Hooking up my first polks

bigaudiofanatic

Okay when i get my LSi15's in a couple of weeks and was woundering 1. will my yamaha rx-v361 reciever handle this pair of speakers and my 2 question is in the description they talk about "Dual sets of gold-plated 5-way binding posts for bi-amp/bi-wire hookup" what does this all mean and what do i do for hooking them up? Thank You

McLoki

I would not turn it up loud and as you creep the volume up - pay attention and turn it down if you start to hear any distortion at all. (to answer your question - it wont burst into flames right away, but it wont sound its best either and if you are not careful you could damage the speakers and or reciever)

Dont worry about the binding posts right away. Hook some speaker wire to the black terminal (for fronts) on your reciever and make sure the black terminal on the reciever is connected to one of the black terminals on the speaker. Repeat for the red terminals. (as long as the brass jumpers are in place, it does not matter if you use the red black pair on the top or the bottom.)

I thought you just purchased some R300's? Not happy with them?

bigaudiofanatic

Well i did not get them i started to think and i wanted something that will be BETTER than my jbl's so i step up ahem a few levels LOL

bigaudiofanatic

And what do u mean burst into flames "right away" am i going to hurt this pair of speakers or my reciver

bigaudiofanatic

A little scarry what ur saying McLoki

pmckeealaska

You're not going to get the most out of your 15's with that receiver. Get a seperate 2 channel amp (if your receiver has pre-outs) and you'll be much happier. I'll never forget the first time I hooked up my 2 channel amp. It truly made my 25's sing!

danger boy

if your receiver does burst into flames.. be sure to post it on YouTube

bigaudiofanatic

I hate youtube and MYSPACE HATE THAT but okay so i need a 2 channel amp any recommendations

Ron Temple

If the Yamaha doesn't have pre-outs, it won't matter. You definitely went north on your speaker selection. You really should have researched the LSis though.

McLoki

........

Long story short - before spending alot more money, maybe you should list out your equipment, budget and what you are trying to accomplish and we can try to keep you from making some costly missteps along the way.

Either way - Good luck,

Michael

bigaudiofanatic

Okay here is what I have. I have a Yamaha RX-V361 Reciever, Sirius SR-H550 Radio Tuner, Polk PSW10 Sub, Polk LSi C Center, Polk LSi15's "Getting Soon", Yamaha Rears. Okay what I am trying to get is a GREAT system that can be great sounding with music "ALL TYPES" and movies "ALL TYPES" at a good price looking to spend around 5-8 grand. SUGEST AWAY

bigaudiofanatic

bump

Ron Temple

Hi BAF,

Your biggest problem is the mismatch of your AVR with your LCR. That entry level Yammie might make some sound for awhile with your LSis, but it's totally inadequate for the job.

You can get back on track, on a budget, by getting a feature rich, with pre-amp outputs, AVR to work as a pre-amplifier/processor. I use an HK 245, picked up from the HK Direct ebay store for less than $250. It still won't run your speakers, but it's got solid sound quality and features.

Then you need to pickup a 2, 3, 5 or 7 channel amp with high current capability that handles 4 ohms. Do a search, there are tons of similar questions and various answers. It depends on what you want to spend. However, you can easily find something quite good for less than $1500 used.

I'd finish up...by upgrading your surrounds to either LSiFX or 7s and a great sub. You can easily do this for less than $4gs total or go whole hog and spend the $8gs.

bigaudiofanatic

Okay but what if i dont want a seperate amp just to power those two for music and just use a good reciever or can I run suround sound while using the seperat amp? Little confused also I have been looking at onkyo and denon or is there better ones out there?

cfrizz

Then I hope your hearing is in good order since you won't be able to play it very loud. To do so will heat up the receiver & throw it into protect mode. As well as risk your speakers.

As Ron said, do a search about LSI's & receivers before you do damage.

Ron Temple

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Okay but what if i dont want a seperate amp just to power those two for music and just use a good reciever or can I run suround sound while using the seperat amp? Little confused also I have been looking at onkyo and denon or is there better ones out there?

There are variables and trade offs. If you go with a complete LSi speaker package, it will pay off to have a multichannel (5 or 7)amp. One box or rack space vs. multiple 2 channel amps (like me). All you need is an AVR with pre-outs.

A ballzy AVR like the Onkyo 805/875, which are rated for 4 ohms, can handle the surround and possible center duties, fairly well...maybe the whole setup. To get the most from your LSi speakers, you'll still benefit from a capable separate amp. I'd stay away from anything less than a 4xxx Denon with LSis. Yes, there are better ones, subjectively. Look at NAD, B&K, Outlaw or Emotiva.

danger boy

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Okay but what if i dont want a seperate amp just to power those two for music and just use a good reciever or can I run suround sound while using the seperat amp? Little confused also I have been looking at onkyo and denon or is there better ones out there?

just get the Onkyo, play your LSi's really loud and see how long the Onkyo lasts. before it bursts into flames.

very few receivers in that price range can handle the demands of the LSi speakers. they just aren't designed to do it.. your receiver at the very least will get very hot, then going into protection mode, then finally, harming it... and then you're out a Onkyo receiver. that's how it goes.

yes, the Onkyo will power the LSi's for a while, but in most cases, it'll at some point get overtaxed. and die. :eek:

engtaz

Get a pre amp and a couple of Outlaw M200 and go for it.

bigaudiofanatic

All of your edvice is great the only problem is that I know a lot about car audio and home audio but some of this stuff I am getting confused like why do I need another 2 channel amp when i'll get a good quality reciever? and some of the other stuff as well.

danger boy

it is good advice.. and we're just trying to keep you from frying either your receiver or any speaker(s).

look at it this way.. if you install a head unit in your car.. and it's rated at 50wpc X 4, yes it will drive your speakers and you'll get something (audio/music) out of them. but then you add the same 50wpc, but it's an external amp

same watts right? well yes the numbers say they are the same, but an amp is going to make those speakers sound way better than driving them off your head unit. trust me. I went from a 50wpc head unit to a small 40wpc amp.. trust me. the difference WAS night and day. the speakers really came to life with that small 40wpc amp.

I don't know all the techy mumbo jumbo as to why it's needed, but I know that 4ohm speakers like the LSi models require a lot of current, not just watts, but more current than a receiver is capable of. With a receiver, the power supply has to power everything inside the case. with an external amp. it's power supply is only supplying power to one thing, the amp(s) inside.

AndyGwis

For you, bigaudiofanatic (and don't take this the wrong way), I think it would be best and easiest to get a good receiver for your speakers and not worry about external amps, prepros, etc.

If you have a reasonable budget, which you do, you can get a really good AVR that will power the Lsi's very adequately.

I would decide which features you need (HDMI or not, 7.1 or 5.1, newest audio formats). If you aren't needing HDMI, I would suggest something like an NAD T773. They can be had for under $1000.

If you do need HDMI and the latest features, maybe the new NAD T783 / T785 would be best.

There are certainly plenty of other brands that can drive LSi speakers, but I would stay away from the usual Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha just to be safe. NAD is rated to 2 ohms, so 4 shouldn't be a big issue.

tonyb

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

All of your edvice is great the only problem is that I know a lot about car audio and home audio but some of this stuff I am getting confused like why do I need another 2 channel amp when i'll get a good quality reciever? and some of the other stuff as well.

Most low to mid level receivers can't handle a 4 ohm speaker,which is what the lsi 15's are.They simply do not have the proper amp section in those avr's.So instead of over heating the receiver,or toasting your speakers because of the distortion you will be throwing at it,get a decent 2 channel amp for them.You can pick up a used one for a few hundies anywhere.Of coarse,if you want them to sound better than your JBL's that is.Do some research next time before buying speakers to see what is the right amount of power needed for them.You can run most 8 ohm speakers off an AVR and polk has many to choose from that will leave those JBL's in the dust.Get your read on pal.

George Grand

".....the only problem is that I know a lot about car and home audio but some of this stuff I am getting confused...."

Somebody has asked JUST enough questions to maybe need a name change. If you knew a lot about home audio, this thread wouldn't exist.

bigaudiofanatic

Your funny ha ha please do not insault me I built my first computer when i was 7.OK NEXT everything i now know about computers, car audio, and home electronics ALL SELF TAUGHT. No one showed me any of this stuff so there ya go all self taugh but now that I am getting deeper into better speakers yes I will edmit I DO NEED HELP. Here just look at my baby AKA Saphira

George Grand

I don't know anything about computers, and don't really care to learn about them. You might get a prize for computer building, but your audio knowledge doesn't match up with a statement like "......I know a lot about car and home audio", so don't pitch a hissy fit okay?

bigaudiofanatic

LOL well but i do no hissy fit here "anyway"

George Grand

Again? Slowly this time. Breathe deep and then type. Where you at in Jersey? Come buy some **** off me.

Ron Temple

I'd be all over that in a heartbeat...

bigaudiofanatic

What do you have George?

bigaudiofanatic

I think I have done a good amount of searching and i think I have found my pre amp. Has anyone had on of these. Let me know how you liked it.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/970.html

danger boy

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I think I have done a good amount of searching and i think I have found my pre amp. Has anyone had on of these. Let me know how you liked it.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/970.html

never heard of it or Outlaw Audio :rolleyes: