Will a Pioneer VSX-821-K Handle one set of Monitor 60's or 70's ok? here is my setup.

Skeeterdamus

:question:this is my first Home audio system, just started buying stuff last month! Done lots and lots of research, now im on my final piece the new Fronts so I can move my old Fronts to the surrounds!

*Pioneer VSX-821-K (link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117397)

*Monitor40 Bookshelfs (Using them as fronts now, Untill I get New fronts, then these will be Surrounds)

*Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker.

*Polk Audio PSW Series PSW505 12" Powered Subwoofer. (Already had the sub
so bass isn't an issue in any means)



Here is the stats of the amp, I know it says 80W at 8 ohm, but i never understood the hz/khz factor since one 8 Ohm says 110 Watts.


Power Output Per Channel (20Hz-20kHz,.08%THD@8ohm): 80W

Power Output Per Channel (1kHz@8ohm): 110W

Power Output Per Channel (1kHz@6ohm): 125W




So really, my main questin is what Tower if any would be better off for this amp? At first I had my eyes on the Monitor 60's just cause the 70's look overkill for my room. But then again, on sale 2 70's only cost $50 more each.


Also was gonna get these and use them as "Heights"

*Polk Audio Monitor30 Series II Two-Way Bookshelf Loudspeaker

txcoastal1

You will be fine go for the 70's...better for running music in 2 channel

chumlie

I think you'll want more power if your pushing all 5 speakers.

unclebiskabobka

It will power the 60's adequately, but I think it might have some trouble with the 70's if you're in the habit of cranking your system.

ravaneli

i have the 521 which has the same power supply and amplification.

With either one you will need to keep the volume down if you want quality sound. They sound flat and a little harsh when the volume is above moderate. That receiver is really designed for satelites primarily..

Skeeterdamus

kind of sounds like mixed reviews. Would I be better off just getting another set of monitor 40's for the rears? (they sound excellent as fronts)

Skeeterdamus

I mean, i dont care what I have to get, but yeah, My max spent so far was $429 for the reciever, fronts, and center, the sub was $200 aswell. The max I want to spend is under $1200, so there isnt many options on the Polk line for fronts that will be under $400 for 2 speakers I imagine.


And yes, I wont be Craking it up so loud ill get noise complaints, I have 4 other people living in this house. I just want good sound. I mean, yeah ill turn it up some, but not gonna blow my roof off, or annoy the people upstairs. Im just a typical human wanting better sound than a lame flatscreen TV offers.

I figured, spending as much as my TV did in sound was well worth it, since well half a movie is sound. I dont need the best of the best, nor do I expect to achieve it.

I just want the best POLK speakers than my reciever can make sing. Even If I have to get monitor 50's, or even another set of monitor 40 bookshelfs. I personally dont care :O

ravaneli

If you plan on keeping that receiver I would get another pair of Monitor 40s. They will be better powered by that 821. Yes, the towers sound fuller in the lower range but you really need more power than what you have to take advantage of the marginal benefits. Your receiver has 40, may be 50 watts per channel before it starts to distort. It just won't juice those hungry M70 properly. You have subwoofer for the lower range anyway. Get the M40s and you can power them with a load that your receiver can tolerate.

Skeeterdamus

how is it only 50 watts before it distorts? even the $400 recievers have the same raw max output as this one did on newegg from what I seen.... or in other words, Should I just get an amp and hook it up to the pre out, for the front speakers?


Even the $1000 amps have under 150 watts at 8 ohm... the speakers ask for 200


so your sayin even the $1000 watt recievers with only 140 watts at 8 ohm are only gonna push 80 watts without distortion? (thats half of the ammount, like you stated for mine)


so what would I need, a $5,000 amp to run a pair of $200 speakers?

chumlie

Power ratings not to be trusted. Power drops on every speaker you add. Better amps on higher end recievers.

Skeeterdamus

right on

Skeeterdamus

I mean, right now it sounds wicked with just the CS2, Monitor 40's and a 12 inch polk sub.

so now im stuck on either monitor 40, 50, or 60's.

Im not gonna turn the house into a rock and roll concert, I live with 4 others above me. I always listen to the reciever at around 45-55 volume it maxes out at 80.


Out of those 3 what would you all recommend? The 40's and 50's seem to be on the same power
level!

chumlie

Get the 60's or 70's and loose the rear 40's till you get a better reciever.

Skeeterdamus

laugh, no way I just bought those in a bundle for $429. I said my max to spend is $1200.


Got that reciver, montor 40's, a CS2, and a Polk 12" sub so far. for around $600 total.


got $600 left.


I take your words seriously, but im not rich. my TV was only $800 for a 50" plasma.

Skeeterdamus

So in your opinion, should I keep the monitor 40s and the cs2 as the front

and just buy some monitor 30's for the surrounds? or another set of monitor 40's?


And of course, I have a good sub.

Skeeterdamus

I'll be happy either way, So far it's a total badass system for the price I paid. I just want to get it to a 5.1 like it's supposed to be, right now it's a 3.1.


I value your feedback for sure, I just take it with a grain of salt untill I get more input I hope you understand!

chumlie

I understand perfectly. Just my opinion, but that reciever will not power the big boys up front ( sad but true ). Take a look at the owm's for your rears.

ravaneli

Sktrd, i have a few songs that i've heard a thousand times in the last 6 months. I use them to detect distortion.

My receiver has the same amplification as the 821. The max stated output by the vendor is 80W. However the receiver starts to distort the signal far before you go to max volume, so I roughly threw the 40-50 W number. When you push the volume high you lose dynamics, the sound flattens and the highs sound harsher. A 400 dollar used amp may have 2 x 200 W, but thats output with very low distortion so you can actually use it.

Buy what you want, but between 50W per channel run M40s and 50W per channel run M60s or 70s I am not sure you will hear enough benefits for the extra money you are gona spend on the towers.

I bought my Klipsch WS14 bookshelves first and ran them with a sub. Then I bought the full size towers WF35. The sound was absolutely identical in the mids and highs. The towers do go lower, but that's not important if you have a good sub. I expect the relationship between the monitor bookies and towers to be very similar. Buy the M40s and live in peace for a couple of years, and one sunny day get a new receiver and front towers.

Skeeterdamus

And also, If I did just say go ahead and just buy another set of monitor 40's for the front, and use my other monitor 40's as the rear, and a CS2 as the center.

Would I still be able to set Heights via the A+B speaker setting to some Monitor30's? (Yes this reciever supports either Emulated Height, or Back surround)


If not, I can at least set a pair of outdoor speakers on the back patio right? and they will still get full power? since the other speakers wounldnt be on? So I could have a nice set of speakers on the back patio?

tonyb

Skeeterdamus wrote: »

I'll be happy either way, So far it's a total badass system for the price I paid. I just want to get it to a 5.1 like it's supposed to be, right now it's a 3.1.


I value your feedback for sure, I just take it with a grain of salt untill I get more input I hope you understand!

Throw another set of M30's in the back to make 5.1 and be done with it until you can upgrade the receiver down the road. Just keep in mind for the future, your choice in receivers will dictate what speakers you can buy.

Skeeterdamus

2 said yeah 70's
1 said yeah 60's
1 said monitor 30's
1 said monitor 40's

Still no one said if the monitor 50's would be a Great front speaker to get (they have the same speakers as the 40's just in a tower how does that sound?)

When and IF I ever do get a new reciever I personally would probibly get a 7.1 and it would be kind of nice to have 4 monitor 40's I can alrady throw in as all the surrounds and rears ya know? (so they all match)

I really appriciate you putting me in my place and giving advice. I did lots of thinking in my sleep :O

Skeeterdamus

So what do you kind sirs recommend out of my new choices. M40's, M30's, or M50's?

All have around the same power peak, and seem like good choices from what you all said.


-thanks for your help, and thanks for opening up my eyes on reciever power output aswell! You guys saved me from spending $400 on a set of monitor 60's that I wouldnt even be able to push right.


Got 2 weeks before I order the last installment, so that leaves plenty of time to bug you experts :O ha.

chumlie

Get the 40's and start saveing for a better reciever. Welcome to CP and the rabbit hole.

Skeeterdamus

Yeah sadly I wont get a new reciever for at least a few years, I just got this one last week on sale for $140 couldnt pass it up got the monitor40, cs2 and that reciever for a little over $426.

I still will be able to use channel B as outdoor speakers correct? I'd love the idea of having speakers on the back patio by the Grill and the gazeebo.

They should get full power if Only speakers B are turned on right?

chumlie

Correct.

Skeeterdamus

are you a wiz in bananna plugs?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

has closed, open, and one called Pin type.


I had my eyes on the closed screw type, do all the plugs fit into polk speakers? and recievers?


your my number 1 man for questions laughs.

chumlie

I would go bare wire before those plugs. Just my opinion.

Skeeterdamus

they really look that bad? I know their cables are top notch, but yeah I dont know crud about plugs but I may give it a shot redid my whole house cables from their everything works wounders




Didnt say if they would work on polk speakers though that was what I asked, From the looks of it the closed screw type should.



Anyways, probibly last time I come here to post. As Im out of need too!

so thanks to you all.

John K.

Skeeter, some of the replies indicate a misunderstanding about the power requirements of the Monitor series. They are all slightly above average in sensitivity, and as is often the case with speakers, the "big boys"(e.g., 60 and 70)are a bit more efficient than the smaller ones(e.g., 40)and require slightly less power. Specifically here, the 40 shows an output of 89dB(quite loud)for 1 watt of input, while both the 60 and 70 are spec'd at 90dB for 1 watt. Unless Polk is lying(and that's certainly not the case), you can use either the 60s or 70s with confidence that your 821 will do at least as well with them as it now does with your 40s.

So, the answer to the question in your thread title is yes, and this isn't a mere personal opinion, but simply applying the facts about the sensitivities of the Monitor speakers.

Skeeterdamus

Now im more lost on the power specs cause that is totally opposite of what everyone else said :O

Glad I have a few weeks to get this figured out!




Everyone said the amp wouldnt have enough "Power" since it loses power on channels powering a 5.1 system, which I was shocked to hear since the amp says 80 watts all channels.

Geoff4rfc

You can always run the 60's or 70's on that much power. They will sound pretty good, they just won't sound their best. And, running those speakers on that little of power supply, you don't want to be pushing them toward max power to avoid clipping.

Pretty much any banna plug will fit Polk speakers, a direct connection of bare wire through the thread lock is always best.