Cambridge Audio Minx Loudspeaker Discussion Thread - Page 10

I think you'll have a hard time finding bookshelf speakers that can match the low end response of any system that has a subwoofer included. I would think the bookshelf speakers would have better treble since they would have a separate tweeter. This really isn't a fair question to ask this group. Obviously we love our Minx speakers and for me, any minor advantages the bookshelf speakers might offer are more than countered by the Minx' small size.

Haven't you cost me enough already - LOL!! I have been thinking about adding another one, but it sounds so balanced with music right now that I'm leaving it alone. As a general rule, how much can you turn the vloume up on the back of the sub before you run the risk of damage? I'm at about 60% right now, but might be willing to go a little more for HT if it's safe. My den is reasonably large - 16X24 - so I bet having two subs would make a big difference in filling the room.

That was my hunch a couple of pages back. Burn in!

A bookshelf would not necessarily have better treble than the Minx. It all depends on the particular driver, and there is a distinct advantage to a crossover-less BMR such as the Minx has. The tweeter's interaction with the crossover and the midrange could compromise an otherwise admirable tweeter.
Overall balance and continuity or coherence of sound is very important.

I've been shopping today, hopping to try a Min20/x300 setup... They had one min10, one min20 and a plastic board with drawing onit to show sub size!!! Can you believe it??

They recommanded me a Denon 1612 I think and when I asked for a model with connectivity, they offered me the 2112ci. The price was fair though and I know service is good as well...

Some folks talked to me about Polk Blackstone TL2600 and Mirage Nanosat. I'm keeping my mind open but I think I'll go with S325 or 525. As for the receiver, I'm still confused... Gonna try another shop tomorow

I don't think you will have a problem with a 1612 but i run mine with a denon 1911 and it doesn't seem to cause any trouble, so i think that you should be okay with a 2112.

After running the auto calabration the sound quality is sufficient for my room the sound output these speakers push out is truly remarkable, at -20 on my amp it is really loud with no stess on the speakers i get good volume superb clarity and deep punchy undistorted bass from the x300 i can't say enough about these speakers.

Once they are set up right you definately will be in for a treat. The thing which i'm also surprised about is that i only have 2.1 at the moment and it sounds so good i can only imagine what the sound would be like with another three to make it 5.1.

What gauge wire are you guys using on the speakers? I have a spool of 14 gauge not being used and was wondering if it would fit ok.

Are you comparing a single Min 10 to a single Min 20, with identical input?

How would the min 20's sound with something like the Emotiva X-Ref 10 subwoofer?

I've been reading this thread and some of the reviews, and I have decided to go with a minx system. I'm not sure what combination of speakers to go with, so I was hoping for some advice! I live in a small apartment and the I'll be listening in and L-shaped room, the living area being 13'x15'. Can I get away with an X200 for my small apartment, or should I spring for the X300? I'm thinking of starting out with some min10s, and build onto it with min20s in the future. I'm looking at the marantz nr1602 as far as AVRs go; I haven't seen any mention of them in this thread...any recommendations on a receiver in the $400-600 range?

Hi there i live in a small flat myself and when buying the minxs i was determined to get either the x500 or x300 without even considering the x200, if your not looking to upgrade the sub in the future and you want hard hitting bass then i would plump for the x500.

If you want very good deep taut bass but on a lesser scale then the x300 would be the ulitmate choice.

I had been fortunate to have tried both to know that the x500 was to much for my flat regarding bass but everybodys different. The x300 in my case was the better compromise and i'm not left wanting more when it comes to bass.

I think the marantz 1602 would pair well with the minxs, i actually owned a 1501 myself and had it not have went into protection mode i would still have it.

After that happened i decided to try a denon and i'm equally happy with that.
One thing i would give to marantz and that is they know how to shine when playing music giving a warm sound and i think that in combination with the minxs would be a very good pairing.

Deciding on speakers i think the min10s would be fine as a start if you were looking to eventually move to min20s in the future as there is a difference between the too with the min20s giving that extra bit of volume.

Remember to use the auto calabration if you do indeed decide to buy the marantz hope this helps.

I would prefer the x300, but my budget prefers the x200. However, I don't want to have to upgrade it in the near future. Does anyone here own or have sufficient experience with an x200 to be able to comment on its performance?

In that case i would go with what your budget allows, i have also heard the x200 and it isn't a bad sub still quite punchy with abit of oomph, maybe perpendicular could chime in and add some insight. I think the mirage subwoofers he's using sound like they are good bang for your buck!

I finally ordered a Denon 2312ci and Minx S325 kit yesterday. I will use a 3.1 setup for the next three month in the living room. In febuary, we'll do some major renovation around the house and the Minx system will be installed in the family room. We're rebuilding it from scrath so I'm planing to pass wires through the wall. All the speakers will be fixed on the wall as well. I'll keep you informed of my first impression...

Thanks all for your advices...

For HT I would think twice about the x200. While it's probably a good sub you will need more than it's capable of in order to get a satisfactory experience. Buying that will almost inevitably lead to a future upgrade, and perhaps sooner than later.

FWIW... Cambridge Audio is an excellent company, and they make some fantastic products, but their subs are priced a bit out of line with their capabilities. At least relative to the competition. You might be better served looking at some other options - I suspect you'll be able to find more sub for less money.

"FWIW... Cambridge Audio is an excellent company, and they make some fantastic products, but their subs are priced a bit out of line with their capabilities. At least relative to the competition. You might be better served looking at some other options - I suspect you'll be able to find more sub for less money."

"To get the best out of a Minx system, I would stick to a Minx or other comparable Subwoofer."

Would the HSU STF-1 make a good pairing the Minx 10? And is that considered a comparable sub to the Minx sub? This would be for 90+% music.

Also if I am understanding correctly the Minx 10 spreads the sound around the room as compared to a more direct sound of a typical bookshelf speaker? Does that sound right and if so is the Minx 10 somewhat like Mirage OMD-5 which I thought does similar. Never heard either and I only mention OMD5 as I read about it in recent threads and the descriptions seemed similar. And if either of these "spread around" sound is it much more so than conventional bookshelf say Cambridge S30 to just throw one example? Thanks.

Unfortunately, no the STF-1 isn't a good match. The specification to look for when evaluating a sub is frequency response. It will be given with a low-high number, rated in Hz. For example, 25Hz-150Hz. That upper number is significant for the Minx. Because they have such a smaller driver they're physically unable to play very low, so in order not to create a "hole" in the sound you need a subwoofer that can climb rather high. For proper integration with the Minx you should be looking at an upper number of at least 150Hz. The STF-1 is 90Hz, so it doesn't quite make it.



Most drivers are conical in nature, and thus have a tendency to "beam" the sound. The Minx, on the other hand, utilizes something called a BMR driver. While it looks, for the most part, like an ordinary driver it really isn't. The nature of it's design is to disperse sound in a wider pattern, so there's no "sweet spot". In essence what that means is you can move around, or stand up, and the characteristics of the sound will remain virtually identical. The same can't be said for the majority of other speakers, which is why the Minx is so unique.

I've been looking at getting a small surround system to replace my current Polk setup, as the wife hates big speakers. I've currently got TSi200 fronts, TSi100 rears, a CS10 center and a PSW111 sub all running off a Denon AVR-591 receiver.

I stumbled upon the Minx set and am really liking what I'm reading so far. Does anyone know how the S325 system would sound compared to what I've got now?

Ideally I would like to upgrade my sound while going with smaller speakers, but I don't know if that's possible. My room is 17' x 17' with 14' ceilings. Would the larger sub in the S525 system be overkill for my room? I REALLY like my bass and watch a lot of action movies with loud explosions, etc.

Thanks for any info you can provide fellas!

If it's loud explosion high impact deep bass you want then go for the x500. It won't disappoint, it is insanely powerful especially given it's small footprint.

what i find with the cambridge audio subwoofers is clean deep bass without that bloating effect or chuffing noise that some subs suffer from.

I think that anybody considering raw power on a lower scale should consider the x300 as it punches well above it's weight. Another point to which i think plays apart with the minxs is the timing and cohesion between the sub and speakers...

they work really well together and i think cambridge audio have succeeded in making a very stylish yet capable speaker package.