Best Speaker to use with Arcam AVR300?


Hello All, I recently purchased an Arcam AVR300 and would like any input on what speakers would sound best with this receiver. All of you who own an Arcam, let me know what speakers you're using and how you like the combo. Thanks!
denon53
There are quite a few choices here. Look under 2004 home theater.

http://www.reviewerschoice.com/frame.html
There are a few of variables at stake here - price range, intended use, size constraints, environment. I own an AVR200. I bought it for primary use in a 2-channel system, but with the thought of building an HT-system some day. I originally used B&W 602 S3's for fronts, with the matching sub (and some old JVC mini-system monitors as rears). They were very effective monitors, especially in combination with the sub. I now have Meadowlark Ospreys that are still in the break-in stage. Though not fully seasoned, I can tell that they are more natural sounding than the B&W's with a taller soundstage, if that makes any sense. I purchased them based on the warmth of the Arcam. I am really looking forward to the combo when the Ospreys start to show their true colors.

Something to keep in mind on the Arcam is the power management is superb. My 200 is rated at 85 wpc, but that is very deceptive. It will push hard without straining and so is well suited to speakers that might generally be thought of as "hungry." I expect the same is even more true on the 300 at 120/100 wpc.

The importer, Audiophile Systems, as well as some distributors that I have spoken to, will tell you that as a British component it is best suited to British speakers, a la B&W. I don't buy it having heard how it's working with my Ospreys and having also listened to some JM Labs monitors (whose sound I generally find bright and sterile). But if you're thinking ht/multi-channel, some speaker makers, such as B&W, offer a wide enough range to select speakers that are well matched with each other. Had I kept the 602's I intended to either make them rears and add 603's for fronts, or add 601's for rears.

Plenty of listening should make the decision (difficult) for you. Please post back; I'm real interested to know what you select.
Interestingly, and perhaps oddly, I'm using Merlin VSM-MMs with my Arcam AVR 300. I biamp them by taking the 6th and 7th channels and sending that power to the fronts.

All I can say is, I'm happy with the results! I have no room in my rack for separates, and I wanted "the world's greatest [audiophile] receiver". Please take the bracketed word in context...the Arcam is a lot cheaper than the Pioneer Jumbo or the Denon Humungous (or whatever those mass market brands are called), but I really think the AVR300 far surpasses those behemoths in the areas of subtlety and nuance.

And the Merlin's benefit greatly from that. Maybe not the ultimate Merlin experience, exactly, compared to $10k of amplification, but I really enjoy the synergy.