Newbie asks M60s vs 340s (kinda long)

[curtis]

Moostic...welcome to our humble forum.

The HK330 can easily drive all the speakers.....there should be no problems there.

As for the two speakers, I own the CMT-340, and have heard the M60 in my home, and at an Axiom owners home. With a sub, I think it is an excellent comparison. The midrange and treble are more to my liking on the CMT-340. Neither of the speakers are muffled.

Where are you located?....maybe you can find owners of both and get a listen.

-curtis

[Mag_Neato]

Will you be using a sub right away? The 55w/ch of the 330 should give you enough power if you won't need theater-like sound levels, especially with a sub taking on bass duty. My 170 mains with an older B&W center and two small 2-way surrounds put out plenty of volume in my 13'x 18'(8' ceiling)room with a sub using a 65w/ch Outlaw 1050 receiver. Are you saying that you can only make a partial purchase now, such as a pair of mains, a center or a receiver only? If so, what is your initial budget?

Ed

[Moostic]

Curtis - I am in the Phoenix area.

Mag_Neato - Yes I will be using a sub but it is only the 8" KLH. It is powered and I think 100 or 120 watts. If the 340s sounded better driving the bass themselves then I would not use a sub right away. Yes I can only make a partial purchase now. My overall budget will realistically hit 2000 with 7.1, but I can't wait that long so I will start with 300-600 depending on which component I go with.

Thanks for the help!

[curtis]

Phoenix? Well you are in luck...Rick(mattepntr) just moved there!

-curtis

[Mag_Neato]

If you spend $300 I'd get the 340 center first. If you go $600 I'd get the 340 mains w/stands now....I think Ascend is still running their special on those. If you can stretch your budget a bit, give Dave F. a call or email and see if he can work a 340-all front package price for you!

Ed

[metalaaron]

just a fair warning w/ my experience on the axiom system. i found the vp150 to be very lacking in the performance arena. just my feelings on the sound and i plead the 5th on saying WHY in order to avoid any forum entanglements. some people love it and that's great.

compare the reviews on audioreview.com

[Moostic]

Thanks for all of your thoughts!

Do you really think Ascend might give a break on price for buying 3 pieces at the same time? Do they ever offer b-stock?

Ok I would like to know about 7.1 receivers now. I'm thinking HK and refurb they have the 330 for $393 and the 525 for $430. Since they are very close in price which one is the better choice for 3 340s and 4 170s (that would be my eventual set up).

[curtis]

The best way to find about pricing and b stock is the call them....yes, the occasionally have b-stock.

I had an HK525, it was great for 5.1...I didn't have 7.1 at the time. I am sure the 330 would be fine too. I think the 525 has more flexible bass management.

-curtis

[Moostic]

Curtis - what receiver do you use now? And according to the specs on the 525-Z it says '7.1 Home Theater Receiver'. Did they make changes to the same model number from 5.1 to 7.1?

Also assuming the 525-Z has the same technology as the 330 would it be a no brainer to spend the extra $37 to get 15 more watts per channel?

Thanks for taking the time to answer all of my crazy questions!

[curtis]

I meant I didn't have a 7.1 setup...just 5.1..the receiver could have done 7.1.

I now use a Sherwood Newcastle P-965 pre/pro with ATI amps.

Yes, I would lean toward the 525.

No problem answering questions, that is what the forum is for.

-curtis