Question about powering speakers.

JustinHEMI

Friends,

My name is Justin and I am new to the forums, and was hoping you wouldn't mind answering a question or two for me.

About two years ago, I bought a couple of Polk Tsi 400s, PSW10 and a CS10 to start out on my first home theater, and was running them with my Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver. They have worked perfectly fine which is why I am going with Polk again.

I am now ready to upgrade and thanks to lurking and reading these forums, I have decided on the RTi A7s, Csi A6, and PSW 505, as that combination seems to give me great bang for my buck and would suit my space well.

I was wondering if my receiver is enough or do I need an amplifier?

I am new to anything beyond hooking up a couple of speaker wires to my receiver, so I am not sure how amplification even works. For example, if my receiver does 100 watts/channel, and the amp does 100 watts/channel, is that additive?

Also, if you think I should add in an amp, would you mind tossing some suggestions my way? My budget for this has been mostly blown for the speakers, but have about 500 left that I could use for an amp.

Lastly, has anyone had a positive experience with the F/X wireless rear surround bar? My space isn't really conducive to book shelf type of speakers, and the F/X looks like it would be a great solution, but I have read about many problems with it here on the forums.

Thank you for your time and input!

Justin

PS Speaking of surrounds, could my Tsi 400s serve that purpose?

themainviking

I don't think you would have any problems at all with your intended setup. I also think that your Onkyo will stand up just fine, just as it is, unless you want to take out your ears. It has lots of power for what you have described as your new setup. And the TSi400s will work just fine as surrounds, as you are using a powered subwoofer in the PSW505. This subwoofer is excellent and you should be very happy with the sound you get. Just set the 400s as small, and the A7s as large (sub off) and wire the sub into to A7 leads, and you will be good to go.

tonyb

You should be ok with what you have. Adding an amp can and will improve the sound though,your call.
An amp replaces whats in a receiver,so no,you don't add them together. Can't comment on the wireless FX but we do have a thread on it somewhere I believe.

mdaudioguy

themainviking wrote: »

I don't think you would have any problems at all with your intended setup. I also think that your Onkyo will stand up just fine, just as it is, unless you want to take out your ears.

Your AVR "can" do it, and you may be very satisfied. An amp, however, does more than just give you the ability to play it louder. Conversely, it could actually save your ears, allowing more detail, clarity, and dynamics at lower volume. I usually recommend FXi speakers for surrounds. I don't know anything about the wireless products, but reading up on them before buying is a good idea. You're on your way to a nice HT - enjoy!

Welcome to Club Polk!

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk! I would suggest getting a 3-5 channel amplifier of at least 200wpc@8ohm and run it with your current speakers. I think you will be amazed at the improvement you hear in them. You might just decide to add some surrounds and call it a day as far as upgrading goes. Either way, having the amp in place will benefit your system whether with your current speakers or new ones.

Suggestions for amps would be Parasound, Rotel, B & K, Sunfire, Emotiva, Outlaw audio.

The first 4 you can get at good prices on www.audiogon.com. Emotiva & Outlaw are good bang for the buck gear that can be bought new at their websites.

JustinHEMI

Thank you all so much for the helpful replies!

Out of curiosity, I looked at the Emotiva site and found that the XTA-3 would be a good fit for my needs, but at 700 and sold out for a while, a little out of my reach right now. So, I searched allofcraigs and happened to find one used locally for 475! 1.5 years old, looks and works perfect, so I snagged it and will be integrating it into my system.

Thanks again!

Justin

cfrizz

Congrats, please come back and let us know how you like it.

JustinHEMI

Will do for sure! Now I just have to wait for it all to come in.

jbooker82

JustinHEMI wrote: »

I am now ready to upgrade and thanks to lurking and reading these forums, I have decided on the RTi A7s, Csi A6, and PSW 505, as that combination seems to give me great bang for my buck and would suit my space well.

Right now crutchfield has the RTI A7's on sale for 499 each. When you buy 499 or more in Polk speakers you get a free psw111 subwoofer or a $299 credit twards a better Polk Sub. I belive the free sub/credit offer ends at the end of the month.

So you could get a Polk DSW Pro 660wi for $299 it is a 12" 500watt rms 1000 watt max down firing subwoofer. It would be a lot better than paying $229 for the psw505 from new egg.

I got the 550wi and am happy with it.

jbooker82

Polk Towers
http://www.crutchfield.com/g_12000/Floor-standing-Speakers.html?tp=185&nvpair=FFBrand%7cPolk+Audio

Polk Subwoofers
http://www.crutchfield.com/g_12300/Powered-Subwoofers.html?tp=187&nvpair=FFBrand%7cPolk+Audio

It would be about $1300 bucks for the two towers and subwoofer.

Polk aslo has some referbished black RTI A7's in their ebay store. They are $660 + $80 shipping = $740 total. Then + what ever sub you end up getting.
http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct/Towers-Floorstanding-/_i.html?_fsub=160111119&_sid=686154689&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

JustinHEMI

Thank you for the tips!

I did take advantage of the free sub.

I was hoping to find cherry A7's on their ebay store, but they didn't have them at the time, so I just bought new at one of the sales.

Justin

jbooker82

Sweet. I didn know if you already got the speakers or not.

stillen

Congrats hope it sounds great.

evilgenius68

Ive had an Onkyo 484 up until a few weeks ago.. I loved the richness and detail.but it was lacking when i wanted to just enjoy the 2 channel config.. I added a Yamaha m-85 to power the fronts and i use that to power not only my Sda fronts but i also use it with my 1c's..when in 5 channel its still clean and great for movies..but i can also just Open it up in 2 ch..when i feel the need, without worry..

JustinHEMI

Hello again friends.

Picked up the XTA-3 today! I was just wondering if it is ok to plug this thing into a surge protector, even if it has surge protection built in? The power cord doesn't quite reach a wall socket, so I need something longer, if it is permissible, which would be dedicated to the amp.

I am looking forward to everything getting in and set up with my new system, and will post a review when its done.

Thanks again for your time!

Justin

cfrizz

Yes plug it in you will be fine. You may also end up getting a hum through your speakers, it is usually ground loop issue. For a quick & cheap fix get a 3 prong to 2 prong plug & that should solve the problem if it arises.

And make sure you have 3 additional ICs to connect the amp to your receiver.

JustinHEMI

Thank you very much for the information!

Justin