Which Amp for Sonodyne Sonus 2605 V3 ?

[babudhp]

Friends, need some guidance to choose the right amp for Sonodyne Sonus 2605 V3 Floor Speakers please !
After listening to a few combinations I liked Klipsch RF62 (76K) and Sonus 2605 V3 (31K), the Kplisch RF62 was played through Morantz PM6004 amp - demoed a Jamo 626 too but the sound was very hollow and not to my liking..the Sonus V3 was powered by the Sia 320 amp (Sonodyne).
Though the Klipsch was more true and warmer (don't know whether due to the Morantz) I have zeroed in on Sonus 2605 as it was comparable and at less than half the price !
Now I'm stuck on selecting the amp, all reviews I read have mentioned Sonus+Morantz as a good combo as the Morantz is warm and balances the Sonus well which is on the brighter side. While listening to Sia 320 with the Sonus FS I felt it to be a bit bright too. Listening needs would be 70% music & 30% movies - don't want a 5.1 system
The Sonus V3 is spec'ed at 130 RMS @ 8 ohm. The Sia 320 drives 80 @ 8 ohm whereas the Morantz 6004 is 45 @ 8 ohm 2 ch driven. Would the Morantz be too underpowered to drive these speakers ??
Problem is I cant listen to the Morantz 6004 + Sonus 2605 combo as there is only 1 showroom of Sonodyne in Mumbai which deals in only SOnodyne products and no other dealers have a Sonodyne to demo with a Morantz !:sad:
Please suggest what would be a good amp for the Sonus 2605 V3 in a budget of around 30-40k ? Would I need an amp with more than 100w @ 8 ohm to get the best out of the speakers ? please help decide !

 

[elangoas]

Friends, need some guidance to choose the right amp for Sonodyne Sonus 2605 V3 Floor Speakers please !
After listening to a few combinations I liked Klipsch RF62 (76K) and Sonus 2605 V3 (31K), the Kplisch RF62 was played through Morantz PM6004 amp - demoed a Jamo 626 too but the sound was very hollow and not to my liking..the Sonus V3 was powered by the Sia 320 amp (Sonodyne).
Though the Klipsch was more true and warmer (don't know whether due to the Morantz) I have zeroed in on Sonus 2605 as it was comparable and at less than half the price !
Now I'm stuck on selecting the amp, all reviews I read have mentioned Sonus+Morantz as a good combo as the Morantz is warm and balances the Sonus well which is on the brighter side. While listening to Sia 320 with the Sonus FS I felt it to be a bit bright too. Listening needs would be 70% music & 30% movies - don't want a 5.1 system
The Sonus V3 is spec'ed at 130 RMS @ 8 ohm. The Sia 320 drives 80 @ 8 ohm whereas the Morantz 6004 is 45 @ 8 ohm 2 ch driven. Would the Morantz be too underpowered to drive these speakers ??
Problem is I cant listen to the Morantz 6004 + Sonus 2605 combo as there is only 1 showroom of Sonodyne in Mumbai which deals in only SOnodyne products and no other dealers have a Sonodyne to demo with a Morantz !:sad:
Please suggest what would be a good amp for the Sonus 2605 V3 in a budget of around 30-40k ? Would I need an amp with more than 100w @ 8 ohm to get the best out of the speakers ? please help decide !

I have experimented my Sonus 2605 with following AVR / stereo amplifier combo so far...

Marantz AVR SR 5200 + Sonodyne 2 channel Power amplifier + Sonus 2605
Onkyo HTR 540 + Sonus 2605
Onkyo TX NR 818 + Sonus 2605
NAD C326BEE + Sonus 2605
Sonodyne Sia 320 + Sonus 2605 so far.....
Yamaha AX 497 + Sonus 2605

Stereo amplifier brings the best out of Sonus 2605.... I liked Sonodyne amplifier 320 paired with Sonus 2605.... Thought it doesn't have power like NAD C326....

Not sure why it sounded bright to you.. what was the source used ?

NAD 326 drives the Sonus 2605 with absolute authority....:thumbsup: and so is Yamaha AX 497

 

[babudhp]

Thanks elangoas !
The sia320 + sonus 2605 was played through Sony BDP-S490, not the best source but thats the only one the Sonodyne guys had !:sad:
do you think the source is making the pair sound too bright ?

I will check out the NAD 326 and Yamaha AX 497...whats your thought on Marantz PM6004 ?? is it good enough to drive FS ?
A friend suggested harman kardon HK 3490 but its a stereo receiver whereas my requirement is an amp..but the reviews say its good with warm speakers like Klpisch, whereas Sonus 2605 is on the brighter side..any thoughts ?

 

[elangoas]

Thanks elangoas !
The sia320 + sonus 2605 was played through Sony BDP-S490, not the best source but thats the only one the Sonodyne guys had !:sad:
do you think the source is making the pair sound too bright ?

I will check out the NAD 326 and Yamaha AX 497...whats your thought on Marantz PM6004 ?? is it good enough to drive FS ?
A friend suggested harman kardon HK 3490 but its a stereo receiver whereas my requirement is an amp..but the reviews say its good with warm speakers like Klpisch, whereas Sonus 2605 is on the brighter side..any thoughts ?

Sony BDP might be the culprit here having bright sound signature....Nothing wrong with the Sonodyne Sia 320 amplifier...

Per the specs, Marantz PM 6004 might be underpowered for Sonus 2605...

I have read good review of Harmon Kardon HK3490.... Never had an opportunity to demo that stereo receiver in chennai...

But i suggested a HK AVR 4000 to my friend along with Sonus 1501 BS... & it was pretty good pairing...

I am currently using onkyo AVR with Sonus 2605... Onkyo AVR are generally perceived to be on the brighter side.... with Sonus 2605 there are fractionally bright...But that is ok...I love it that way...

If HK 3490 is well with in your budget, consider them.. They seem to have continuos power of 100W/Channel @ 8 ohms which is a sign of very good amplifier.....

PS : Generally metal tweeters are said to be bright.. They need careful matching... But as far as any soft dome tweeter is concerned, they could be fractionally (or) occasionally bright depending on partnering amplifier...

 

[babudhp]

Thanks ! So Marantz is out then..checked with HK store in Mumbai - they are not selling amps here (only AVRs) is what i heard from the store manager ! :sad:
He also mentioned that HK3490 is discontinued..is there any other place I can search for a HK amp ? I will anyway call their office for a confirmation..

The Yamaha AX497 seems to be discontinued..
to So the choice would be Sia320 or NAD326 (though its rated at 50w@8ohm, similar to Marantz 6004) for me..need to find a way to get hold of the NAD to take to the showroom to play with the speakers

 

[sanjitm]

an old thread, but still could not get the answer to my question, perhaps elangoas would be the best person to answer this..

did anyone actually compare the sonus 2605 v3 speakers with NAD 326 and marantz PM5004 or PM6004 with similar settings and similar music? if so what was the result? does the comparison depend a lot on the kind of music.

 

[theironhorse]

an old thread, but still could not get the answer to my question, perhaps elangoas would be the best person to answer this..

did anyone actually compare the sonus 2605 v3 speakers with NAD 326 and marantz PM5004 or PM6004 with similar settings and similar music? if so what was the result? does the comparison depend a lot on the kind of music.

i have heard the sonus 2605 v3 with pm6005 (one with dac) at sound_cycle's place as he reported that the speakers just do not sound right. once i went there the soundstage and bass was missing or i must confess not at all.
tried placements.. no go..

then tried his amp with my PSB's and it was quite similar to NAD C325..

so if you looking for a complete FS experience get something thats warm sounding with good power and awesome low end.. which will compensate the short comings of the speakers as 2605's are lil bright.

 

[efernand1]

Hi

Technically to a certain extent...the impedence of the amp + speakers should be more or less the same. Also if the speakers have a higher sensitivity 89db or more..... even a decent low power amp can drive it well.
Marantz has been in the business for more than 50 years and has been doing a lot of research to ensure its customers get the best experience with quality....

I use a Marantz NR 1402 AVR which is 5.1 but it works well in stereo mode...the warm music really makes you feel great and proud to own a system..here is a link which may guide you with regards to amps..it has been posted by other FM

AV Receiver and Amplifier Power Ratings Trends: How and Why Wattage Ratings are Manipulated | Audioholics

There are tons of reviews and videos on the net....go through them and decide....

Hope this helps

 

[sanjitm]

hmm, that's interesting..

Actually, I have a pair of Sonus 2605 V3 speakers. I bought it with an SiA 320 amplifier. The combo is good, specially for vocals. However, recently I got an used NAD 326, it is far more warm as well as musical, but then the vocals don't sound as powerful as the SiA 320. However, after a while I decided to get rid of the SiA amplifier, these days I'm more into laid back Jazz! Anyway, I was then wondering if a Marantz amp could combine the best of these two - laid back + good vocal.

In any case, for the speakers bass is enough for my taste, specially with the NAD and instrument separation is not an issue. Soundstage is also fine, though instrument positioning may not be that accurate.

 

[elangoas]

hmm, that's interesting..

Actually, I have a pair of Sonus 2605 V3 speakers. I bought it with an SiA 320 amplifier. The combo is good, specially for vocals. However, recently I got an used NAD 326, it is far more warm as well as musical, but then the vocals don't sound as powerful as the SiA 320. However, after a while I decided to get rid of the SiA amplifier, these days I'm more into laid back Jazz! Anyway, I was then wondering if a Marantz amp could combine the best of these two - laid back + good vocal.

In any case, for the speakers bass is enough for my taste, specially with the NAD and instrument separation is not an issue. Soundstage is also fine, though instrument positioning may not be that accurate.

@ present, i have paired Sonus 2605 with Onkyo Tx NR 818 AVR (Bi-amped)..

NAD C326 drives the Sonus 2605 crazy @ 9'o Clock position... While Sia 320 is not as powerful as NAD C326, it is equally good....

NAD delivers bass with authority..... BTW what is your source for music ?

 

[sanjitm]

@ present, i have paired Sonus 2605 with Onkyo Tx NR 818 AVR (Bi-amped)..

NAD C326 drives the Sonus 2605 crazy @ 9'o Clock position... While Sia 320 is not as powerful as NAD C326, it is equally good....

NAD delivers bass with authority..... BTW what is your source for music ?

Same here, I'm using the NAD 326 little below the 9'Oclock position and bass is great for my taste. Though couple of my friends said they would have liked even more bass, but that may totally overwhelm the music in my opinion. I actually have a Jamo Sub attached to the preout, but I use it only for watching movies.

The source is a Marantz UD5005 Universal player and I also play music from an old Mac Mini through FIIO D3 DAC. Though Marantz sound is better, most of the time I end up playing music from the computer due to convenience and speed!

Anyhow, if you have access to a Marantz PM*004, it will be interesting to know how it compares with the NAD 326 for the Sonus 2605 V3. In other threads and forums there are many debates on NAD 326 vs Marantz PM*004.

 

[sound_cycle]

Friends, need some guidance to choose the right amp for Sonodyne Sonus 2605 V3 Floor Speakers please !
<snip>
Would I need an amp with more than 100w @ 8 ohm to get the best out of the speakers ? please help decide !

I've been pulling my hair and toenails out over this one.

I will point you to these

here is why the second question probably exists.

and this is an interesting thread too. Also this one

While i wait for epiphany to smack me in the face with a wet fish, provisionally

- I don't need an amplifier that can start a truck for my speakers - the same as you mention BTW. Underpowered amp I am having to "make do with" being a PM6005 which puts out a mere 2 x 45W.

- 50-watt amp through a 4x12 cab (for eg) will be somewhat louder than a 50-watt amp through a 2x12 cab. The additional speakers in the 2605 do not *necessarily* need a ginormous amp to move that additional air. (for the moment I am not sure of the speaker efficiency bit)

- I've read that bi amping without an external crossover does not do much beyond the feel good factor (disclaimer this one is internet gyaan only and I do not have two amps to try it. I probably will not try this one out in my quest for better sound from my 2605s)

will add.

edit: how are the crossovers on the 2605 ?. The spec says Linkwitz-Riley. Has any FM seen them / pic on the net ?

ciao
gr

 

[docd]

an old thread, but still could not get the answer to my question, perhaps elangoas would be the best person to answer this..

did anyone actually compare the sonus 2605 v3 speakers with NAD 326 and marantz PM5004 or PM6004 with similar settings and similar music? if so what was the result? does the comparison depend a lot on the kind of music.

I have used Sonodyne 2605 v1 with Marantz PM 6002. Not bad but you need volume at 10 or 11 to get put the best. Not heard the v3 but guess sound signature should be similar .

 

[anshley]

Hello Everyone,

I have yamaha htr 6230, and I am planning to buy Sonus 2605 V3.
Just want to know whether my amplifier is good enough for these speakers

 

[John]

Guys,

Anyone tried these speakers (Sonodyne V2 2605) with Denon AVRs? Looking to use these with my Denon 1707, biamping the speakers.

It is for the V2, not V3.

 

[thameem]

yamaha 377 . sp?

 

[theraindew]

I have v3 bi-amped to X2000. From what i understand, the difference between v2 and v3 is only cosmetic.

Guys,

Anyone tried these speakers (Sonodyne V2 2605) with Denon AVRs? Looking to use these with my Denon 1707, biamping the speakers.

It is for the V2, not V3.

 

[John]

Guys, looking for a good stereo amp for my 2605s. Any leads? Will be visiting Kolkata soon for auditions.

As a side note, I heard a Cambridge audio amp (851a) recently with some very good speakers (Triangulars), and they really sounded good.

 

[sound_cycle]

Please suggest what would be a good amp for the Sonus 2605 V3 in a budget of around 30-40k ? Would I need an amp with more than 100w @ 8 ohm to get the best out of the speakers ? please help decide !

Ummm define best ?

I've been in a similar situation and did something very different, I changed the ghastly speakers

ciao
gr