Rethinking my system: Your ideas are appreciated

Since you're using a 7-channel (with 5 powered channels) AV receiver and have a subwoofer, is this a surround HT system or are you using it for 2.1 ch. stereo?

I notice you're considering changing to a 2-channel integrated (Anthem 225), so I'm guessing you're not using the Rotel for surround sound. I just looked at a photo of the back panel of your sub and you really don't have to worry about whether you can hook it up with whatever you buy. Your sub has a versatile set of inputs--you can plug in a mono LFE RCA interconnect, R-L stereo interconnects, or speaker cables. The Anthem 225 has a pair of preamp-out jacks, so you could use a stereo pair of interconnects to drive your subwoofer. If you were to get a stereo integrated amp *without* pre-outs, you could still connect your sub with speaker cables.

Now on to the speakers. I have recently auditioned a pair of speakers that should be about perfect for your situation. 20x24 is a large room, and many good floorstanders that can fill that space are above your budget. However, the Monitor Audio Silver RX8 is an excellent, well made speaker with a neutral tonal balance, excellent low level detail, and BIG sounding in a modest size and right about at your budget. They retail at $1750/pair (here's a demo pair right at your budget) and are a demure 38" high. I heard these in a ~16x20 room and they were actually a bit much for it. They should be perfect for 20x24. In fact, this double-ported speaker comes with a pair of foam plugs for the ports if you need to dampen the port output to fit the room. That gives you 4 different physical bass damping configurations.

I also listened to the next size down, the RX6, which is slightly smaller and has one less woofer. It's amazing how much more sound Monitor Audio got out of the RX8 with just one more woofer. The RX8 makes the RX6 sound like a compact by comparison--nice sounding in the sweet spot, but not at all room-filling like the RX8. The Absolute Sound noticed the same things about the RX8's clarity, detail, smoothness, tonal balance, dynamics, and room-filling abilities in this review. It was also a TAS Editor's Choice.

Your instincts are correct. The speakers are simply too small and the power too little. Class D amps have all the watts you ned cheap enough, as mentioned Wyred4sound and others. The problem is the class D sonic is bit on the dry side. Choosing speakers is a matter of personal preference. You seem to be happy enough with the Dyns so you might have to wait until you have enough money to buy more substantial Dyne Speakers.

Johnnyb53,

The Rotel is from a home theater setup that I had several years ago. I recently moved into a different house, so I don't run surrounds anymore - just mains and a sub.

Interesting that you recommended the RX8s - I briefly auditioned the RX6s a few months ago, and decided to stick with the Dyns. I didn't think the RX6s added anything that I wasn't already getting. That said, I have not heard the RX8s, but since you feel there is a substantial difference between those and the RX6s, I may have to give them a try.

I will also probably trade in the Rotel in favor of an integrated amp with more power.

Thanks for your helpful suggestions!

^^^

Thanks for the info Alderash. Sitting next to each other in the audition room and driven by the same source and amplification, the RX6 sounded like what it was, a compact floorstander. With the addition of one more woofer and a couple inches bigger in each direction, the RX8 somehow sounded like a huge floorstander by comparison.

A powerful 2-channel integrated is certainly the Anthem 225. You can use it with your sub and everything. Another integrated I like *a lot* is the Marantz PM8004. Although it's in their regular product lineup, it is built at Marantz's Reference line facility in Japan. It shares similar component quality and is the only mid-level Marantz amp to use their HDAM gain module, which they use throughout the Reference line. The PM8004 doesn't have the brute power of the Anthem, but at 100w into 4 ohms (the Monitor Audio RX8 is 4 ohms) it sounds like it's much more powerful. Its grip on multi-woofered ported speakers is exemplary. It has the speed and low level detail of a boutique amp. It reproduces all the recording venue ambience and draws the listener (me) into the performance. I heard this $999 integrated power a $12K pair of Sonus Faber Cremona Ms as though it was born to the task.

The Anthem is a great amp with lots of power at $1500, but the Marantz is kind of special. Here's the TAS review.

If you like the dynaudio sound, and from what I have heard of them they are great speakers, consider moving up their range to suit your room size. To get a full sound, big rooms need big speakers and powerful amps. You will need a new amp. I dont think you will get there with standmounts.