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Just purchased Axiom M50's - My God do I need a new amp?

I am just beginning to build a decent audio system and I have some crucial burning questions and am looking for some expert advice.

I just purchased a pair of Axiom M50ti tower speakers after doing a great deal of research. Although they are a far sight better than what I had before, I must admit that I am a little disappointed with imaging, and the high-end is not as present and clear as expected. Bass is a little boomy. I have done a great deal of experimentation with speaker placement (How far should the speakers be from the wall?)
But I suspect that the other components in my system are not flattering these speakers, so I am not criticizing Axiom's products. Read on...

Also, although I am told that the speakers are very efficient, they don’t really seem to shine until played at significant volume. It seems that at low volume the drivers aren’t really kicking in and various frequency ranges are missing. The problem is that I live in an apartment complex (in a unit of modest size - ~10x20 living room, carpet and high ceilings) and so I want good bass, but don’t want it to be boomy, and I need accurate sound reproduction at low volume. Should I be looking at bookshelf speakers such as the Axiom M3ti’s (although I am told they are actually less efficient than the much larger M50ti’s!) or does this all point to my amplifier?

Okay, so I admit: I am using an Optimus STAV-3590 receiver. That's right - Radio Shack. It’s rated at 150w/ch. It’s got a bass boost (is this a bad sign?) which I am NOT using. Treble control is maxed, bass control is midlined. The goofy AV effects are all turned off.

I am familiar with the concept of Garbage-In Garbage-Out and am wondering: am I completely betraying these speakers? Should I even bother debating over whether to upgrade the 50’s to 60’s or replacing them with M3ti’s before replacing my amplifier? I realize that I am sorely in need of an amp upgrade, but just how much of a difference am I going to notice? If I buy a NAD amp am I going to wet my pants and praise the gods?

This brings up a host of questions about just how much effect an amplifier has on certain performance aspects – please educate me.

My burning questions:

Low-power amps: Are they better at low volume?
It seems that many consumer-grade amps come in 80w, 100w per-channel or more – this seems to be a brag-factor for many folks. I don’t need the extra power for high volume due to my current apartment-living situation, but I’d like to allow some room in case I move into a house one day. I was surprised to see that NAD sells a lot of amps rated below 50w per channel. With efficient speakers such as the Axiom’s is this sufficient for practical use? And will a lower-power (quality) amp provide more accurate reproduction at lower volume? Will my speakers “kick in” at a lower volume? Will a better amp with a higher power rating also perform better at low volume? What power range should I be looking for?

Just what are an amplifier’s effect on imaging? It seems that the speakers should play more of a role in this facet of reproduction. With a quality amp will these speakers “disappear”?

Am I going to notice better high-end with a better quality amp? Will bass be less boomy?

Considering that my budget is very modest (the speakers were a stretch), what recommendations would you make on a good pre-owned amp for under $500? I am tempted to buy a simple quality amplifier/receiver for music and purchase a separate AV amplifier for home audio. That way when Dolby releases a new standard I won’t have to chuck an expensive integrated amp. I would like to build a home theater system but am much more concerned with a quality music reproduction than high-quality HT. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.


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Topic - Just purchased Axiom M50's - My God do I need a new amp? - scottilad 12:56:23 07/26/02 (8)


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