Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Denon with external amp

With the graph it looks real good on paper. This is the curve that sold me with Axiom speakers. But, believe me, when you have the 80s in the room and play demo loud you will find out the what 80s can lead into distortion. It does dip a lot lower than that. Before the external amp. My denon never clip. Right now I am listening with my friend. He is new in HT audiophile world and listening to my system as I typing. It did clips twice now. We played Snoopdog, alicia key, Jay Z...anything with heavy bass it will distort. Plus, I have my neighbor brought his Polk LSi 15 (4ohms) and we are doing A/B right now...into 5 mins. Polk is doing OK. I am stuck with the 80s. They do sound very dynamic with EMOTIVA AMP...I am looking into other amp right too power my 80s.

I know what the M80s can do, I've had them nearly 7 years. I power them with a Rotel RB 1080 and never had the Rotel go into protect mode. A good quality amp should have no problem driving the Axioms to ear bleeding levels. The Rotel can indeed do it.

If I'm not mistaken, haven't there been complaints about Emotiva amps shutting down on other 4 ohm speakers besides Axioms?

Yes. This is my first for going external. Thanks for sharing about the Rotel. I just learning now that I have to find an amp that is stable at 2 ohm to drive the 80s because Rotel is stable at 2 ohm. EMO XPA 2 amp is not. I will look into Rotel and can you tell me where you get yours. I am looking into 2 channels amp that is under $1000.00 and around 300 watts or higher the better. Let me know. Again, I think 80s do dips below 3ohms and fews amp out there can handle those low impedence load. Thanks

The high end Emotivas are the only external amps we've come across with problems with the M80s. Outlaws, Rotels, Parasounds, Crowns, Axioms (of course), Denons, no problem. High end Emotiva? Problem. I wouldn't be pointing at the M80s...

I've driven my 80's to some pretty darn high levels without ever once clipping the 80s and it's only rated at 75wpc.

I'm with the others, it ain't the M80s.

Rotel is only sold by local retailers. Check the Rotel site to see if you have a dealer near you.

Seems strange the Denon doesn't shut down but the EMO amp does. That should tell ya something about the quality.

The graph I posted was done by a third party, SoundStage , and was done independently. Once again, the M80s do not fall below 4 ohm.

Did you test them to come to your conclusion?

No measure just by reading lots of reviews such as http://WWW.skiingninja.com and many Axiom owners discussed in EMOTIVA Forum. I will post the website that talks about the 80s impedence dip below 4 ohm. Believe me I love Axiom speakers. Denon do not have thermal heat sensor. That they will not shut down, but the play loud and no dynamic details compare with what I am hearing from EMOTIVA AMP. I am planning to return the amp next week. Also, I did talked with EMO Tech. and they can not believe M80v2 is very hard to drive...Well, I believe all your words and other reviews are true. Until now, I experienced what is really mean with clipping issue. Thanks again. I will look into Rotel and Adcom.

Yeah, the Ninja has a serious beef with Axiom (particularly because of this forum, I believe)--and he hasn't tested the current M80s.

It's really your choice as to which forum population to believe, but at least we've got the graphs on our side.

And....those graphs are third party, as Rick mentioned.