JimW
Minor Hero
Posts: 57 
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Post by JimW on Apr 28, 2016 7:37:10 GMT -5
I am very limited on budget and extremely limited on space where I can put amps so I am looking into powered speakers. For now I have a Denon AVR 4100W as a pre/pro and a miniDSP 10x10 HD. A couple of options I'm thinking about is: 3 Stealth 8s for Left, Center, Right and a pair of AirMotiv 6s' for surrounds. OR A pair of AirMotiv 6s' plus a pair of subs running stereo (Rythmik L12s or SVS SB-1000s) for left/right, a pair of 6s' for center and a pair of 6s' for surrounds. On occasion I need these babies to CRANK! On these occasions I wonder if I could get the clean raw SPL and dynamics of the Stealth 8s with 2 pair of of the AM6s' (re-positioned from center to dual left/rights and re-routed via miniDSP)? The Denon even supports dual fronts. The room size will be pretty small 12 x 19 mostly carpeted with the whole front wall fully covered with blackout curtains. I would love to hear opinions, experiences, comments or anything else... a bunch of multiple brains are better than one  . |
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 28, 2016 8:11:01 GMT -5
Before beginning this comment, Jim, be aware that I'm not "a bunch of brains" nor even a complete "one..."  From what I've read, the Stealth 8s don't need a sub. In your room, they might be sufficient even when cranked. If you go the 6-with-subs option, on the occasions that you want to go for volume - RAISE THE CROSSOVER SETPOINT before you go loud. This will provide protection for the speakers. Of course, the self-powered speakers do have their own circuit breakers, but to be on the safe side... And if you're to use subs (particularly dual subs) might you be able to go with AM4s for the rear surrounds? Being the cheapskate that I am, I might opt for 8s for front R/L, 6 for the center, and 4 for surround - but again, I don't normally listen loudly, nor am I a "three fronts must match freak," so take my advice at whatever you think it's worth. Happy shopping! Boom |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,273
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Post by KeithL on Apr 28, 2016 9:01:40 GMT -5
I absolutely recommend the Stealth 8's (they're what I have at home). They are incredibly clean sounding, will play louder than you can possibly need, and don't need a sub for normal music. (And they really are a significant step-up from the Airmotivs.) About the only thing I would warn you about is that the Stealth 8's have a somewhat more imposing presence in a living room than you might expect from the dimensions. (They're big black blocks.... and you will be needing to set them on heavy tables, or get heavy-duty stands for them. Airmotiv 6's fit on a big desk, or a heavy wall shelf; Stealth 8's do NOT  . ) |
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 28, 2016 11:57:24 GMT -5
If anyone wants some HD speaker stands, I'll give you a pair if you pay for the shipping:   WARNING: I will NOT pack these. I'll disassemble them & drop the parts off at the UPS store. They pack & ship @ your expense (should still be cheaper than buying new). |
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JimW
Minor Hero
Posts: 57
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Post by JimW on Apr 28, 2016 16:12:54 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the advice and insight!
The cheapskate side of me comes out when I can by 3 pair of 6s' for the price of 1 pair of 8s.
And if I fry one, Emotiva won't just send out a driver you have to send in the whole speaker at your expense... the last time I had an Emotiva warranty it took around 8-10 weeks. This in itself may be a deal breaker.
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 29, 2016 18:11:47 GMT -5
I have set up a couple of systems for friends using Airmotive 6's and, whilst I'm sure Stealth 8's are even better, I was most impressed with the 6's. A pair fills a room of your size with plenty of quality sound. Unlike boom I am a "must having matching sounds" guy, it annoys the hell out of me when a sound pans around the room and it sounds different depending on the individual speaker's sonic signature. I'm totally confident that you would me moe than happy with 5 Airmotiva 6's and a sub for LFE.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by creimes on Apr 29, 2016 21:37:12 GMT -5
Having owned the Stealth 6 and really loved them but they couldn't put out the SPL I was needing even with my subs and coming from Monitor Audio RX6 towers, I'm sure the Stealth 8 would indeed have more SPL than the 6 but I'm a true believer in a nice set of towers especially for movies, currently I run Chane A5-rxc towers and two Mach 5 IXL subs but currently I am without an amp for my subs and even though the Chane's have decent bass response I am left wanting. Saying you have no room for amps though I would recommend the Stealth 8 over the Airmotiv 6s for mains.
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JimW
Minor Hero
Posts: 57
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Post by JimW on Apr 29, 2016 22:49:10 GMT -5
I have set up a couple of systems for friends using Airmotive 6's and, whilst I'm sure Stealth 8's are even better, I was most impressed with the 6's. A pair fills a room of your size with plenty of quality sound. Unlike boom I am a "must having matching sounds" guy, it annoys the hell out of me when a sound pans around the room and it sounds different depending on the individual speaker's sonic signature. I'm totally confident that you would me moe than happy with 5 Airmotiva 6's and a sub for LFE. Cheers Gary Actually it would be 6 Airmotiv 6's and 2 subs in stereo, with each sub located directly beneath an Airmotiv 6 for the fronts and maybe crossed over higher, around 120Hz high pass to the 6s' and 120Hz low pass to the subs, basically using them like woofers in a tower. With the miniDSP, frequencies and slopes... unlimited possibilities. Then two 6s' for the center and 2 for surround. Having owned the Stealth 6 and really loved them but they couldn't put out the SPL I was needing even with my subs and coming from Monitor Audio RX6 towers, I'm sure the Stealth 8 would indeed have more SPL than the 6 but I'm a true believer in a nice set of towers especially for movies, currently I run Chane A5-rxc towers and two Mach 5 IXL subs but currently I am without an amp for my subs and even though the Chane's have decent bass response I am left wanting. Saying you have no room for amps though I would recommend the Stealth 8 over the Airmotiv 6s for mains. Here was my theory, setup like my reply to Gary, when it needs to be cranked, spread out the two 6s centers, route them to L/R via miniDSP and hit Multi Channel Stereo on the Denon. Seems like that should give me some major, clean, loud SPL with 6 Airmotiv 6s' and 2 Rythmik L12s. A lot of tweaking to do but I've got Audyssey MultEQ XT32 + REW with an 8 channel miniDSP and lots of time on my hands. But in the end... I just don't know until I hear it. Also I really want to get a way from dome tweeters, I like idea of the AMT tweeters and the ones in the 6s are the big ones... 60 x 32. Was looking at Class D Audio's amps at $600 for 2 channels (300w into 8ohm / 600w into 4ohm + center and surrounds. Right now I have RBH R55TiB Towers (powered by the Denon), meh, and RBH makes a nice big R56Ci Center. |
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Post by Gary Cook on Apr 30, 2016 1:33:21 GMT -5
Personally I don't think it's necessary to have twin centres, one Airmotive 6 would do the job just fine.
Cheers
Gary
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JimW
Minor Hero
Posts: 57
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Post by JimW on May 10, 2016 20:57:52 GMT -5
Having owned the Stealth 6 and really loved them but they couldn't put out the SPL I was needing even with my subs and coming from Monitor Audio RX6 towers, I'm sure the Stealth 8 would indeed have more SPL than the 6 but I'm a true believer in a nice set of towers especially for movies, currently I run Chane A5-rxc towers and two Mach 5 IXL subs but currently I am without an amp for my subs and even though the Chane's have decent bass response I am left wanting. Saying you have no room for amps though I would recommend the Stealth 8 over the Airmotiv 6s for mains. Since Emo moved the ship date from 5/3 to 5/20 on the Stealth 8s, I've had time to re-think and do more research and the Chanes are topping my list, I think I'll wait for the Chane A2.4s. I have a pair of Rythmik L12 subs coming and I can make room for a few small SDS-470 based amps from classdaudio.com. So, for now, I'm just waiting on the Chanes . |
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djreef
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Thoroughly enjoying my Schiit
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Post by djreef on May 10, 2016 21:15:01 GMT -5
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JimW
Minor Hero
Posts: 57
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Post by JimW on May 10, 2016 21:47:17 GMT -5
Thanks but I'm going to wait for the new models. |
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JimW
Minor Hero
Posts: 57
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Post by JimW on Jun 4, 2016 6:09:02 GMT -5
Having owned the Stealth 6 and really loved them but they couldn't put out the SPL I was needing even with my subs and coming from Monitor Audio RX6 towers, I'm sure the Stealth 8 would indeed have more SPL than the 6 but I'm a true believer in a nice set of towers especially for movies, currently I run Chane A5-rxc towers and two Mach 5 IXL subs but currently I am without an amp for my subs and even though the Chane's have decent bass response I am left wanting. Saying you have no room for amps though I would recommend the Stealth 8 over the Airmotiv 6s for mains. I just ordered 3 Chane A5-rxc towers for LCR, what are you using for surrounds? I really would like some small(ish) wall mounts like maybe the GoldenEar SuperSats or MartinLogan Motion 4's but probably not a good timbre match. |
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Post by creimes on Jun 4, 2016 13:31:00 GMT -5
Having owned the Stealth 6 and really loved them but they couldn't put out the SPL I was needing even with my subs and coming from Monitor Audio RX6 towers, I'm sure the Stealth 8 would indeed have more SPL than the 6 but I'm a true believer in a nice set of towers especially for movies, currently I run Chane A5-rxc towers and two Mach 5 IXL subs but currently I am without an amp for my subs and even though the Chane's have decent bass response I am left wanting. Saying you have no room for amps though I would recommend the Stealth 8 over the Airmotiv 6s for mains. I just ordered 3 Chane A5-rxc towers for LCR, what are you using for surrounds? I really would like some small(ish) wall mounts like maybe the GoldenEar SuperSats or MartinLogan Motion 4's but probably not a good timbre match. Very nice , I myself have been wanting to order another A5rx-c for my center and sell the A2rx-c since my speakers are now behind my screen and the height of the A5 will not be blocking my TV, I'm just not sure how easy it will be to sell one A2rx-c lol, For my rears I use the Emotiva UAC-8.2 ceiling speakers as my couch is against the wall and they were a really good deal and I bought them when I was running Monitor Audio for my mains and really didn't have the cash for the matching in ceilings, I myself do not notice any issues with matching the rears and it sounds fine to my ears. |
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