Cambridge Audio Minx Loudspeaker Discussion Thread - Page 9

Sorry if this is a dumb question (I'm very new to hifi) but isn't the 2312 massive overkill for the minx? Given that the min10's power handling is 15w to 50w.

I thought one of the big advantages of the minx was that even a humble receiver could adequately drive them.

will these speakers accept banana speaker cable, I have some very high end cable I want to use, but the specs don't mention if they would work, thanks

I don't recall that being mentioned as a virtue of these speakers. Small size, extraordinary spatiality, transparency...these are acknowledged qualities of the Minx Speakers.

When you have a power handling figure quoted, that will give you an idea of where you could blow out the speakers. But below that input, you still want amplifier headroom so the power that comes out is clean and undistorted.

I should have stated my source. I was referring to the soundandvisionmag.com review (listed on the first page of this thread). On the final page it concludes:
"The Min10's high 90-dB sensitivity and mild 9-ohm nominal impedance ensure that you can drive this system even with the cheesiest receiver your local A/V store has in stock"

I appreciate the input from you guys and will get the best receiver I can afford. Probably a Denon 1912, as AV receivers are expensive in the 220v variety.

I'm looking to setup a 3.1 system in my family room and am trying to decide between min 10 or min 20 for the Left and Right. I am going to go min 20 for the center. I am also leaning towards the Mirage MM8 for a sub over the Cambridge X200 in order to save some money. I have an open floor plan for the family room into the kitchen with hardwood floors and a rug in the family room. The seating area is about 12 feet from the tv. My ceilings are 9 feet tall. Here is a crude picture of the layout with measurements. I will be using a Yamaha 663 receiver with this setup. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you, but you have me confused b/c I read your previous post before you deleted it. : )

Hmmmm tough decision. Since this is the family room, I won't be able to crank it very often so I shouldn't need a ton of volume but if the fullness of the 20s is evident at normal volume they may be worth it. Also, is there another sub in the mm-8's price range I should be considering? Does the omni s-8 perform better? I have a little bit of room to work with so don't necessarily need something super small. I know smaller speakers can be harder to match with a sub so want to make sure the sub meshes well with them.

Hi, I have many questions about these but I have not read the entire thread but did read most of the first page but wonder about some comparisons. This is for music only in terms of comparison. I may(likely) also hook up the Minx package to tv too but I am most interested in music.

At Crutchfield they have a a package of 2 Minx 10 & MinxX200 sub for $550. How would that compare to a pair of Cambridge S30 bookshelf speakers & S90 sub? That would total in the same 5-550 range. I would have guessed the S30/S90 combo would be better for music but after seeing some of the great reviews for these I am not sure. I was also interested in the same comparison with the NHT Super Zero/Sub 8 package which is in the same price range. Are the Minx as good or better than those two other packages even though much smaller?

I had the same question comparing the Minx $550 combo versus just a good pair(whichever those may be) of bookshelf speakers alone(2.0) in the same price range, say the PSB Image B6 for example. Again this is just for music only. Would you have a clear preference?

Lastly, how would this Minx $550 combo compare to some small 5.1 systems say the Energy Take Classic or Def Tech Pro Cinema 60.6 or even the Martin Logan MLT1 & MLT 2? Most of those are in the $400 range(when ML on sale or even less) but is the Minx combo superior to them for music?

Sorry if many of these questions came up earlier in this thread but was curious about these for awhile. Thanks.

roark

Hi roark bookshelf speakers or standmounts will always have the edge over the small satelites, as the minxs arent capable of producing bass from there small drivers so they would need the sub in all cases, on the other hand when used with a subwoofer the sound quality they produce is very, very impressive.

I have to say that i'm completely happy with the min20 and x300 combo i have and enjoy music and movies alot. I have absolutely no regrets downsizing to these as the sound astounds me everytime i listen to them. If you could stretch to the min20s over the min10s it will give you alittle more volume.

Ok thanks. You think the MM-8 is the better option over the X200 though?

So I take it, based on your own criteria, that the MM-8s have as quick a response time as the X300?

Of course it would be interesting to hear how two MM8s stack up against an X300.

Hey Cambridge Audio! How about some brick and mortar display venues for your products in Southern California? We're bigger than Chipping Camden!

"roark,

I would like to add that these are very good speakers for their size footprint. If you are wanting something to take the least amount of space, and at the same time, have very good sound quality, the Minx are for you.

Will this be for a two-channel (2.1) based system only?"

Yes 2.1 only. I was actually also just curious about these because I had read about the S30's here several months ago as they had received high praise and wondered how these would fare to those if the S90 sub was included.

I am also interested in the comparison for the same 5-600 of just 2.0 bookshelf's alone versus the Minx 2.1 for music listening only. I would like a sub generally but if I use with normal size bookshelf speakers the only place for sub would be along a shared wall of my townhouse and I am concerned I won't really be able to enjoy it there with any volume. But with the Minx as they are so small I have more placement options including much more nearfield. How are they in that setting say only 2-3 feet away as compared to 12-13?

Those 5.1 sub/sat systems I mentioned earlier all seem to get mostly get good to excellent reviews yet are less money than Minx 2.1 so I was just wondering if the sound quality of the Minx was actually superior to those.

Thanks again.

Vanns has the MM8 for a great price. I'm very happy with mine. It doesn't overpower the Minx and blends in very nicely. I haven't heard the X300 either but the specs seem very close and I couldn't pass up the savings. They had an open box item that was brand new, so I got mine for an even better deal.

I think any sub along that shared wall will not foster good relations with your neighbors.

"roark,

I would stick with a bookshelf speaker that will give you bottom end to, at least, 50-60 hz and pass on the Subwoofer."

"I think any sub along that shared wall will not foster good relations with your neighbors."

Yeah that is what I thought too and at least partly why I have been hesitant to get a sub.

If that was not an issue though do you think you would prefer the Minx 2.1 over whichever $550 bookshelf pair of your choice for music?

Thanks again.

Mark,
You mentioned in an earlier post that you thought the MM8 was anemic for home theater and that you wanted more out of it. Do you still feel this way after more hours with it? My setup will mostly be used for home theater so I am a little concerned.

I think the sub has certainly improved over the time I've had it. I started with it at 1/2 volume and ran Audyssey on my Denon receiver. Even with my previous Orb setup I had to increase the sub volume some for movies. So I simply turned the sub volume up some and I back it down on the receiver when listening to music. It still doesn't rattle the walls, but it gives plenty of volume on explosions and such in home theater, and it is fantastic with music.