Power Amp for RM7400s, Rm7302, Rm7300s Speakers
Hi All,
I am new to the market for power amp. currently, I have RM7400s, RM7300S and RM6901s speakers in my 7.1 HT system. I am using HK AVR-235 to push those speakers. I was using RM6900 speaker in my HT system with AVR-235. The sound was fantastic for those small speakers. But since I upgrade to those RM7400s and RM7300s speakers, the system sounds hollow and unclear with my HK AVR-235. So, I suspected that the receiver was not sufficiency to push the RM speakers. and that keeps me thinking to add a power amp in my system.
My question is that what kind of power amp would be good choice for the RM speaker? And would it be real help, if i add a power amp to push the RM speakers?
I am new to the market for power amp. currently, I have RM7400s, RM7300S and RM6901s speakers in my 7.1 HT system. I am using HK AVR-235 to push those speakers. I was using RM6900 speaker in my HT system with AVR-235. The sound was fantastic for those small speakers. But since I upgrade to those RM7400s and RM7300s speakers, the system sounds hollow and unclear with my HK AVR-235. So, I suspected that the receiver was not sufficiency to push the RM speakers. and that keeps me thinking to add a power amp in my system.
My question is that what kind of power amp would be good choice for the RM speaker? And would it be real help, if i add a power amp to push the RM speakers?
Post edited by ahchi on
Comments
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Hi Ahchi, welcome to Club Polk.
All speakers benefit from additional power! Your choices are numerous. How much do you want to spend? do you want just 2 channels or all channels amplified?
My standard response to this question no matter what kind of speakers you have is to get a minimum of 200wpc. This will drive any speaker with ease, and you can use it no matter how many pairs of speakers or receiver/prepros you go through.
Good bang for the buck amps are www.outlawaudio.com. You can also get more for your money buying used from our flea market or Audiogon.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 -
Welcome to the Forum ahchi!
Do you notice that they sound "hollow" when watching movies, listening to music, or both?
The reason I ask is because your speakers are rated at 8 Ohms with a sensitivity of about 90db.
As such, your Harman Kardon should be more than capable of juicing them to their potential.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
check polarity, positives to positives and negatives to negatives (speaker wires from the reciever to the speakers.. what your describing can be a phase problem . worth a lookLiving Room 2 Channel -
Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.
Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.
Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites -
^^^
+1I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Hi All,
Thanks you all for the info. I noticed the sound unclear when watching movie during fast action and all channel driving in loud volume. The sound image is difficult to locate and it sounded loud but not clear.
BTW, I forgot to mention that I have 2 RM6901 for surround back. So, It is 7.1 system. I am thinking a 5 or 6 channel power amp(used around $400-500)to drive front, center and real surround speakers. I leave 2 surround back using HK AVR235. -
An amp won't hurt, but that HK you have is no slouch -- especially with the speakers you're mating it with. Did you check the polarity like Oskigod suggested?I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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I have AVIA DVD. I used it to check all the speakers and I physically checked them again. I think the polarity should be OK. Anyway, it was a good point.
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Okay... what settings are you using on your receiver?
... and is your sub hooked-up to the "sub-out" on the back of the HK or are you running your front speakers through the back of the sub?I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
Oops. I forget to mention those info too. I used sub out to subwoofer and I set cross-over at 80Hz for all speaker. BTW. I do not understand the specs for the Rm7300s.
Overall Frequency Response 65Hz - 26kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 90Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 25kHz
Should I set cross over point about 65Hz or 90Hz? -
Hi,
I think that i should not describe the sound hollow. When watching move at high volume. It sounds like just mix up a lot of noise. It difficult to tell the sound stage and what the sound was.
The Rm6900 I had that was sounded more dynamic and fast compared to my current setup.
However, Do not get me wrong, the RM7400, RM7300 speakers are very good speakers. when listening at low volume, the sound stage is very clear, accurate and 3D.
My problem was that when 7 channel driving in high volume, the sound image was not as good as playing at low volume. So, that was the reason, which keeps me thinking to add a power amp to my system.
Did any one have idea what power amp would be good match with RM7400 and RM7300? -
I just won a power amp on ebay 'Harman kardon PA5800 80wpc x 5'. It should arrive 2 weeks later. The power is a bit lower than I wanted. But, I think H/K always under rate their amp and I like the tone of HK amp. So, I am going to give it a try.
I may try bi-amp the front speakers as well.
I will post the test result. -
Cool... let us know how it sounds. You're absolutely right. HK is very conservative with how they rate their power output.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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I am still waiting the power amp. It has been 2 weeks since the amp was shipped, it should be here any minutes.;)
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You are simply driving your speakers into distortion. The new amp may help some at low and high volumes with clarity, but the difference between your receiver and the separate amp can only give your 2 db increase in clear sound.
For a real difference, you will need more speaker and more power.HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable
2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable -
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for your advise.
Would you suggest any particular model of power amp and the setup for speakers? -
I just got the power amp. hook it up and try it.
First impression, WOW, the sound is opening up and 3D. Punch is quick and solid. the speakers response quicker, faster and most accurate no matter at low or high volume.
I have a Velodyne ULD-12 sub woofer; it is 20 years old but it is still doing a very good job. Due to the woofer size of the POLK RM series speakers, which lacks the bass. With old amp, I could fell a gap between speakers and sub-woofer. However, when using the power amp H/K PA5800, the gap is gone. The speakers and sub-woofer is blending together perfectly. I do not have much time to do testing for now. I will do more testing and post it later.
I just won a active crossover on eBay for bi-amping. I am looking forward the result.
Thanks for looking!
