Do I really need an amp?

millerman 3732

I have an Onkyo 601 receiver 85 watts x 6 which I have calibrated at 75db's with a sound level meter. In most cases I find that 75db's is to loud for my set up and room size , but it dosen't seem to put any real strain on the receiver or the speakers to play at 75db's. The crossover is set at 80 so the internal amp dosn't have to push alot of bass to the speakers. So I'am asking is that adding an external higher powered amp really necessary in my case, also the set up is used for movies only no music. What sould I do???

audiobliss

I would say it'd really help to know what speakers you're pushing. Not knowing that, I still feel pretty confident saying 'yes'.

millerman 3732

cs 400i (center)
Rti 6 (mains)
fxi 3 (sides)
CSi20 (rear )

gregure

The Onkyo 601 is a decent machine for home theater, and if you're comfortable with the sound, I would say that your setup is fine. That aside, a better amp will always reward you with more detailed, smoother sound, with tighter, deeper bass, and more refined sound even at lower volumes. The biggest benefit would be for music playback, although the Onkyo HT receivers are crap for quality music preamplification, so it doesn't really matter all that much. Again, if you're satisfied for now, leave it. Save up for something really nice in the future, when you can upgrade the whole shebang, or move into a place where you can start comfortably rocking it at over 100 dB.

millerman 3732

I don't use the system for music play back and the sub handles the biggest part of the bass with the crossover set at 80 htz ,so with that being said, would I still hear a noticable difference in movie play back?

and also gregure 100db's man thats carzy, lol

millerman 3732

well that sucks,I just took a closer look at my receiver and it's an onkyo tx sr 600 an not a 601 and dosen't even have pre out to hook an external amp, so now what ??

audiobliss

Now? You manage to convince yourself you're satisfied without an external amp.

millerman 3732

could be hard to do

audiobliss

Well, in all honesty, it seems like you don't really need one. You said that you pretty much listen only to movies and that not even at high levels. If you listened to music, and thus wanted great SQ out of your system, or if you said that you listened to movies at reference levels, or if your receiver got very hot and not infrequently shut off, then you would need to be looking for an external amp.

So, while external amps will always provide improvements, your situation doesn't seem to be asking for any improvements. But then, of course, you may just want them, lol. Like me.

millerman 3732

thanks for the input audio bliss I' keep that in mind next time I get the upgradeidis