LSi7 amplification question

beuchelt

A quick question that I am puzzeled with: I am planning on putting LSi7s as surrounds and I have a Denon 2106. That 2106 is already driving an LSiC (quite happily) and I am wondering if it might be capable of handling the 7's in the back, as well.

I *know* that the 2106 is only rated for 6-16 Ohms, but with only few of the amp stages used, the internal power supply might be able to drive a few 4 Ohm speakers.

Is this reasonable at all or am I putting my receiver at risk?

BTW: I rarely drive those speaker at high volumes - a setting of -15dB on the receiver would already be quite high in my application.

Thanks!

jdhdiggs

You "shouldn't" have issues, especially if you aren't driving the fronts on the same receiver. But you should look for a better solution down the road.

McLoki

You should be ok - the LSiC is actually the harder to drive than the 7's. The LSi7's are actually closer to a 6 ohm load.

Michael.

Edit - of course standard disclaimer that an external amp will allow you to get more from the speakers - but if you are happy with the sound you are getting - adding the 7's should'nt be that bad.

Refefer

Just don't turn up the volume too high and you should be ok. Too loud, and your denon will have a meltdown. At some point you should seriously consider getting an amp, if just for the added security: It would be a shame if during an especially dynamic scene you lost your receiver, rears, and center all in one fell swoop.

beuchelt

Thanks everyone - I will probably try to go with using the Denon right now and upgrade to a power amp later.

saryon

I'm in the same boat as beuchelt.

I purchased a pair of LSi7 for my front L/R and a LSiC for my center channel. I'm using a pair of small JBL speakers for my surrounds and the Polk PSW10 for my subwoofer to complete my 5.1 setup. I have been using the Onkyo 604 receiver, but I've been worried about either ruining the speakers or the receiver.

A couple things for me - I have a PS3, a Sony KDF55-655 Wega LCD, and a Directv HD receiver - all with HDMI. So, I need a receiver that can switch and process HDMI.

I'm very knowledgable about high-end video, but I'm a neophyte on the audio. I've researched Onkyo, Yamaha, Sony, and Denon receivers, and they all suggest only running a pair of 4ohm speakers at most - just as everyone has discussed. So does that mean I need to get an amp just for my center speaker? And what do I look for in an amp?

About 3 months ago I thought a $500 receiver would handle all my needs. About a month ago I thought maybe $1000 would do it. Now I'm getting nervous. Can someone suggest a solution for under $1000? Or under $1500?

skipf

From my experience the Lsi's are really power hungry. They sound good pushed by a clean low power amp, but sound great if you put the juice to 'em. I'd start saving for a power amp if you want full performance from your 7's.

cfrizz

Welcome to all of you newbies.

Beuchelt, Keep an eye on the volume & the heat of your Denon. After you have been playing it a while with those LSI's feel the top it. If you can hardly touch it for the heat factor, which I suspect is what will happen, that will tell you to turn it down & start seriously looking for at least a 200wpc multichannel amplifier.

Saryon, get the lowest priced receiver that has preouts & also start looking at 200wpc multichannel amps.

Or better yet, save more money & just get separates. If new look at Outlaw Audio for good bang for the buck components.

Otherwise, check out Audiogon for used equipment.

AndyGwis

Can someone suggest a solution for under $1000? Or under $1500?

I've got a great solution for under $1K.

Send me your LSi7s and LSiC. I will send you some very nice 8 ohm, high sensitivity speakers that can be driven by whatever HDMI capable receiver you get.

Once you get a HDMI receiver, then add an amp or amps, then get LSi15 fronts and move the LSi7s to surrounds, then add another amp, then get a pre/pro next year that will be HDMI compatible. . . we're talking like $5K.

Get out now! PM me and I'll send my shipping addy for the Lsi package.

cfrizz

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!:D

AndyGwis wrote: »

I've got a great solution for under $1K.

Send me your LSi7s and LSiC. I will send you some very nice 8 ohm, high sensitivity speakers that can be driven by whatever HDMI capable receiver you get.

Once you get a HDMI receiver, then add an amp or amps, then get LSi15 fronts and move the LSi7s to surrounds, then add another amp, then get a pre/pro next year that will be HDMI compatible. . . we're talking like $5K.

Get out now! PM me and I'll send my shipping addy for the Lsi package.

AndyGwis

SOOOO. . . how we looking on this? I can chip in for shipping costs.

saryon

AndyGwis wrote: »

I've got a great solution for under $1K.

Send me your LSi7s and LSiC. I will send you some very nice 8 ohm, high sensitivity speakers that can be driven by whatever HDMI capable receiver you get.

Once you get a HDMI receiver, then add an amp or amps, then get LSi15 fronts and move the LSi7s to surrounds, then add another amp, then get a pre/pro next year that will be HDMI compatible. . . we're talking like $5K.

Get out now! PM me and I'll send my shipping addy for the Lsi package.

Brilliant idea. What's your address?

Or what about getting an Onkyo 805 and an Outlaw Audio 2200 M-block amp for my center channel? Then, when I want to move the lsi7's as my surround, and get lsi9's for the front, I could pick up another pair of block amps. I figure the 805 plus one amp will be under $1500 in the short term.

Bill Ayotte

I would really suggest popping for an Outlaw Processor/receiver.....Maybe a used Sunfire TG1...Outlaw has as a receiver for a reasonable price...What about Nad? There are a lot of great options available in that price range man...Don't rule out used either....You can save a lot of money that way too....

dudeinaroom

Here is just another suggestion *link*
And here is a link To Adcoms web site with a pic and info

Demiurge

I wouldn't try running those speakers on your Denon. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it. Buying an amp is a lot cheaper than having to buy a new Receiver/Pre-Pro and a new amp.

dudeinaroom

for $1400 I think that Adcom beast..er..receiver would do the trick

cyberhazard

saryon wrote: »

Can someone suggest a solution for under $1000? Or under $1500?

An Outlaw 7125 drives my 4ohm loads at 190 wpc all day long without breaking a sweat. Well within your price range.

BTW
My A/V receiver allows me to biamp the LSi9's via the unused rear channels.

Bill Ayotte

Here's one for ya....This thing is a monster....
http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/t773.asp

Bill Ayotte

Or if you want to go the Amp route instead of receiver....

http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/T973.asp

PSOVLSK

I have basically the same speaker setup with an H/K receiver. I know what I've done is not the best solution, but it works for me...for now anyway. I picked up a used 2 channel amp to drive my fronts. My AVR doesn't have to work as hard and therefore runs much cooler than before. Again, not the best option, but an inexpensive one.

saryon

Bill Ayotte wrote: »

Here's one for ya....This thing is a monster....
http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/t773.asp

Thanks Bill. I was actually looking at this one recently. Spearit is just down the street from me. The problem with this NAD is the lack of HDMI. I was looking at the NAD M15...but a little expensive.

I appreciate all the suggestions.
I've discovered/decided that I'm stuck on 'needing' HDMI, and I figure if I'm going to get HDMI then I might as well wait for the A/V receivers with 1.3 HDMI. Like the Onkyo 805 (or Denon/Yamaha/Pioneer/Sony equivalent).

On an interesting note:
I just returned the Onkyo 604 I was using. I was worried about the 4ohm speakers, etc. I emailed Polk and was advised that the reciever would be fine, just watch out for the receiver going into protect mode if I listened for long periods of time at high volume levels. Which I rarely do.

The Onkyo 604 was always hot, so I put a small 4" fan behind (bought at Target for $5). This helped, but nonethless I returned it, and went back to my Onkyo 502. What's interesting, is that the 502 only gets warm. Never hot. Does the 502 have a better amp? It isn't rated such. One thing of note - the 604 was using HDMI for the audio input, and the volume dial was normally at 40-55. The 502 uses optical audio inputs, and the volume dial is at 20-35 for the same volume level.

MSALLA

PSOVLSK wrote: »

I have basically the same speaker setup with an H/K receiver. I know what I've done is not the best solution, but it works for me...for now anyway. I picked up a used 2 channel amp to drive my fronts. My AVR doesn't have to work as hard and therefore runs much cooler than before. Again, not the best option, but an inexpensive one.

I ran this way for 2 months with no problems. I also ran all 5 Lsi's at med. volumes with no problems. Don't get me wrong, I was sweating about blowing something and bought amps later. Only driving the center an 7's off the AVR is not the end of the world. The center is a true 4ohm speaker but the 7's are easyer to drive. I still drive my 7's (rears) off the receiver.