Will my receiver handle two Polk Audio Monitor 70's?

13

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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    JR.com

    Use coupon code "JR2012" for $15 off.

    JR.com is also an authorized retailer for Harman Kardon.
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  • sprtdude91
    sprtdude91 Posts: 16
    edited January 2012
    fyi your Pioneer amp WILL let you bi-amp your speakers, not just bi-wire. You were correct in the beginning, there is an option in your set up. I have a Pioneer SC-35 and a pair of M60's and M70's, I bi-amp the 70's and there is a 100% noticeable difference (in a good way) in the performance of the speakers versus not bi-amping them. I think if you bi-amp the M70's, especially for "bumping" music, you will be very pleased. The M70's are for sure louder than my M60's, I've bi-amped them both and tested, just by my own ears, and it's pretty clear which is surperior. Either way you'll be happy i'm sure, but look into bi-amping them, it was really simple you hook the top positive and negative on the speaker to the front right or left on the back of the receiver and you hook the bottom positive and negative on the speaker to the surround back corresponding right and left, huge difference. Good luck!
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    sprtdude91 wrote: »
    fyi your Pioneer amp WILL let you bi-amp your speakers, not just bi-wire. You were correct in the beginning, there is an option in your set up. I have a Pioneer SC-35 and a pair of M60's and M70's, I bi-amp the 70's and there is a 100% noticeable difference (in a good way) in the performance of the speakers versus not bi-amping them. I think if you bi-amp the M70's, especially for "bumping" music, you will be very pleased. The M70's are for sure louder than my M60's, I've bi-amped them both and tested, just by my own ears, and it's pretty clear which is surperior. Either way you'll be happy i'm sure, but look into bi-amping them, it was really simple you hook the top positive and negative on the speaker to the front right or left on the back of the receiver and you hook the bottom positive and negative on the speaker to the surround back corresponding right and left, huge difference. Good luck!

    Thanks for the response, however, Pioneer support and Crutchfield have made it very clear my receiver (VSX-821-k) will not allow bi-amping.

    It doesn't have a surround back channel (being that it's a 5.1 AVR), which is typically the other channel used in bi-amping- as you stated.

    I have moved on to a Harman Kardon 3490.
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    How does the Harman Kardon 3490 do with an iPod/iPhone via RCA connection for music?

    I assume it's fine like my prior Pioneer....
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  • domflane
    domflane Posts: 653
    edited January 2012
    It'll do fine with an iPod via RCA connection, shouldn't be any different than your Pioneer. Are you using the RCA-3.5mm or the RCA-iPod connection? Keep in ming that a better source will sound much better than your iPod, even if your files are lossless. You can find a decent CD player pretty cheap.
    Home Theater
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,464
    edited January 2012
    Get your money back and take a look at going used for the speakers. There is a lot of bang for the buck out there on the used market. and for a hundred bucks more, you can get these direct from Polk. Plus, as an added bonus, if you act now, the shipping is FREE!

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-RTi8-CHERRY-Towers-Polk-Audio-GREAT-DEAL-/230635138999?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35b2ecefb7
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    domflane wrote: »
    It'll do fine with an iPod via RCA connection, shouldn't be any different than your Pioneer. Are you using the RCA-3.5mm or the RCA-iPod connection? Keep in ming that a better source will sound much better than your iPod, even if your files are lossless. You can find a decent CD player pretty cheap.

    I'll be using the RCA-3.5mm cable, unless it's inferior to the RCA-iPod connection....

    Is that the case?
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,011
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    I'll be using the RCA-3.5mm cable, unless it's inferior to the RCA-iPod connection....

    Is that the case?

    I think his point was the Ipod, not the cable. Chances are you have mp3's on it which sound like crapola. Anyway, we have many threads on getting the most out of your downloaded music, check them out.
    HT SYSTEM-
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Gotcha.

    All of my mp3's are cd quality, but when working out, I typically listen to Pandora Radio- which sounds pretty darn good.

    I will need to pick up a decent cd player, as my father has a massive collection of rock.

    Any recommendations on speaker wire? Are banana plugs beneficial?
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    Gotcha.

    All of my mp3's are cd quality, but when working out, I typically listen to Pandora Radio- which sounds pretty darn good.

    I will need to pick up a decent cd player, as my father has a massive collection of rock.

    Any recommendations on speaker wire? Are banana plugs beneficial?

    Banana plugs are VERY beneficial. I will never go back to bare wire. For your purposes I would suggest getting some good Blue Jeans Cable speaker wire (dont buy the pre-made, just the Canare 4S11 wire) and make your own. Another good company for some decent speaker wire is SignalCable. I would just go with their entry level cable (and dont get the bi-wire cables).

    Both those brands are very good quality for the price. Also if you go with Signal Cable make sure to mention your are a Club Polk member and I believe you get 10% off (might be more but I forget).
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,011
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    All of my mp3's are cd quality,

    Uh, no my friend, they are not. Start reading some threads on it bro. It may give you a new perspective.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Banana plugs are VERY beneficial. I will never go back to bare wire. For your purposes I would suggest getting some good Blue Jeans Cable speaker wire (dont buy the pre-made, just the Canare 4S11 wire) and make your own. Another good company for some decent speaker wire is SignalCable. I would just go with their entry level cable (and dont get the bi-wire cables).

    Both those brands are very good quality for the price. Also if you go with Signal Cable make sure to mention your are a Club Polk member and I believe you get 10% off (might be more but I forget).

    Thanks man!

    I'm gonna pick up that Canare wire and some banana plugs from Amazon.
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    Thanks man!

    I'm gonna pick up that Canare wire and some banana plugs from Amazon.

    Bunch of us use GLS Audio, Nakamichi or ones from Parts Express.

    I use the GLS Audio ones (which are expensive but look really good). I know others have used the parts express ones as well with good success. At one point I even used Monster quick connect ones.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Do you use the Black Chrome ones from GLS?

    Is there any science behind GLS's Wave Flex ones? Or is it bunk?
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    Do you use the Black Chrome ones from GLS?

    Is there any science behind GLS's Wave Flex ones? Or is it bunk?

    I used the Locking ones, but that was because I liked their looks over the Black Chrome, and the fact there were 2 screws for the speaker wire.

    The Wavy Flex ones may or may not be bunk (I personally dont know), but there is another high end audio company that uses those type connectors (Audioquest), so I would assume they are at least as good as the Black Chrome ones.

    To be honest to save yourself a couple bucks you could totally get by with the Safe Connect's as well. I like those a little better as you dont have to worry about shorts if they touch since the outside is rubber.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    I may go with these: http://www.amazon.com/Sewell-Silverback-Banana-Plugs-Pieces/dp/B005BT2KJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325608673&sr=8-2

    Decent price and good reviews.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    I may go with these: http://www.amazon.com/Sewell-Silverback-Banana-Plugs-Pieces/dp/B005BT2KJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1325608673&sr=8-2

    Decent price and good reviews.

    Those would work. They look simliar to some of the Nakamichi ones I have seen as well.

    If you really want a low price alternative to the wavy GLS ones, try these :smile: or these
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Those would work. They look simliar to some of the Nakamichi ones I have seen as well.

    If you really want a low price alternative to the wavy GLS ones, try these :smile: or these

    Meh...too cheap and hideous :).
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    Meh...too cheap and hideous :).

    LOL, well I figured they will be in a weight room..... where hideous and cheap may not matter as much :wink:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    LOL, well I figured they will be in a weight room..... where hideous and cheap may not matter as much :wink:

    Haha, it's a small enough setup that it can easily be moved around the house,i.e., pool room, bed room etc.

    Now that banana plugs are sorted out, back to speaker wire.

    Can you offer any cheaper alternatives to the Canare wire?
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    Haha, it's a small enough setup that it can easily be moved around the house,i.e., pool room, bed room etc.

    Now that banana plugs are sorted out, back to speaker wire.

    Can you offer any cheaper alternatives to the Canare wire?

    Not really, my ONLY suggestion would be if you have a local hi-fi store to see if they have anything similar on a roll for cheaper. I got 3 11 foot runs of some good Audioquest FLX 14/4 (14 guage 4 connector) wire for like 33 bucks with tax.

    You could always go with the super cheap Monoprice speaker wire (which I initially did) but I found I would rather spend a little bit more and get some decent wire than get the cheapest stuff possible. Your investing like 500+ in your 3490 + speakers, I normally can justify spending about 10% of that cost on good wire/connectors. But thats me. If you really want the cheapest stuff, look at Monoprice wire. I would suggest looking at 14 guage or lower.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Sounds good, thanks for all the help Shadow.

    I'll be sure to do a little review on my stereo setup in the future.
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Alright, I just ordered the banana plugs and some 12AWG wire from Monoprice.

    I didn't see a need for the Canare wire with my basic setup; there are no other electronics around the receiver and speakers.
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Good news!

    I just sold my iPod touch for $150. I told myself from the beginning all the profits would go towards something fun. So being that I have the audio bug, I want to put the money towards new speakers.

    This now leaves me with $300 to spend on speakers

    Keeping in mind they will be driven by a Harman Kardon 3490, and will be for music only, what speakers would you recommend I look at?


    PS- Talk about a derailed thread :).
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    Couple options for you direct from Polk:

    Monitor 70's :smile:http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-Monitor-70-CHERRY-Towers-Polk-Audio-/390296329210?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5adf795bfa

    RTi A5's: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ONE-RTi-A5-RTiA5-CHERRY-Tower-Loudspeaker-Polk-Audio-/390379090118?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae46830c6


    I forget where you are located in the US, but I would look at CL for some older Polk Monitors (10's, 12's) OR SDA's if you can find them (SDA 1C's, SDA CRS) but thats juts me.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Couple options for you direct from Polk:

    Monitor 70's :smile:http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-Monitor-70-CHERRY-Towers-Polk-Audio-/390296329210?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5adf795bfa

    RTi A5's: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ONE-RTi-A5-RTiA5-CHERRY-Tower-Loudspeaker-Polk-Audio-/390379090118?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae46830c6


    I forget where you are located in the US, but I would look at CL for some older Polk Monitors (10's, 12's) OR SDA's if you can find them (SDA 1C's, SDA CRS) but thats juts me.

    I keep hearing the monitor series is a step down from the RTi line, so I don't want to go that route.

    I also don't want to buy one RTi A5 lol.
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    I keep hearing the monitor series is a step down from the RTi line, so I don't want to go that route.

    I also don't want to buy one RTi A5 lol.

    OOPS.... I didnt see that it was just one lol..............
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Energy RC-10's look pretty nice.

    I could also go with the RTi A3, but I figure they are pretty much the same as my RTi 4's....
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited January 2012
    shermanator wrote: »
    Energy RC-10's look pretty nice.

    I could also go with the RTi A3, but I figure they are pretty much the same as my RTi 4's....

    Post a wanted ad in the forum listing what your kinda looking for and where you are located. You might be surprised by what you can find.

    Given your setup and room size I would look for something in the Monitor 10 range
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • shermanator
    shermanator Posts: 59
    edited January 2012
    Anyone familiar with these: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html
    http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Shermanatorx/
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