4 ohm's

doug lang

Hey I hate to belabor this but I have a question regarding the 4 ohm requirement for the polk lsi series. I am using a onkyo 989 receiver and the 4 ohms is not available with this receiver. My front speakers include a Lsi center and two more front Lsi's to follow. Can I power the three speakers with a preamp? Can I do this with a 2 channel or something higher. Any recommendations on what I can use. Thanks for your time, Doug

Early B.

I'd suggest getting a 3 or 5 channel amp for your speakers. The Lsi series are high quality speakers that need to be driven by high quality components to sound their best. To do otherwise is to defeat the purpose for buying them. MOST receivers will not drive them adequately and are not designed for it.

reeltrouble1

That 989 was onk's top of the line if I remember right, it might be able to handle the load if you did not drive the speakers hard.

As Early has suggested you really need a separate amp(s), use the preouts on the 989 and then it will serve as your pre processor.

Their are many amps to choose from, you are looking for something with a high peak to peak amperage rating.

RT1

Toxis

it's not a preamp you need, it's just an amp. As already stated, find a 3 or 5 channel amp and be done with it. The 989 will drive them and sound pretty good but it will definitely be limited on headroom and sound quality. Adding an amp will make them come to life.

Tour2ma

Actually your manual does state dynamic power specs for 4 and 3 ohm loads. The problem is instead of handling dips to 4-ohm from 8 or 6, that'd be where you are starting.

So yes, as said above, you can use it with LSi's, it's just a matter of whether it will be enough for you. It might be if:
- you aren't looking for reference level HT experiences, and
- your HT is in a smallish room, and
- you're only running 5 ch's,
then it just might be enough. And if a good sub is in the picture, it will relieve your Onk of some of the load and help it do a job that pleases you.

If the Onk doesn't cut it for you, I'm not sure how much resale value is in it, but it is worth considering unloading it. Adding amps onto it's ****-end leaves alot of its value unutilized. That many AVR's are reduced to being a Pre-Pro is one of the biggest arguments against buying them in the first place... IMO.

As for what to replace/ supplement the Onk with, if it comes to that. Well, that depends on your budget and your willingness to consider used gear.

Naples, huh? You do any snook fishing?

Welcome to Club...

doug lang

Thanks again for all the replys regarding my question. I still can't believe the interest and time you guys put into this. This is a fine club and in just one week I have learned so much. Now for my 4 ohn deal, I probably will invest in a good used amp. I plan to replace my Rt35i's with the lsi7's, and just to be sure I will add on with an amp. Thanks again. Oh by the way the snook fishing is good in Naples, but the season just closed.

Tour2ma

Keep in touch, Doug.

And I went "swish polling" off the Naples pier with Grandpa a couple times back in the 60's. One of the best, lightest fish I've ever eaten...

wingnut4772

If you can swing it, get the LSi9s instead. If you do a little research here you will find that the general consensus is that they are much better than the 7s.

I am running my LSis with an Outlaw 770 which is rated at 300w @4ohms all channels and it works well.

Welcome

doug lang

Thanks tour2ma and wingnut you guys have been most helpful.
Hey we are very lucky the pier is still there after last years storms.
It sure is a hot spot for snowbirds. Take care, Doug

Toxis

Originally posted by wingnut4772
If you can swing it, get the LSi9s instead.

+1!!!