Harman Kardon Help!

2michaud
2michaud Posts: 132
edited July 2007 in Electronics
Hey all, this is my first post.

I have very recently purchased RTi8's, FXi3's, CSi5, and a Velodyne DPS-12.

I have been talking with a salesperson at Future Shop, and he said the AVR -247 with 50 watts per channel would be enough. He said that 50 watts of Harman Kardon is like 100 of Yamaha.

Is this enough power for a 5.1 setup? A guy from polk said it was not.

If it is not...what are my options? Dual amplifiers? Maybe one of those monster amplifiers?

Thanks,

Dan
I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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Comments

  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    edited July 2007
    You would probably want a separate 2 channel amp to at least run the fronts and let the AVR carry the rest. Your setup is fairly close to mine and that's how I'm doing it. I'll probably get a good 5 channel amp when the coin is available and use the HK as a pre.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,071
    edited July 2007
    My 335 ran my 8's with no issues, with that said once I added my monoblocks and juiced them with 200W each, they were much much better.
    To answer your question Yes it will work how well is up to you to decide.

    BTW welcome to the Forum! Felow Canuck
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2007
    2michaud welcome to Club Polk. that HK receiver will power your Polk Audio speakers ok.. but if you want to increase the power by adding a separate amp.. it would really benefit your speakers and it will add more clarity to your them.

    come back and ask more questions.. or you can also do a search in the forums as well.

    congrats on building your first system.. you've got a good set of speakers there.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • G-force
    G-force Posts: 82
    edited July 2007
    For the last year and a half I was running an H/K 240 with RTI8, RTI4 and CSI5, and it did a splendid job. I could hit reference with no distortion when calibrated properly.
    I would not worry about a seperate amp, at least not right away. If you feel it necessary down the road use the 247's preouts with a seperate amp. I think you be happy with the H/K's power though. Good luck!
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2007
    daboyz wrote: »
    You would probably want a separate 2 channel amp to at least run the fronts and let the AVR carry the rest. Your setup is fairly close to mine and that's how I'm doing it. I'll probably get a good 5 channel amp when the coin is available and use the HK as a pre.

    If money is an issue you would be best off to spend on a real solid 2 channel, and upgrade to a 5 channel further down the road if necessary. 50 watts of HK is truly better than 100 of yammi. You don't need a lot of power for the center, and surrounds if you set them to small. I was running an HK235, and very very pleased with it. BTW Welcome to club Polk.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • BIZILL
    BIZILL Posts: 5,432
    edited July 2007
    can you afford a bit more powerful an h/k receiver? a few more watts?

    POLK SDA-SRS 1.2TL -- ADCOM GFA-5802
    PANASONIC PT-AE4000U -- DIY WILSONART DW 135" 2.35:1 SCREEN
     ONKYO TX-SR805
    CENTER: CSI5
    MAINS: RTI8'S
    SURROUNDS: RTI8'S
    7.1 SURROUNDS: RTI6'S
    SUB: SVS PB12-PLUS/2 (12.3 series)
    XBOX 360    WiiPS3/blu-rayTOSHIBA HD-A35 hd dvd

    http://polkarmy.com/forums/index.php
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I have no facts to back that up, but I never let facts get in the way of my arguments.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,071
    edited July 2007
    BIZILL wrote: »
    can you afford a bit more powerful an h/k receiver? a few more watts?


    I don't feel that for an extra couple 100$ to move up a model or 2 only to get 10-20w more worth while. Buying a 2ch or 3ch amp would be a better investment.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2007
    Willow wrote: »
    I don't feel that for an extra couple 100$ to move up a model or 2 only to get 10-20w more worth while. Buying a 2ch or 3ch amp would be a better investment.

    +1 on that
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • 2michaud
    2michaud Posts: 132
    edited July 2007
    So basically the consensus is that I should get a second amp. Perhaps the AVR 144 would be worth the money? ( $235 CAD )

    How do amp ratings work? If I have a 350W 7 channel reciever and I am only using is in 5.1 does the amp divide the power up among the channels being used or all of the channels?

    Dan
    I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

    HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited July 2007
    2michaud wrote: »
    So basically the consensus is that I should get a second amp. Perhaps the AVR 144 would be worth the money? ( $235 CAD )

    How do amp ratings work? If I have a 350W 7 channel reciever and I am only using is in 5.1 does the amp divide the power up among the channels being used or all of the channels?

    Dan

    You need to make sure the receiver has PreOuts, and yes/no the power is limited by the output stages of the amp, but in stereo mode the HK's put out a little more L/R.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited July 2007
    Dan,

    The 2xx and up series of HKs have pre-outs. I also feel that unless you need to video features of the higher models, the 2 & 3xx series are a better option.

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • 2michaud
    2michaud Posts: 132
    edited July 2007
    well, thanks for all your opinions. I will see if I can get another amp real cheap somewhere. I don't think it's going to be easy...r:confused::(
    I think Bananas are awesome fruit.

    HT: Polk Audio RTi8 x2, Polk Audio CSi5, Polk Audio FXi3 x2, Velodyne DPS-12, Harman/Kardon AVR 247, Samsung 245BW Moniter/TV, Yamaha S1700 DVD/SACD, BJC Optical Cable, 12 guage speaker cable, Monster Standard Subwoofer Cable, Monster Lightspeed 1000 Optical Cable, Z-Line component rack, APC SurgeArrest 11-outlet.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=81835
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