To Wes Marshall,
Here is my setup: My front speakers are the B&W 805s. I use the HTM 805 center and ASW subwoofer. The rear speakers are the B&W 686 models. Would an Anthem be a good match in terms of sound and power needed? I am looking at either the MRX 500 or 700. Thank you for your input.
Patrick
Québec, Canada
Nice system. I can see why you want to get a really good receiver. Here's how these power numbers apply: 100W is the conservatively specified output of the MRX 500. That amount of wattage should push an 8-ohm speaker rated at 88dB sensitivity to about 108dB. Moving up to 120W buys you less than 1dB more loudness. The rule is, for every 3dB of added output, you need to double the wattage. Therefore, 111dB, which is a 3dB increase in output, and which is quite a small increase in sound, would require moving to 200W. 114dB would require 400W, etc. And anyway, most speakers are happier operating below 100W.
The problem arises when you are constantly pushing your amp to clipping. That sends the equivalent of ten times the wattage to the tweeters, which then go up in an acrid puff of smoke. The good news is that 88dB is pretty loud already, so 108dB should probably be acceptable to you.
All this is to say, I think you would be quite happy with the Anthem MRX 500. They make superb gear and that is especially true of their amplifier sections. Let us know what you do! . . . Wes Marshall
