Monitor 70 Series II and ???

txwingz

To begin with, I am NOT an audiophile. But, I do like good sound whether I'm listening to music or watching a movie or TV. For the past 20 years I've had a Bose Acoustimass speaker system hooked up to a number of different AVRs but I believe they are giving up the ghost. Plus, it's really only a three channel (front & center) system so the rear speakers are going direct to the AVR. The AVR by the way is now a Denon AVR 3313CI and I'm convinced I'm not getting anywhere near the sound I could get from this AVR.

Like I said ... I'm no audiophile. I'm retired and a good bit of my hearing was left at concerts and the occasional battlefield in the 60's so cost is a factor and I will not be "that" critical of the little things that a purist might object to or criticize.

Now, with that in mind, I'm looking at the Monitor 70 Series II towers. My son has them, loves them and is pushing me in that direction. Plus, Egg has a two-fer bundle going on right now that is really a great price. I've read the reviews and for the most part they get a thumbs up. So, my questions are:

1: Will the Monitor 70 play well with the 3313CI?
2: Assuming I go with them, what center and sub would be a good match for them? (I've read some reviews that said the sub wasn't really necessary, but I can't imagine good surround without one)
3: Well, I guess there is no "3", until I post this .... then I'll think of a half dozen other questions.

I appreciate any help/suggestions/comments, etc. Just keep in mind that I'm on a fixed income so please don't start telling me that I need to get "this" or "that" with prices in the $$$$ for each speaker. Would be nice, but I need to stay realistic.

Thanks

cnh

Welcome to the Vanilla but NO chocolate Forums? Sorry Polk!

Denons sound nice with that series of Polks. However, the M-70s or IIs in this case--pretty much the same speakers, like MORE power than that DENON can put out. The good news! Your receiver has Pre-outs so you can add a power amp of 200 watts x 2 or greater in the future and really hear what those 70s can do!

Center channel: CS2-it's the biggest and baddest in this series and you ALWAYS want that for your center since it carries a lot of the surround load (about 50 percent).

SUB? What's your budget? A decent cheap Polk sub would be the old series PSW 505 which would be OK with that system. You can do better if you want to up the budget to $600+ for the sub. But the 505 might be enough for you. That's your call and your budget.

Have fun!

cnh

txwingz

Thanks CNH for the reply and thoughts. Assuming I can't really afford to add a preamp to my set up (not really an assumption, but more a fact), any suggestion on what speakers would work well with the Denon as is? If I recall correctly, it's about 125 watts per channel. Thanks again.

jeremymarcinko

The 70s will sound just fine with the Denon. But yes ext. Amplification will make them sound their best as it would with almost any other speaker. I have a family member who is running his 70 ii's with a denon 33xx reciever and it is a worthwhile setup, I don't think you will be dissatisfied, especially coming from Bose

txwingz

Well, I did it. Ordered the Monitor 70's (great deal from Egg at $299 for the pair), Polk PSW505 Subwoofer and the CS2 Center. Should have them toward the end of this week so I'll let you know how they perform. Thank you so much to those that gave me some guidance in making my selections. Merry Christmas to ME (and my wife of course).

txwingz

Thanks DSkip. Certainly something to consider. Any thoughts on one without breaking my already broke budget? Thanks again.

hochpt21

I definitely don't think you NEED a separate amp.

I have had Monitor 70's with an AVR for a good amount of time. Especially, with a sub..set those speakers to 'small', or set your crossovers properly and they will sound good.

An amp would help you get the last 10% in my opinion, but you may not mind 90% of a really good entry speaker.

hochpt21

Ok, maybe 20%, and we're probably splitting hairs, but if his hearing isn't perfect and he isn't looking for the minor details, he would probably prefer the rumble of even the 505 over the benefit of an amp.

Both a better sub and an amp would be ideal, but it sounds like he's maxing the budget already.

And I don't necessarily disagree with you skip, and I'm not trying to argue...just trying to bring some spirited discussion back to the forum