Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners M80s and Denon 2808CI

Hello all,

After what seems like forever, last week I finally placed my
order through the Factory Outlet Shop: VP150, QS8s, EP350, and
M60s.

In anticipation of arrival 3 weeks from now, I've been reading
all of the posts comparing M60s and M80s. Worried that I am
going to eventually be hit with the upgrade bug, I've been
thinking about ordering the M80s now.

I have a Denon 2808CI. Reading through the users manual, I've
found that they are rated for 6 - 8 ohm speakers. However, there
is a mention of 4 ohm speakers and the possibility of
over-heating/auto shutdown.

Is anyone running the 2808CI with the M80s? Is overheating an
issue? How about distortion?

I can swing the extra $$$ for the M80s, but I've only had the
2808CI about six months, and my wife won't go for a new receiver.

I'd love to order the M80s, but if they are not
compatible/optimal for my current AVR, I'd be happy with the
M60s.

Thanks in advance.

You'll be just fine with the 2808Ci. Denons are often referenced around here as being quite stable with M80s. If you find it's not loud enough without distorting (as in, you're pushing +10 on the receiver), you can always add an outboard amp.

The Denon will be fine! And Welcome!

ditto what they said.

The key is not to let any amplifier enter clipping when playing anything. I never allow my amp to start distorting no matter how loud I might want it to go. Nobody here will argue with this.

*** Unless your as good as Jimi Henrix was using it to it's fullest potential. These aren't Marshall stacks but dang they sound like em alot.

Thanks guys.

I like loud, but probably not as loud as some other folks. Loud for me is probably between 0 and +5. Probably wouldn't go up to a +10 and definitely not for a sustained period of time.

I agree, any hints of clipping would immediately get turned down.

Hopefully all of my mp3s wont sound bad because of the clarity of the speakers.

I called in and upgraded to the M80s. Only 3 weeks to go!!

Uh oh.

What's the bitrate on your MP3's? Axiom speakers are going to reveal everything. GIGO. Axioms have a big "Wow Factor" with good recordings, but are not terribly forgiving of suboptimal source material.

I think you will find you won't be running the Denon at 0 or +5 much with the Axioms, they are more sensitive than many other speakers, I hit about 98 db cleanly with my old Denon 1804 and that was very loud in my room , I can now hit around 105 deepnding on the material with the 3808 and that is still around 0 on the volume control.

I trust your MP3s are ripped to at least 128K or higher, otherwise you will find them to sound bad. The M60s are slightly more forgiving IMO and might have been a better choice to stick with, I think I would have stayed the course and had a listen to the M60s as to whether or not you NEEDED to upgrade to the M80s, if your main source is lower grade MP3s.

If you have the money spend it on the speakers and work on the rest as you go. You will rarely regret it. They are THE main puzzle piece. In this case you have the satisfaction of having the best mains Axiom offers. Peace of mind is worth alot, imo.

mattress, coffee cup and speakers...do it as right as ya can.

Most of my mp3s are encoded at 192K or higher; about 25% are encoded at 128K, but none lower. I've listened to them through Audio Technica noise-canceling headphones, and most of the sound pretty clean. Hopefully the M80s don't make them sound too bad and I can still bear to listen them through the Axioms.

Jay,

I was going back and forth on weather to audition the M60s and most likely would have been happy with them. But its that never knowing what you don't have. Most reviews I've read have them pretty close with differences being at high levels and clarity at lower levels.

I have a 1 year old, so most of my movie watching is when she is asleep. She can sleep through noise, but I won't be cranking the volume while she is sleeping. I'll appreciate the clarity at lower levels.

Also, by the time you pay return shipping, you've paid a good portion of the price difference.


I was all set and happy with the M60s, but too much free time and reading convinced me that M80s were the way to go. But if most music will sound better through the M60s, I'm not too sure.