Some Questions

donedroolin

Hello, My current surround sound system I'm useing a Sony 100 watt per channel 5 to 1 receiver, Sony STR K502P. With a sony 5 disc dvd player and all hooked to my HD plasma television. The speakers I am useing are Polk Rti10's for front, Fxi3's rear, CS2 center and a sony 150 watt 12" sub untill I buy a better sub. My questions are will I damage these speakers by under powering them. What is the best wattage to put to them to get the best sound. Do I need a new receiver with more power or will a pre amp work and how much power. I like the Denon 4806 receiver and considering to buy it. But will this have enough power. I use it all to watch movies most and sometimes for music. All my equipment is hooked with monster cables and the speakers are hooked useing monster wire. Any help with this would be great. Thanks! :cool:

donedroolin

Hey anyone who can answer my questions any information received will be a great help. Thanks!!!!!

george daniel

I prefer seperates,(power amps,etc),if your receiver has "pre outs" I woild consider using seperate power amps, any problems that I have ever encountered has been underpowering,turning up the volume,amp clipping= smoked tweeter usually, NEVER ,experienced a problem with too much power,vol control should not have to be past 11-12 o'clock position, if so watch out,,like Captian Kirk said"Scotty,,I need MORE power!!
Hope this helps,as I'm a 2 ch guy with seperates (+/-) 300 watts/ch,,I'm sure that the HT guys will jump in with alot of "hands on advice" Good luck,and welcome to CP

GLN305

I have a Sony 5.1 receiver with 100w x 5 also and I am running the Polk RT 600i's for fronts , a Definitive Technologies center channel and M5's for my surrounds. I haven't had a single problem with power/sound level or distortion. I have had this setup for about 5 years now and everything sounds wonderful still. BTW my sub is a Velodyne powered 12". I don't think you'll have any problems if you aren't trying to push your setup more than it's designed to do.

donedroolin

Thank you all for the awsome quick respones, I have said it before polk speakers are awsome, but so are the people that own them. Thanks again.

donedroolin

Anymore opiniuns or advice are GREATLY welcomed. I value all your advice so if you wanna write somthing please do. All the help and info I can get is awsome.

Eric W

Well, the universal answer to most questions in audio is- "it depends" especially for power recommendations. We need to know a little more information to see if that system is going to be powerful enough for your needs. But the primary four questions for power recommendations are:
1) The kinds of speakers you have (we know the answer to this one already). The more efficient the loudspeaker, the less power is needed to drive them. However, keep in mind just because a speaker is more efficient, does not mean they sound 'better'.

2) Your room size and acoustics. The larger the room air volume wise (cathedral ceilings, rooms that "open up" into another etc), as well as the more sound absorbing materials in the room (such as plush carpet, heavy drapes, large bookshelves, soft upholstered furniture), the more power is needed.

3) The program material to be played. Movies and music with alot of bass, such as action movies, rock, hip hop, club music, as well as dynamic recordings of jazz and classical will require much more power than talk radio or the 6 PM news.

4) Ultimately how loudly you expect the system to play. Playing the system at a low, back ground music volume requires significantly less power then playing it at box office theater, night club or concert levels.

But generally, 100 watts per channel is enough to satisfy the vast majority of listeners. If you find that the receiver is running out of power/clipping when playing at to your needs, then you need more power.

shack

Just remember all wpc are not created equally and Sony is among the worst at inflating their numbers. A general consensus on "this" forum is that non ES Sony AVRs are on the low end of the spectrum and are not among the recommended products. If you drive the RTi10s hard with your receiver, I would be willing to bet the Sony would start to run out of power and clipping/damage could occur.

McLoki

This is a ballpark figure, so take it for that.

If you already own the sony AVR, hook it up and let it play. If you are just thinking about getting it, I would go with a better name AVR. (HK, Dennon, Onkyo, Yamaha are all good names)

Assuming you already own the AVR, you might want to upgrade at some point, but for now you are fine. When playing movies (or music) and you start to turn it up, just listen for any distortion, or odd sounds. (like on music peaks the soundstage just starts to collapse or you notice that brass instruments just don't sound quite right.)

What an external amp (or larger AVR) should get you is, as you turn up the volume everything sounds more clear. If you turn it up and it gets louder but not easier to understand, it is starting to distort and you are on the road to tweeter replacement.

I would think you should be fine to -15 or -20 from reference level. I am sure it will play louder than that, but I don't know if your AVR will have the power it needs to play it correctly.

Michael

donedroolin

Hey Guys,
I am more confused now as to what receicer to buy. Been lookin at the 4806 as you know, but I see B and K AVR 507 series 2 pushes 150 watts. The H and K 7300 110 watts and the Denon 140 watts that is if I'm reading the specs correct with the ohms and all. My speakers are Rti10's front ,Cs2 center that I am going to exchange for the Csi3 or LsiC let me know, Fxi3's rear and Sony 12" sub and that I know Im replacing that with an SVS sub. My room is 14'x14' with carpet and big couches. Also the living room opens to the dining room like they are one so you could add another 26 feet to the room size. This is a raised ranch so thier are stairs behind my rear speakers that go downstairs. My rear speakers are on a half wall. But see I'm thinking during this year I will probally will trade my 10's for the Rti12's so I wanna have enough power to drive these if I get them. I like the Fxi3's for rears they are a good size and sound good. I think the HK dont have enough power and if I buy one of those good receivers will that be enough or do you reccomend an amp. Sorry so long trying to answer back questions . THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!! for all your help. Signed Dazed and Confused.

donedroolin

Plaese help me with these questions, Thanks alot

aaharvel

dont' waste your time with an LSIc- You have RTI mains and surrounds. Get the csi3 (the csi5 is not worth double the price unless you have a bigger than average-sized room).

Shack is pretty much right on the $ when it comes to high watts with crap power supplies providing zero current capabilities (COUGH-sony).

Considering the speakers that you own & or willing to upgrade to- i'd be best if you stay away from lower-line Sonys, Onkyos and Yamahas.

As for the better quality brand receivers out there, Harman/Kardon will provide you with just as much (if not more) power/current than a comparably priced Denon & Marantz. But hey, if you're in the market for a B&K then you just answered your question of "which receiver" right there.