The Denon PMA-600NE is one of the very best budget integrated amplifiers, it comes with so many features, and at this price range, it sounds really good too. Setting up a good-sounding stereo system has become an affordable dream, all thanks to PMA-600NE. Now the question is which speakers are the best matches to partner with the talented Denon PMA-600NE.
If you are in the market currently looking for a nice pair of speakers to pair with your Denon PMA-600NE then look no further. We are going to share with you a list of the matching speakers later on, but first, we need to find out more about this wonderful integrated amp. By learning more about the sonic characteristics of PMA-600NE, we can use this information to source the right speakers.
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Sonic Characteristics and Important Specifications of Denon PMA-600NE
For a budget integrated amplifier, the Denon PMA-600NE sure doesn’t look like one. It is stylish and sleek, looks well-built too, easily fits right into most home interiors. Furthermore, pairing them with speakers based on aesthetics alone will be quite an easy feat. We also like how the large volume knob is positioned right in the middle of the amplifier front panel. It has decent power output, rated at 45/70 Watts per channel into 8/4 Ohms. The frequency response is good too, 20Hz-20kHz, and with these specs, it seems like bookshelf speakers are the ideal choices. There is a dedicated subwoofer output, giving you the option to connect to an active sub and with this, we wouldn’t need to worry about the overall bass performance.
The Denon PMA-600NE comes with a plethora of features where they could accommodate most modern users. The built-in DAC (192kHz/24-bit) and Bluetooth connectivity will come in handy when playing music from a digital source via your PC/Mac and mobile devices. The moving magnet phono equalizer of the PMA-600NE is well-designed, providing better sound quality than some other amps at a similar price range when playing back vinyl sources. The Analog mode when activated further improves the audio quality, giving higher clarity and more detailed sound reproduction of your analog sources. You can also use the Bass, Treble, and Balance tone controls to adjust the sound to your liking. There is a wide range of connections to choose from and the remote control is pretty neat too.
More Details at Amazon – Denon PMA-600NE
It is quite incredible that Denon can pack in so many features and power into PMA-600NE at this price point, but even so, the sound quality will be the major factor. This integrated amp has a better sound resolution than we expected and digs out plenty of details. The high-resolution sound quality is accompanied by accuracy where the stereo imaging is projecting the musicians onto the stage but a little bit more expansive and space would be nice though. The soundstage probably would be wider and deeper when connecting to an active subwoofer, since our speaker choice is limited to bookshelf speakers.
The bass performance of the Denon PMA-600NE is full-bodied and controlled, with a bit more emphasis on the mid-bass reproduction. It can still reach deep into the bass extension but can be boosted more prominently based on the sonic characteristic of the active subwoofer. The midrange reproduction is warm and smooth, where vocals sounded natural and instruments are accurately rendered. The highs never sound cringe even when played at high volumes, it is pleasing to the ears but may lose a bit of clarity in the subtle details during a music passage when the mids are busy.
The overall sound reproduction is easy on the ears and the Denon PMA-600NE is a well-balanced integrated amp with neutral sonic characteristics with a slight warmth to it. It is recommended to connect an active subwoofer to ease the load off as the amp’s power outputs are high enough. When combining the sound quality and the available features, the Denon PMA-600NE price and value ratio is really impressive. We have the data we need to find the right matching speakers. And we will now start listing out the best speakers that you can go for to pair with the Denon PMA-600NE integrated amplifier.
Denon PMA-600NE Specifications
- Power Outputs: 45 Watts into 8 Ohms per channel, 70 Watts into 4 Ohms per channel
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.07%
- Inputs: 2 line inputs, 1 Phono (MM) input, 2 Optical inputs, 1 Coaxial input, 1 Recorder (Playback)
- Outputs: Preout Subwoofer output, 1 Recorder output
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 434mm x 307mm x 121mm (17.1″ x 12.1″ x 4.76″)
- Weight: 6.8kg (15lbs)
Best Speakers to pair with Denon PMA-600NE
The Wharfedale Diamond 225 is one of the best speakers to pair with your Denon PMA-600NE integrated amplifier. The speakers’ warm personality is a suitable match with the PMA-600NE, the Diamond 225 delivers a lush and laid-back music presentation. The smoothness of the music delivery has plenty of details as well, the pacing of the Wharfedale Diamond 225 does lead to some dramatic crescendos. Partly due to their strong bass performance which is quite unexpected from a bookshelf speaker and they are not really big either. They will also be exceptional loudspeakers for vinyl playbacks. The price point of the Diamond 225 is well within the Denon PMA-600NE price range too.
More Information at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 225 Bookshelf Speaker
If you really like to own a pair of floor-standing speakers and pair them with your Denon PMA-600NE amplifier. Then you will need highly efficient floor-standing speakers with high sensitivity but this option could cost way more than the amp itself. Fortunately, there is an affordable option, and that will be the Klipsch RP-280F with a speaker sensitivity of 98dB. It is a pair of floor-standing speakers that has an astonishing level of clarity which complements the PMA-600NE, revealing more subtle details with clearer audibility. The RP-280F can sound quite harsh at high volumes so it is recommended to have a listen first before deciding.
More Information at Amazon – Klipsch RP-280F Floorstanding Speaker
The Q Acoustics 3020i is another best matching speaker to go with the Denon PMA-600NE as firstly the amplifier has just the right amount of power to drive them. Secondly, the 3020i is well within the price range of the PMA-600NE, and most importantly, they possess exceptional sonic performance. The overall music presentation is rich and filled with details, the warm-sounding nature of the speaker is well-match with the sonic personality of Denon PMA-600NE. The Q Acoustics 3020i speakers are pretty confident in delivering the music, providing us with engaging dynamics and scale. They are really remarkable speakers for the price.
More Information at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3020i
For listeners who have a tight budget, the Polk Audio Signature Series S15 compact bookshelf speaker will be an ideal choice. The S15 speakers are very highly rated, largely due to the high sound quality you will get at such an affordable price. The Denon PMA-600NE will be able to drive these small bookshelf speakers and we will recommend adding an active subwoofer into the mix to improve the overall bass performance. The Polk Audio S15 will also be ideal desktop speakers for your PC, laptop, or Mac. The highs are crisp and with clarity, the overall music presentation is refined as well. Well worth the price point these budget speakers are asking for.
More Details at Amazon – Polk Signature Series S15 Bookshelf Speakers
The Mission QX-2 is a bookshelf speaker with excellent sound quality and plenty of insights, a suitable match with the Denon PMA-600NE integrated amp. They are energetic and love to please their listeners with rhythmic dynamics. The pacing and agility of the Mission QX-2 are impeccable as well, the bass performance is equally as impressive with plenty of weight. It punches hard for a bookshelf speaker. These are lively speakers and the QX-2 is ideal for most music genres due to their enthusiastic performance. They may sound quite bright and we recommend hearing them out first, especially if you are used to warm-sounding audio systems.
More Details at Amazon – Mission QX-2 Bookshelf Speakers
As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to get a powered subwoofer into the mix. We will suggest going with Rythmik Audio subwoofers, as they are made by subwoofer specialists who focus on designing and building high-performance powered subs. The Rythmik Audio subs are also well-recognized by audiophiles all over the world due to their solid bass performance and powerful deep bass reproduction. They are sanely priced which makes them even more attractive. You might want to check out their L12, it is Rythmik’s entry-level sealed subwoofer. SVS subwoofers are highly recommended as well, and their ported cabinets are performance powerhouses. Check out SVS PB-1000, it is an entry-level ported cabinet sub well within the Denon PMA-600NE price range.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
The Denon PMA-600NE is a terrific budget amplifier, all it needs are matching speakers to make it shine. The listed speakers here are some of the best that you can go for. You should take some time and effort to audition them out, see if you like what you hear. You can also use this as a reference and search for matching speakers on your own. You should include the subwoofers that you are getting or already owned during the speakers’ auditions if is possible that is, as you can get a more accurate result.
