Will my HK AVR 347 be enough?

GMJim
GMJim Posts: 18
edited July 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hello All
I'm glad I found the Polk forum. I'm a real rookie at this and still learning. I've been doing some reading and from what I understand these speakers need more power to sound good than my HK AVR347 can deliver. I'm thinking of upgrading to the HK AVR3600. I was thinking of getting an amp to compliment the 347 but it would cost more than upgrading. I've got a lot to learn. I wanted good speakers when I bought these and the guy at Fry's in San Marcos seemed to be leading me in the right direction but now I wonder if I've bought too much speaker? My room is 25 X 12. Any thoughts?
Jim

Here is a list of my gear.
Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma TV
H/K AVR-347
Polk speakers
Fronts RTi12
Center CSiA6
Surround rear FXi5
Sub DSW PRO500 10"
Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim
Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma
Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350
H/K AVR-347
Polk speakers
Fronts RTi12
Center CSiA6
Surround rear FXi5
Sub DSW PRO500 10"
Post edited by GMJim on
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Comments

  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited July 2010
    The speakers are great.Save up for a good 5 channel amp. Forget upgrading your AVR.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2010
    WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!

    There is not much of a difference between those two HK amp sections in terms of real power...either way you NEED a power amp for the Rti-12's & Csi-6--at least!

    Save your money and get an amp!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • GMJim
    GMJim Posts: 18
    edited July 2010
    Thanks for the replies!!! I like HK. What would you recommend?
    Jim
    Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma
    Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350
    H/K AVR-347
    Polk speakers
    Fronts RTi12
    Center CSiA6
    Surround rear FXi5
    Sub DSW PRO500 10"
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,216
    edited July 2010
    I'd also spend the money on an amp instead of upgrading the AVR.

    What's your budget?

    San Marcos, Texas I assume. If so, check the Austin craigslist. Seems like there are always good deals on electronics. Also, audiogon.com

    Parasound, Rotel, Outlaw, Emotiva, Sunfire to name a few amp brands. I have an Emotiva and I'm happy with it, but some people have said the RTi/Emotiva combo is pretty bright.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • GMJim
    GMJim Posts: 18
    edited July 2010
    No San Marcos California but I've recently been transferred to Toronto Canada. I have to upgrade my AVR because of the TV and Blu ray player. It has 3D! I need HDMI 1.4a. The 347 is not upgradable to 1.4a and the AVR3600 is the lowest model with pre outs. Looks like I'll need an AVR and an amp?
    Jim
    Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma
    Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350
    H/K AVR-347
    Polk speakers
    Fronts RTi12
    Center CSiA6
    Surround rear FXi5
    Sub DSW PRO500 10"
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  • quadzilla
    quadzilla Posts: 1,543
    edited July 2010
    Yes, you'll still want a power amp to get the most out of those speakers. My RTi12s didn't start to open up until I gave them 300 wpc. I'm running 850 wpc into them now, and they sound great.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: dsachs consulting
    Digital: Marantz SACD 30n
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Premier 350
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,216
    edited July 2010
    GMJim wrote: »
    No San Marcos California but I've recently been transferred to Toronto Canada. I have to upgrade my AVR because of the TV and Blu ray player. It has 3D! I need HDMI 1.4a. The 347 is not upgradable to 1.4a and the AVR3600 is the lowest model with pre outs. Looks like I'll need an AVR and an amp?
    Jim

    You could run the sound separate from the video. Connect the BR to the TV via HDMI and connect the BR to the AVR via optical cable. Not as convenient, but this is what I do and it's not a big deal to me.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited July 2010
    Welcome to the forum.

    I am not a fan of AVR's. There are few out there that meet my power needs. I would recomend you buy a used multi channel amp to and use the HK as a preamp only.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • GMJim
    GMJim Posts: 18
    edited July 2010
    Thanks for all the suggestions and sorry to reply so late. I was away for a few days. I'm a little new to all of this and would appreciate some suggestions on an amp. HK doesn't seem to have one?
    I realize power isn't volume but I'm a little confused how an amp will help?
    Jim
    Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma
    Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350
    H/K AVR-347
    Polk speakers
    Fronts RTi12
    Center CSiA6
    Surround rear FXi5
    Sub DSW PRO500 10"
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  • GMJim
    GMJim Posts: 18
    edited July 2010
    Could anybody recommend an amp make model and output for these speakers. I know nothing about amps and am having a little trouble finding some information I can understand. Price is a factor but I'd rather spend a little more and do it once.
    Any suggestions would be appreciated!
    Thanks
    Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma
    Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350
    H/K AVR-347
    Polk speakers
    Fronts RTi12
    Center CSiA6
    Surround rear FXi5
    Sub DSW PRO500 10"
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited July 2010
    Your best bet is to buy used...go to www.audiogon.com Use their SEARCH engine....select some of the brands PSOVLSK mentions above.....type that in, select AMP...Multi-channel (SS) and see what's available. The rule of thumb is you'd want a 5-7 channel amp that can do at least 200 watts into 8 ohms and 300 or more into 4 ohms.

    And the rest is deciding which one and what's your best price and best seller?

    Good Luck.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited July 2010
    To answer your original question, yes, the 347 is "enough." By spec, it will power all 5 of your speakers adequately. If you're looking for "more," then the above posts leading you toward an amp are the way to go.

    Btw, I have found the HK/RTi pairing to be very pleasing - musical even - and it was the fourth AVR I tried in my system.
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  • GMJim
    GMJim Posts: 18
    edited July 2010
    Thank you cnh and mdaudioguy
    I'll start looking and learn as I go!
    Panasonic TC-P65VT25 Plasma
    Panasonic Blu-Ray DMP-BDT350
    H/K AVR-347
    Polk speakers
    Fronts RTi12
    Center CSiA6
    Surround rear FXi5
    Sub DSW PRO500 10"
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  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited July 2010
    You can always buy a 2 or 3 channel amp to power the fronts (and center), and use the receiver for the rest.

    Someone is selling some adcom amps in the FS section for around 250 that should work just fine.

    The HK AVR3600 is about 600 dollars, you can probably find amplification for all your channels for that price.
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