 can do with that "many" towers?

cnh

[ZLTFUL]

Totally agree with cnh. My 70s didn't come alive until I fed em with 200w per. They sound amazing now...even on music. Before, just on the AVR they sounded...good. But not GOOD. The sound seems smoother and cleaner now. Like they aren't working to produce it.

[MalVeauX]

Sending more power to the M-70s will certainly yield a difference in what you will hear. More authoritative lows, cleaner mids and more detail up high; they really hit their peak with "quality" high current power. And there is only so much that a Pioneer VSX 1121 can do with that "many" towers?

cnh

Heya,

I keep reading opinions like this and opposing opinions saying that they're too efficient to bother and that it would be more useful to simply go with new speakers. But at this point that would be a complete rebuild since if I bought new speakers I would be in the same situation--no discreet integrated/power amps, and everything pulling from the VSX1121 alone.

There is good possibility that in the future I'll climb the ladder, like to LSi or to another brand even. But probably not for a few years and there will be new options then of course. I like bargains. By then maybe more will be available used/sale.

As it is, I'm looking at the Emotiva XPA-3. It's expensive, but it's less expensive than some other options and does 200watts at 8ohms to 3 channels. That would keep everything consistent with my 3 M70's. Seems it might be a good investment for everything in the future. I have a lesser Emotiva that I use for ortho headphones and it's a fantastic amp, I'm pleased with the overall quality that Emotiva offers.

However, I'm wondering, what are some alternatives that are comparable? No real budget, just testing the water right now. But I suppose since I'm willing to do $700 for the XPA-3 I'd probably have wiggle room up and down of course.

Very best,

[cnh]

I'm speaking, pretty much from experience on this one because I have some M-70s. And had them running on a Denon AVR 2807, the one below (power-wise this older Denon is fairly comparable to your Pioneer). When I added an Adcom GFA-555 200 watt x 2 to that Denon, WOW, did the M-70s sound different! Pretty much what Zitful says in the post above.

If you like the Emotiva sound that's fine. The other option is to hit the used market which is what I did. You can get a lot of amp for almost that same price. Check out amps by Parasound, Adcom, NAD, Rotel, B&K, Carver, etc. There are LOTS to choose from, too many in this range!

cnh

[RamZet]

I had the M70s powered with 200w each from a rotel, 150w each from a B&K, 100w each from a Marantz and 60w each from a Bryston. They sounded the best on a the Bryston amp.

[MalVeauX]

I'm speaking, pretty much from experience on this one because I have some M-70s. And had them running on a Denon AVR 2807, the one below (power-wise this older Denon is fairly comparable to your Pioneer). When I added an Adcom GFA-555 200 watt x 2 to that Denon, WOW, did the M-70s sound different! Pretty much what Zitful says in the post above.

If you like the Emotiva sound that's fine. The other option is to hit the used market which is what I did. You can get a lot of amp for almost that same price. Check out amps by Parasound, Adcom, NAD, Rotel, B&K, Carver, etc. There are LOTS to choose from, too many in this range!

cnh

Cool thanks,

I would love to see some other models, but can't seem to find 3 channel 200watt @ 8ohm amps in that price range new/used really. Seems two channels are significantly more. And the three channels are much more. I do look at Audiogon often to see a deal, but generally so far I've only seen the XPA-3 in this range of cost, new, three channels and 200watts. I have 3 M70's. Trying to get it with either a 3 channel amp, or three monoblocks in the same price range. Any specific models you can think of?

Very best,

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

So the XPA-3 just went on sale for some reason for $599.

I think it's a sign.

Going to order before March to get the sale and save $100.

Will report back when I hear the M70's in trio and stereo on some solid current.

Very best,