System matching Marantz w/ Tannoys or Wharfedales

[JK_Livin22]

I am trying to match a Marantz SR4001 A/V receiver with either a pair of Tannoy Mercury F1 Custom speakers or a pair of Wharfedale 9.1s. I am not exactly certain how speaker sensitivity, impedance, and other such factors should be evaluated in determining which pair of speakers would be the best match for this particular receiver. I am also considering the Monitor Audio Bronze BR2s, but they are probably going to be outside the speaker budget. Any advice on system matching any of these speakers with this receiver (Marantz SR4001) would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance to all for your comments/suggestions/replies.

Happy Holidays!



MARANTZ SR4001 SPECS

Features of SR4001/SR5001
- HDMI Ver1.1 (2 In/1 Out) (Processing audio over HDMI)
- Dolby Pro Logic IIx
- Circle Surround II
- Dolby Headphone 2
- HDCD decoding
- Bass Management with Variable Crossover Frequency (80,100,120,150,180Hz)
- 7.1 CH Pre Out / 7.1 CH Analog Input
- 7 x 80 Watts (8 Ohm) (SR4001) / 7 x 90 Watts (SR5001)
- High Power Current Feedback Circuitry
- Massive EI-type Transformer
- 192/24 Crystal DAC for all 8 Channels
- Video Off Mode
- Source/Pure Direct Mode
- Set up Menu via Composite, S-Video, and Component
- Video Upconversion up to Component
- Aluminum front panel
- Multi Room Speaker Out
- New shallow chassis (< 16")
- XM ready (SR5001 only)
- Lip Sync Delay (SR5001 only)
- Multi Room Audio Pre-out (SR5001 only)
- Dimensions W" x H" x D" (Inches): 17 5/16" x 6 5/16" x 15 1/4"
- Weight (lbs): 25.1 (SR4001) / 27.1 (SR5001)



TANNOY MERCURY F1 CUSTOM SPECS

PERFORMANCE
Recommended amplifier power 10 -70 Watts RMS
Continuous power handling 50 Watts RMS
Peak output power 100 Watts
Low frequency response 55Hz
Sensitivity (2.83 volts@1m) 87dB
Nominal impedance 8 Ohms
Frequency response 55Hz - 20kHz
DRIVE UNITS
High frequency 25mm (1.00") Nitro-Urethane layer damped woven polyester dome, shielded neodymium magnet assembly
Low frequency 130mm (5.00") coated multi-fibre paper pulp cone
CROSSOVER
Frequency 2.9kHz
Type 4th order acoustic linkwitz-riley
CONSTRUCTION
Enclosure type Front reflex. 15mm (0.59") particle board, internally cross-braced enclosure.
Shielding Yes
Volume 6.6 litres (0.24 cubic feet)
Weight 4.0kg (8.8lbs)
Dimensions (H x W x D) 300 x 170 x 220mm (11.75 x 6.75 x 8.75”)



WHARFEDALE 9.1 SPECS

Speakers Function Main / Stereo
Nominal Power 20 Watt RMS

Cable
Technical Features
Peak Power Handling 100 Watt
Frequency Reponse 50 Hz - 24000 kHz
Sensitivity 86 dB
Impedance 6 ohm

Magnetically Shielded
Woofer Size 5"
Tweeter Size 0.98"

Dimensions
Width 7.64 in.
Depth 10.94 in.
Height 11.65 in.



MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE BR2 SPECS

Frequency Response +/- 3dB: 42 Hz - 30 KHz
Sensitivity (1W@1M): 90 dB
Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohms
Power Handling (RMS): 100 W
Recommended Amplifier Requirements (RMS): 30 - 100 W
Cabinet Design: Front Ported Bass Reflex
Drive Unit Complement: 1 x 6.5" MMP®II Bass mid-range,
1 x 1" (25 mm) gold dome C-CAM® tweeter
External Dimensions:
(H x W x D) 350 x 185 x 250 mm
13 3/4 x 7 5/16 x 9 13/16 inch
Weight (Individual): 5.8 Kg (12.8 lb)

[markw]

The speakers will determine the sound of your system, not the amplifier. As long as the receiver can handle the load presented by the speakers (impedance and sensitivity), it's contribution to the overall sound is negligible.

[PDN]

The Tannoy speakers will be easier to drive being nominal 8 ohm speakers vs the Wharfedales and the Monitors being 6 ohm units. Keep in mind that Marantz A-V receiver specs can be misleading. I have the SR5600 and recently learned that just because the spec says 90 watts x 7 into 8 ohms 20hz-20khz, doesn't mean that's what the unit will output. That's based on driving two channels/two speakers. As soon as these receivers go into surround sound mode, Marantz guarantees 70% of the rated power of the unit to each channel. So at 80 watts x 7 in the 4001, in surround mode it's only producing approx 56 watts /channel all channels driven. So I would go with the Tannoys since they are a nominal 8 ohm speaker. I know this for a fact as I recently spoke directly with a representative of Marantz over the telephone. They don't publish this information but I wish they would in the future. The 70% they say is a conservative figure. When looking at A-V receiver specs, always look to see what the rated output will be when ALL channels are being driven. Go with the Tannoys.