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Post by dermott on Nov 22, 2009 15:21:08 GMT -5
I am trying to figure out if I have been a good boy this year. Good enough that I can pick myself up a little something from Emotiva. Which of the choices here will make the greatest impact in my current set up?
Marantz SR6003 AVR AudioSource AMP300 powering mains (~235 watts into 4 Ohms) Oppo BDP-83 AT&T U-Verse HD Toshiba 52XF550U LCD
Ascend Acoustics 340 Classic Center Maggie MMG mains Klipsch surrounds AV123 X-sub
I would say 60/40 split HT/Music with seating about 9 feet from the screen. I would like to get into the UMC-1 at some point as well. Thoughts?
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Post by slbenz on Nov 22, 2009 19:44:09 GMT -5
I am trying to figure out if I have been a good boy this year. Good enough that I can pick myself up a little something from Emotiva. Which of the choices here will make the greatest impact in my current set up? Marantz SR6003 AVR AudioSource AMP300 powering mains (~235 watts into 4 Ohms) Oppo BDP-83 AT&T U-Verse HD Toshiba 52XF550U LCD Ascend Acoustics 340 Classic Center Maggie MMG mains Klipsch surrounds AV123 X-sub I would say 60/40 split HT/Music with seating about 9 feet from the screen. I would like to get into the UMC-1 at some point as well. Thoughts? As a fellow Magnepan home theater user, I use Magnepan IIIas for my fronts and rear channels, I am torn between suggesting using an XPA-5 or replacing your center channel with another planar speaker. I use an Eminent Technology LFT-XII for my center and an XPA-5 to power my IIIas without any problem. My previous amp was a Parasound HCA-1205A which was good to begin with.
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Post by dermott on Nov 23, 2009 20:59:59 GMT -5
Thanks, slbenz
It sounds like you are saying go with the XPA-5, but that you also don't think the 6.3 would be the best choice to mate with the Maggies. Someone else here said that they really like the way the 6.3 blended with their MG12's, so I was hoping the 6.3 would go along with MMG's as well.
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Post by bourbonncigars on Nov 25, 2009 21:05:18 GMT -5
Thanks, slbenz It sounds like you are saying go with the XPA-5, but that you also don't think the 6.3 would be the best choice to mate with the Maggies. Someone else here said that they really like the way the 6.3 blended with their MG12's, so I was hoping the 6.3 would go along with MMG's as well. Pure speculation on my part, but for serious (and accurate) home theater use, I don't see how the 6.3 will blend seamlessly with a speaker manufactured as a full-range ribbon. Maybe it's just me....
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Post by slbenz on Nov 25, 2009 21:58:57 GMT -5
Thanks, slbenz It sounds like you are saying go with the XPA-5, but that you also don't think the 6.3 would be the best choice to mate with the Maggies. Someone else here said that they really like the way the 6.3 blended with their MG12's, so I was hoping the 6.3 would go along with MMG's as well. Pure speculation on my part, but for serious (and accurate) home theater use, I don't see how the 6.3 will blend seamlessly with a speaker manufactured as a full-range ribbon. Maybe it's just me.... Speculation on my part as well with a box speaker from Emotiva since I haven't heard one as of yet. But from my experience using several different levels of B&Ws, Klipsch and Cambridge Soundworks center channel speakers, the drastic timbre difference and the box sound to my ears just doesn't match with my Magnepans. The closest that I found from a box speaker design are from Mirage or Definitive Technology. The omni or dipolar design from these manufacturers come the closest to the openess of the planar sound vs. the all the other box speakers I have tried.
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 25, 2009 22:29:14 GMT -5
Too bad you guys haven't given the Emotiva ERM-6.3 a try as center channel with your Maggy speakers. We have other Lounge Members who have used the 6.3 and were very pleased with the results. The ERM-6.3 speakers are not like most box speakers as their sonic signature is very similar to planars. The 6.3s have the most open, airy sounding mid-range of any box speaker I have listened to. Try it -- you might like it? ;D
IIRC, we also have Lounge Members with Martin Logans who have used ERM-6.3 and reported they blended very well. I have not personally heard this particular mix, but I have listened to the 6.3s with all genre of music and HT and can attest to their superior mid-range/treble performance. They will surprise you with how open, airy and life-like they sound.
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Post by slbenz on Nov 25, 2009 22:44:28 GMT -5
Too bad you guys haven't given the Emotiva ERM-6.3 a try as center channel with your Maggy speakers. We have other Lounge Members who have used the 6.3 and were very pleased with the results. The ERM-6.3 speakers are not like most box speakers as their sonic signature is very similar to planars. The 6.3s have the most open, airy sounding mid-range of any box speaker I have listened to. Try it -- you might like it? ;D IIRC, we also have Lounge Members with Martin Logans who have used ERM-6.3 and reported they blended very well. I have not personally heard this particular mix, but I have listened to the 6.3s with all genre of music and HT and can attest to their superior mid-range/treble performance. They will surprise you with how open, airy and life-like they sound. I also owned a set of Martin Logans and had the same problems that I described with my Magnepans. I am very happy with my Eminent Technology LFT-XII which actually blends better with my IIIas than the current center channel offerings from Magnepan. Imagine that! I don't doubt the 6.3 is an excellent speaker for others with Magnepans or Martin Logans on this forum. Now if only Emotiva would let me demo the 6.3 with free shipping both ways, I can give you an unbiased review on the speaker with my Magnepan system since I am a top 500 reviewer on Epinions.
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scottl
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Post by scottl on Nov 26, 2009 2:43:06 GMT -5
I think replacing your Klipsch surrounds should also be an option - the whole speaker system really needs to be as consistent as possible to produce the most realistic surround sound. Those are a far cry from really matching the tonal or dispersion characteristics of your mains.
I can accept, in theory, that the 6.3 might mate well with the Magnepans. However, I would strongly suggest that you try the Maggie center (60-day money back guarantee on the MMGC) and the 6.3 at the same time to see for yourself. See which works best for you!
I would probably go for the amplification next. If you are going to keep the Klipsch surrounds, you might as well go for the XPA-3. If you replace them, go for the XPA-5.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2009 9:06:53 GMT -5
I'm one who is using the 6.3 with Magnepan MG12's. I think they blend extremely well.
The 6.3 is not your typical whimpy center channel speaker.
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Post by Animo on Nov 26, 2009 10:15:10 GMT -5
I built high resolution speakers for my mains. I have the 6.3 for center, and ERDs for surrounds. No complaints with how well they compliment each other. Don't underestimate the 6.3.
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Post by ammosenior on Nov 26, 2009 10:43:42 GMT -5
I bought the 6.3s for LRC channels because of these forum which state you should match the front speakers and i agree with Amino. Don't underestimate the 6.3. I didn't really think they would produce enough range for a front speaker set but I was wrong. As a center channel, for the first time in my HT experience, I haven't needed to increase the sound to the center channel in order to hear the conversations. A really great speaker and with them being $100 off each. Not a bad sale right now.
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Post by dermott on Nov 26, 2009 13:26:27 GMT -5
I think replacing your Klipsch surrounds should also be an option - the whole speaker system really needs to be as consistent as possible to produce the most realistic surround sound. Those are a far cry from really matching the tonal or dispersion characteristics of your mains. Yeah, I know. I have thought about that too looking at the current price for the ERD-1. Roadrunner was kind enough to comment on the fact that my Marantz SR6003 would be able to drive them without issue in another thread. Would the 6.3 AND EDR-1's tax the Marantz too much as long as I have a separate amp driving my Maggies?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2009 13:33:18 GMT -5
Don't underestimate the 6.3. absolutely . . great center channel as both Animo and Neekos have stated
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Post by strindl on Nov 26, 2009 13:39:53 GMT -5
I think you'd get the most value for your money by replacing that audio source amp and getting an XPA-5 to power all channels instead. The XPA-5 is a far more powerful amp.
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scottl
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Post by scottl on Nov 26, 2009 14:36:47 GMT -5
Yeah, I know. I have thought about that too looking at the current price for the ERD-1. Roadrunner was kind enough to comment on the fact that my Marantz SR6003 would be able to drive them without issue in another thread. Would the 6.3 AND EDR-1's tax the Marantz too much as long as I have a separate amp driving my Maggies? [/quote]
I would have to say that the Marantz would drive the 6.3 acceptably, but an XPA-3 or XPA-5 would be a distinct improvement. I sold a whole lot of 6003's at my last job, and it's a very good receiver, but it's still a receiver, so I would consider it a temporary solution for the 6.3 in your system.
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Post by roadrunner on Nov 26, 2009 20:06:39 GMT -5
I fully agree with Scott's reply on using the Marantz 6003 to drive the Emotiva ERM-6.3 Center Channel speaker. It would be acceptablle as a stop gap, but you would definitely want to more closely match the power you are using for the Front R and Front L. The center channel is usually the most overlooked speaker in your HT system; and, it shouldn't be. It is the single most important speaker in your HT for producing clear, intelligible sound... about 90% of the dialog come through the center channel speaker. You will want the front three speakers to be as alike as is possible. ;D
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Post by bourbonncigars on Nov 26, 2009 22:31:40 GMT -5
I guess I'm the only one who appreciates matching speakers across the front three...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2009 22:42:45 GMT -5
I guess I'm the only one who appreciates matching speakers across the front three... No you're not.
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Post by Animo on Nov 27, 2009 0:39:09 GMT -5
I guess I'm the only one who appreciates matching speakers across the front three... As Chuckie said....no you're not. Actually it is the recommended set up for any homer theater. Using a different speaker for center duty is a matter of compromise. Not everyone has room for 3 full size speakers across the front. Many of us,(myself included) had larger full range L/R speakers from 2 channel usage. We then had to match a center as best we could for our foray into home theater. In my case, I love my mains so much, and the schematics and specs we drew up were nowhere to be found, after a couple of moves. The 6.3 looked like a good choice to match with what I have, and I wasn't disappointed. Prior to the 6.3, I was using a Fisher XP-55 speaker with a mish-mosh of 3 replacement drivers......a piezo tweeter, 5 inch Philips mid and a 10 inch JBL woofer. It carried sound, but wasn't what I would call top shelf. The 6.3 however is!!
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ntrain42
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Post by ntrain42 on Nov 27, 2009 10:08:15 GMT -5
Honestly, the center your using is more than up to the task at hand, the 6.3 isnt going to be a huge upgrade, if it even is at all(It could even be a downgrade). Even the XPA-5 isnt going to be a huge upgrade, maybe 2 db. of dynamic headroom in reality at 4 ohms.........you have alot of mix n match components..........if your just lookin to spend some cash Id say do the XPA-5 with those maggies.......
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