Harmon Kardon Receiver Wattage?

Devo220
Devo220 Posts: 32
edited December 2004 in Electronics
I have been looking at a new HK AVR 330 receiver, I went and test drove one at CC and it sounded great. My only problem with it is the low wattage it is rated at, 55 wpc. I have Polk RTi8's, FXi3 surrounds and a Csi3 center channel speakers. Will the HK receiver have enough power to drive the speakers without breaking up at higher volumes?
Arcam DiVa AVR300 Receiver
Outlaw Audio 755 Power Amp
Audio Tecnica lp120 Turntable
Polk Audio LSi15 Front Speakers
Polk Audio LSi9 Rear Surrounds
Polk CSi2 Center Speaker
Apple Mac Mini HTPC
Samsung HL67A750 TV
Post edited by Devo220 on
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Comments

  • 2+2
    2+2 Posts: 546
    edited December 2004
    HKs sound fantastic and most here will tell ya that 55w of HK = 100w of anything else. I am beginning to agree with HKs view that current capacity is just as important as watts. My HK 230 sounded better than my ex Rotel 1075. My HK 5800 with 80watts/ch sounds much better than my 1075 and comes pretty close to my Rotel 1080 which is a 200 watt/ch. This has been my experience and opinion....based on driving LSi15 which is likely the hardest speaker to drive in the current Polk line-up...(maybe the RTi12 is just as tough to drive?).

    Oops...didn't answer your Q. Yes they will drive them with enough power...at least as well as other receivers having around 100 watt rating (except maybe Onkyos and Denons?) If your receiver has preouts, why dont you buy a 2channel amp and drive your mains with the amp and drive the surrounds with the receiver?
    System 1: Martin Logan Vantage, Rotel RC 1070, B&K Reference 200.2, Music Hall DAC 15.2, Yamaha 2300

    System 2: LSi15 w/db840, Marantz SR8400, Rotel 1080, RM6800 (C&S), Sony X2020ES

    System 3: LSi7, Yamaha SW215, Music Hall Maven, Music Hall MMF CD25 w/627opamps

    System 4: RTi100, Harman Kardon AVR 230, Panasonic DVD
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited December 2004
    but that's a TRUE 55w/ch. Check out what a Sony, JVC, Panasonic 100-140w/ch. receiver is really putting out (35w if you're lucky) and you'll be fine. The 330 will drive the hell out of them all day long.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Devo220
    Devo220 Posts: 32
    edited December 2004
    Thanks I kinda figured it wasn't going to be a problem but you never know, better safe than sorry. And it doesn't hurt to ask!
    Arcam DiVa AVR300 Receiver
    Outlaw Audio 755 Power Amp
    Audio Tecnica lp120 Turntable
    Polk Audio LSi15 Front Speakers
    Polk Audio LSi9 Rear Surrounds
    Polk CSi2 Center Speaker
    Apple Mac Mini HTPC
    Samsung HL67A750 TV
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  • Mike682
    Mike682 Posts: 2,074
    edited December 2004
    I had the same questions when I bought my 225. This thing is very loud and clear..I knew something was up when I saw how much it weighed: 60w x 5 non-digital receiver@ 26.9 lbs.

    You should be able to find that series on discount somewhere as the new series just came out.
    Receiver: harmankardon AVR235
    Mains: polk R30
    Center: polk CSi3
    Rear Surrounds: polk R20
    Subwoofer: polk PSW404
    DVD: Panasonic DVD-S29
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