Polk LSi25 and Polk LSi15s are rated 4 ohms. Denon 5700 receiver is rated 6-16 ohms.

Mitch Menik
Mitch Menik Posts: 10
edited June 2013 in Troubleshooting
What do I need to do to make my Denon AVR-5700 receiver compatible with my Polk LSi25s Fronts and LSi15s rears? The Denon manual says Speakers with an impedance of from 6 to 16 ohms can be connected for
use as front and center speakers. It does not tell me what to do if I have Polk speakers rated at 4 ohms. I have had my current configuration for about 10 years and just realized this may be a problem. Can you help me?

My Center is a Polk CS350LS. Even though the LSi25s have built in 150w subs, I also have a separate 525W cylinder Sub SVS 20-39PC+

I also have two other Denon 3806 Receivers and want to know if I need to use them as amplifiers for each of the LSi25s or if that would be the wrong thing to do.
Post edited by Mitch Menik on
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,201
    edited May 2013
    If you've been using it for 10 years I'd say you're okay. Looks like a beast of an AVR.

    If you really want to make it "compatible" get an 5 channel amp.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    Thanks PSOVLSK for your reply. I see a bunch of other posts about this same issue. It seems like I might get better sound from the speakers if I get a 5 channel 4 ohm amp. I will look around for a used one. Thanks again.
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    I also have a Sony STR-DA5200ES. I see in the manual that it is rated for either 4 or 8 ohms. I am thinking of just adding this Sony receiver to my system and running the 4 ohm Polk LSi25s and LSi15s with it...maybe also even my Polk CS350LS Center Channel that is rated 8 ohms.

    I have four outdoor Polk Atrium 55s and four in wall/ceiling RCi 80s & 85s that I could switch to the Denon 5700 as a separate Zone(s).

    Do you or anyone else have any idea about this?
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  • hertz9753
    hertz9753 Posts: 310
    edited May 2013
    Polk LSi speakers love power. There is no way to get around it, even with modded cross overs
    AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
    Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
    Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
    Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
    Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    This is the first time I have ever begun to consider adding a separate amp. I am not sure what a modded cross over is, but I will research it. Thanks for the reply.
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  • hertz9753
    hertz9753 Posts: 310
    edited May 2013
    Mitch Menik wrote: »
    This is the first time I have ever begun to consider adding a separate amp. I am not sure what a modded cross over is, but I will research it. Thanks for the reply.

    http://www.vr3mods.com/CastleLSi9.php

    They sound beautiful. :biggrin:
    AVR-Onkyo TX-NR808
    Front amp-Adcom GFA 555>Polk Audio LSi9's(Vr3 Castle Mods)
    Center amp-Adcom GFA 5400>Polk Audio LSi9 bi-wired(Vr3 Castle Mod)
    Surrounds-Polk Audio F/X500's<Onkyo TX-NR808
    Sub-Velodyne SPL-1000R
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited May 2013
    Welcome to Club Polk.

    First things first, get a five channel amp of at least 200wpc @8ohms brand new amps to look at are Outlaw Audio or Emotiva. If you are willing to go used look on Audiogon for Sunfire, Parasound, Rotel, B&K, Nad, Adcom.

    Once you hear your speakers operating to their full potential, then if you want you can start thinking about other upgrades.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    I am not sure about the 8 ohms. My speakers are rated 4 ohms. I think you might be saying that an 8 ohm amp that has 200 wpc or better will also be fitting for my 4 ohm situation, right?
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    Where can I learn about amps and the benefit to my system. How do I post my configuration/components in my profile/signature like the rest of you do?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,962
    edited May 2013
    Mitch,
    Most quality amps will be rated for both. For instance, you may see it rated at 200 watts per channel at 8ohm, 350 watts per channel at 4 ohm. If an amp does not have any ratings for 4 ohm it's usually a good sign of a weak power supply.
    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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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    Thank you for the insight!
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    what is the best way to find an inexpensive but very good quality used amp? How long will an amp last? Is it a mistake to try and go cheap on a 200+wpc amp? Where can I get some education about this next jump up in my learning?
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  • Mitch Menik
    Mitch Menik Posts: 10
    edited May 2013
    The used amps on Audiogon seem to be expensive. I will have to do some learning to help me get over the sticker price shock, LOL. I would like to hear my speakers at their full potential.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,201
    edited May 2013
    Mitch Menik wrote: »
    what is the best way to find an inexpensive but very good quality used amp? How long will an amp last? Is it a mistake to try and go cheap on a 200+wpc amp? Where can I get some education about this next jump up in my learning?

    craigslist. Local so you can actually check it out and you save on shipping which can be expensive with amps.

    As a general rule, amps last a long time. Easily 15-20 years and then they're not ready to be thrown away. Usually just a little "refreshing" and then it's good for several more years.

    I'm seriously considering trying out a new (used) amp. If I get it, I'll be selling my NAD that is about 1-2 years old. I'm very happy with it driving my LSi system, just wanting to try out something different.

    You should be able to find a nice amp in the $500-700 range. Possible starting point could be a 3-channel to drive the fronts and let the AVR continue to drive the surrounds. I know you can't see the Flea Market, but there is a nice Parasound 3-channel amp for sale right now for $525.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited June 2013
    The Sony ES is "4 ohm compatible" no necessarily "4 ohm capable". All the switch does is enable current-limiting which will actually decrease your performance, yet safeguard against overcurrent.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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