200w for LSi9 - 8 ohm or 4 ohm?

bthogan

Quick and stupid question!

Everyone says that the LSi9 speakers really shine with 200+ watts per channel. The thing is, they're 4 ohm speakers. So I was wondering: is the recommended wattage per channel for these speakers 200+ watts @ 4 ohms, or 200+ watts @ 8 ohms?

e.g. is the Parasound A21, with 250w/8 ohms and 400w/4 ohms, the sort of amp that people have in mind when they make this recommendation, or would a Parasound A23, with 125w/8 ohms and 225w/4 ohms, fulfill the recommended power ratings?

Thanks for help.

nwohlford

It would depend somewhat on the size of the room and whether you are using them full range, but a Parasound A23 will be a great choice in all but the largest rooms.

I have used mine with number of amps ranging from a 50 Watt class D amp up to an Adcom GFA-5800 which has similar power ratings to the A21. As long as you have a high-current amp and the amp puts out adequate power for your room size, you will be fine. I have used a Proceed Amp-2 which has similar power ratings to the A23, and I did not feel like I got any where close to its limits in a medium sized room. They are fairly inefficeint speakers, but I think for small to medium size rooms, a 100 Watt/8 ohm amps with at least a 50% increase in 4 ohm power rating is enough. (Right now I have them hooked up to an Adcom GFA-5400 which barely meets the above criteria, and it works perfectly for me.)

I have almost always used them crossed over at about 80 Hz which does make them a little easier to drive.

codyc1ark

Just make sure its a 4ohm stable amp. Either of those amps that you mentioned will be just fine for the 9's. Although, if I had my pick, it would be the A21, that way you'll have enough power for most anything.

bthogan

Thanks for replies! I'm wondering about this, because I'm looking to pick up a stand-in amp while my McCormack DNA-1 is in the shop (it may be a while). As far as the McCormack goes, fuggedaboudit - the two (three?) were made for each other. The synergy between that amp (185/8ohms, 370w/4 ohms) and the LSi9s is unexpectedly astounding. I went to the DNA-1 from an Adcom GFA-545, and it's like I have a new pair of speakers.

I don't want to spend too much money on a back-up amp (that will be used for at least a few months), so I'm not really thinking about the A21. The A23, if the wattage is right, looks like it would do nicely, for the prices that I've seen. I would also consider an Adcom GFA-555...I'm actually kind of curious to see if the extra wattage provides a noticeable difference in sound with these LSi9s, compared to the less-powerful GFA-545.

zingo

The speakers are rated at 4 ohms, so any amp connected to them will be putting out the power rated at 4 ohms. If you are looking for 200wpc to feed your speakers, look for 200wpc at the rated nominal impedance of your speakers, and make sure (as stated above) that the amp is rated a 4 ohms which most decent amps are. The LSis benefit from high current more than high wattage, but on most amps one follow the other as well.

nhhiep

I think it has more to do with current and ohms than Watt because the lsi9 is rated at 200max. during testing, I bridged my amp to put out 400 WPC. it didn't sound better than 150WPC normal mode. the only thing I noticed is that it was much louder. even a good high current 100 WPC is enough for them. unless you find yourself play at max vol all the time.

tonyb

bthogan wrote: »

Thanks for replies! I'm wondering about this, because I'm looking to pick up a stand-in amp while my McCormack DNA-1 is in the shop (it may be a while). As far as the McCormack goes, fuggedaboudit - the two (three?) were made for each other. The synergy between that amp (185/8ohms, 370w/4 ohms) and the LSi9s is unexpectedly astounding. I went to the DNA-1 from an Adcom GFA-545, and it's like I have a new pair of speakers.

I don't want to spend too much money on a back-up amp (that will be used for at least a few months), so I'm not really thinking about the A21. The A23, if the wattage is right, looks like it would do nicely, for the prices that I've seen. I would also consider an Adcom GFA-555...I'm actually kind of curious to see if the extra wattage provides a noticeable difference in sound with these LSi9s, compared to the less-powerful GFA-545.

Another McCormack fan.....cool. Love their amps. Why not buy another dna-1 as a stand in ? Or look for a used Belles, very musical amps too.

bthogan

tonyb wrote: »

Another McCormack fan.....cool. Love their amps. Why not buy another dna-1 as a stand in ? Or look for a used Belles, very musical amps too.

I considered getting another dna-1 as a stand-in, but cost made me back down...I want to stay below $500 if I can, and the GFA-555, of course, can easily be had for less than that.

Having said that, I'm currently looking at a Parasound HCA 1500A, available for a great price, as my stand-in. It's actually an amp that I've wanted for a while; I would have been happy to have it as my main amp, until I got my DNA-1 a few months ago, hooked it up to my LSi9s, and promptly had my mind blown.

chumlie

If ya can grab the 1500a. Do it, ya won't not be sorry and can always flip it with no problem.

tonyb

bthogan wrote: »

I considered getting another dna-1 as a stand-in, but cost made me back down...I want to stay below $500 if I can, and the GFA-555, of course, can easily be had for less than that.

Having said that, I'm currently looking at a Parasound HCA 1500A, available for a great price, as my stand-in. It's actually an amp that I've wanted for a while; I would have been happy to have it as my main amp, until I got my DNA-1 a few months ago, hooked it up to my LSi9s, and promptly had my mind blown.

I bring their amps up from time to time around here but nobody seems too interested. Could be price......I dunno, but a great SS amp with qualities of tube goodness is your mission in life, look no further. If you like the DNA 1, don't listen to the DNA 500, your wallet will open up like a Jack in the Box.

Another amp on the cheap for a stand in......B&k, which I think is more in tune to what the DNA 1 delivers. Either way, enjoy the tunes with whatever grabs your fancy and hope your McCormick comes home soon.