Marantz PM6005 is the talented successor of the award-winning PM6004, it is one of the best stereo amplifiers of its time and price range. With the upgraded components, PM6005 has improved sound quality and sonic performance over its predecessor, which the amp itself also gained a lot of recognition from critics and fans. For such an amazing integrated amplifier, you will require the best matching speakers so that both audio components could shine.
You can’t just blindly pick another pair of speakers and match them with Marantz PM6005, it needs to be compatible. We will first need to find out the sound characteristics and the strength of PM6005, once we know how they sound, then we will be able to pair matching speakers.
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Sound Characteristics and Specifications of Marantz PM6005
It has decent power output for an amplifier at this price point, with 45 Watts RMS (8 Ohms) and 60 Watts RMS (4 Ohms), it should have no problem driving bookshelf speakers. It is still possible to drive floorstanding speakers but may not be powerful enough to fully unleash the speakers’ potential. Marantz PM6005 has an impressive frequency response range, 10Hz – 70kHz, with this range, the bookshelf speaker choices have further increased. PM6005 doesn’t have a dedicated subwoofer, which means it may not be suitable for bass fanatics or for music that is bass-heavy.
More Details at Amazon – Marantz PM6005
For a budget amplifier, the specifications are actually above average but what about the sound quality? The Marantz PM6005 unleashes an impressive soundstage that is wide and deep, exceeding expectations. Inside this spacious sound-field, lies precision and accuracy where various instruments can be easily identified. It unveils plenty of details, more than its predecessor PM6004 but still sounds musical without a hint of being too clinical. The bass reproduction is rich and tight, the extension is deep as well, is a pity we couldn’t use a subwoofer.
Marantz PM6005 delivers a faithful presentation of the song, natural vocal, and smooth midrange, never sounding over-energetic or too colored. Quite lenient to bad recordings which is great for simply just enjoying your favorite music. The overall sound delivery is quite relaxing and neutral, it does have the agility to hook you in but still lacks a bit of enthusiasm. A little bit more energy and punch will make this amplifier sound more entertaining, still, it is already an enjoyable amplifier that we can listen to for a whole day.
The DAC that comes with the PM6005 is a cool upgrade, the high current CS4398 DAC may not be competitive enough in modern times but back in the day, it is a premium digital-to-analog converter. So with its support of up to 24-bit/192kHz sampling rates, Marantz PM6005 is still proficient enough to playback most high-resolution audio files with ease. PM6005 also caters to analog fans, with the Phono (MM) input, you can connect your turntable and play your favorite vinyl records.
Marantz PM6005 is a talented all-rounder integrated amplifier with loads of features such as a headphone output and remote control for added convenience. Now for such an incredible amplifier, we will most definitely require the best matching speakers, and since we already know the PM6005 sound characteristics, as well as the limitations, finding speakers to pair with this amplifier wouldn’t be an issue.
Marantz PM6005 Specifications
- Power Outputs: 45 Watts RMS into 8Ω and 60 Watts RMS into 4Ω
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 70kHz
- Inputs: 4 line inputs, 1 Phono (MM) input, 1 Optical input, 1 Coaxial input
- Outputs: Headphone Output, Record Output
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 440mm x 370mm x 105mm (17.3″ x 14.5″ x 4.13″)
- Weight: 7.6kg (16.75lbs)
Best Matching Speakers to pair with Marantz PM6005
Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 will be one of the best matching bookshelf speakers for Marantz PM6005 as it has an impressive scale and organized soundstage just like the amp. The speakers deliver plenty of details even when the volume is below moderate setting. The smooth and neutral sound reproduction is well suited to the Marantz PM6005 sound characteristics as well. Matching Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 to PM6005 is a superb choice, as the combination delivers impeccable stereo imaging and smooth sound quality, revealing details without being clinical about it.
More Details at Amazon – Wharfedale Diamond 10.2
Dali Zensor 3 is another amazing matching speaker for the Marantz PM6005, with almost similar characteristics such as a spacious soundstage and delivers plenty of musical details. But the Zensor 3 brings a bit more to the table, which the amp lacks as well. Dali Zensor 3 delivers more punch and energy to the music, making it more entertaining. The drawback of this, will be the sound delivery may not be as refined but the neutrality of the Marantz amp does tame it a little. Zensor 3 is definitely a worthy match and worth your time to consider them.
More Details at Amazon – DALI ZENSOR 3 Bookshelf Speakers
For another matching pair of speakers that could deliver energetic and punchy sound reproduction, will be the Bowers & Wilkins 685 S2. It has slightly more refinement than Dali Zensor 3. The scale of the music presentation is spacious and with authority, able to produce rich deep bass. The precision and agility really make you want to start dancing, B&W 685 S2 when matched with Marantz PM6005 is really an addictive combination. The only qualms that I have with this pair of bookshelf speakers will be the slight lack of musical details.
If you are looking for budget speakers then Q Acoustics 3020i will be an ideal choice. Don’t get me wrong, this pair of standmounters are award-winning speakers that can match well with Marantz PM6005, especially if you like warmer sound. Warmish sound reproduction is great for turntable and if you are a vinyl fan then most probably the Q Acoustics 3020i is for you. 3020i delivers a full-bodied and lush music presentation which may not be as faithful but sure sounds entertaining. Will suggest that you take some time to audition them first.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3020i (Arctic White)
KEF Q150 is another fantastic matching speaker choice and provides an added warmish sound to your overall sound system. Q150 is the smallest speaker of its series but don’t let that size fool you, they can deliver a soundstage that is spacious and deep. The rich and warm sound delivery is absolutely sweet-sounding, producing plenty of bass. If you always wanted to own a pair of KEF speakers, Q150 will be a good entry point. The price point of these speakers is quite similar to Marantz PM6005, definitely worth your time to audition them.
More Details at Amazon – KEF Q150 (Walnut)
Other reputable brands such as Monitor Audio are worth your consideration since quite a number of owners are satisfied with matching them to their Marantz amplifiers but could be too bright sounding. If you want to own a pair of floorstanding speakers instead, you may consider Klipsch as they are highly efficient and have high sensitivity, which Marantz PM6005 has enough power to drive them but won’t be at their full potential. Klipsch speakers are bright sounding as well, so best that you audition them first. If your budget is tight and wants the best sound quality for the buck, you should further check out Q Acoustic.
More Details at Amazon – Q Acoustics 3020 (Graphite)
To sum it up
If only there is a dedicated subwoofer output but then again, we shouldn’t ask for too much. After all, Marantz PM6005 is considered a budget integrated amplifier and it already has tons of features for the price. Furthermore, the sound quality and musicality are impressive when comparing PM6005 to other amps at the same price range. It can drive most bookshelf speakers with ease and the flexibility to switch between analog or digital playback. Now I know why Marantz PM6005 was so highly sought after when it first came out and how amazing they sound. If you are a proud owner of the Marantz PM6005, I wish you good luck and have a fun time hunting for the best matching speakers. Feel free to check out the recommended matching speakers listed here and you can also use them as references.
