RTi10 + Onkyo TX-SR705, to amp or not to amp?

polka

Howdy,

I am just coming up to speed on this hobby.

I have

left,right: 2 RTi10's
center: CSi5
surround: 2 FXi3
back surround: CSi3
sub: DSW Pro 600

My receiver is an Onkyo TX-SR705.

I listen at moderate volume but like nice sound.

I have my receiver set to crossover the RTi10's to the sub at 50Hz to avoid
over taxing it.

My question:
Am I under powering the RTi10's with this receiver and set-up and would I hear much of a difference if I added an additional amplifier?
(Receiver specs below).
If not swell, but if so, can you recommend something which will do the job
but still be economical?



Power Output -
Front L/R 100 W + 100 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Center 100 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround L/R 100 W + 100 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround Back L/R 100 W + 100 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Dynamic Power 240 W (3 ohms, 1 ch)
210 W (4 ohms, 1 ch)
120 W (8 ohms, 1 ch)
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 0.08% (Rated power)

nodeuces

Yes...

Amp away. Amp your Csi5 and Sub too. It does sound better.

HWNBOY

thanks for the append nodeuces. i just ordered RTI8s. I bought the CSi3 (open box price could not pass up) and I have a velodyne sub. I am reading all the threads about not having a pre-amp out since i have the onk605. am i totally screwed here? earlier i was looking around for my surrounds, but now I don't know if i have enough power for all of this. any advice? should i downplay my surrounds or am i already done with just my fronts?

polka

nodeuces wrote: »

Yes...

Amp away. Amp your Csi5 and Sub too. It does sound better.

How about a little more guidance here.

How significant will the difference be (e.g., will the wife notice?)

And can someone recommend an economical but reasonable
amp choice?

Thanks.

cfrizz

You can get more for your money if you buy a used amp from Audiogon. I always recommend at least 200wpc, and getting a 5-7 channel amp for all speakers. It is not cheap, but you only have to do it once.

Brands to look at are Parasound, Sunfire, Rotel, Adcom, Nad, B & K, Outlaw.

nodeuces

Start small. Amp Right and Left. Get the Outlaw Monoblock amps. Then get the center amp. Then the Sub amp.....then go from there.

shimey013

I got a question...instead of making a new thread, since it falls under the same topic, figured I'd ask here...

Ok, i have the Onk 705 and well im getting my RTi8's supposively tomorrow....anyway, I know amping is usually a good idea, but how does it sound w/o an amp, i was planning on getting the speaker set up and then worrying about amping and whatever else....im really changing from my HTIB yamaha, I mean REALLY CHANGING!

HWNBOY

shimey013 ... let me know how your RTi8's go without "amping" when they come in tomorrow. what's your center by the way? I am kind of stuck since I have the Onk 605 and now scrambling on a new receiver now (no pre-am output).

shimey013

HWNBOY wrote: »

shimey013 ... let me know how your RTi8's go without "amping" when they come in tomorrow. what's your center by the way? I am kind of stuck since I have the Onk 605 and now scrambling on a new receiver now (no pre-am output).

Havent bought a center yet, im kinda piecing it together based upon my budget, i was looking at the CSi5 but im having a hard time finding it, i may drop the money on the Csi A6 or save some and pick up a CSi3...I havent make my decision...I have a couple weeks to make this decision since i can only get 1 speaker or paid per check

Right now im slowly tearing apart a Yamaha HTIB i bought like 5 yrs ago...so im replacing speakers as i can.

ryanjoachim

Here's my setup:

Front: RTi10's
Center: CSi3
Surround: WAS RTi10's (replacing them with FXiA4's)
Sub: DSW Pro 600
Receiver: Onkyo 605B

Amping the sub and RTi10's would definately get me more sound, but for my appartment this receiver works great.

cfrizz

Welcome Shimey.

It is not required that you get separate amplification. We are simply letting people know that their systems will sound significantly better with separate amplification. But at least if you do decide you want more power, you already have the preouts in the receiver to do so!

So by all means get everything setup & calibrated & enjoy.

shimey013 wrote: »

I got a question...instead of making a new thread, since it falls under the same topic, figured I'd ask here...

Ok, i have the Onk 705 and well im getting my RTi8's supposively tomorrow....anyway, I know amping is usually a good idea, but how does it sound w/o an amp, i was planning on getting the speaker set up and then worrying about amping and whatever else....im really changing from my HTIB yamaha, I mean REALLY CHANGING!

shimey013

HWNBOY wrote: »

shimey013 ... let me know how your RTi8's go without "amping" when they come in tomorrow. what's your center by the way? I am kind of stuck since I have the Onk 605 and now scrambling on a new receiver now (no pre-am output).

I got my RTi8s today and connected them to my 705 and WoW, with the size of the room they are in amping isnt needed...nice clear sound, I really notice a difference..so if your going to buy the 705, connect them see if they give you what you want (everyones preferences differs) and then decided if you need an amp or not. I really dont think im going to amp mine, doesnt sound like i need too.

SolidSqual

Amps to some people are like speaker wire to others.

MADGSF

I will say adding an amp was the one thing I did to my system that my wife commented on. Not that I make a lot of changes to my system but I digress.

Keep in mind I had a PC Ultra sub before the amp so bass was not a problem. However after I added the amp and set the RTi-10s for large/full range we sat down with her brother to demo the opening scene of Master and Commander. The bass impact was noticeable more visceral with the amped RTi-10s. To which my wife said, “it feels just like a movie theater!”. Made me very happy.

I would recommend the B&K product line. Basically because it’s the only external amp I have had, I think it sounds great and they can be had used for reasonable money.

Edit to add, I think you will notice an improvement at moderate volume levels as well. And I think the dialog from my center is also easier to understand at lower volumes.

kuntasensei

The lower -3dB point of the RTi10s is 35Hz. If you have a capable sub that will hit 20Hz, I recommend making use of the 705's very flexible independant crossovers and setting them to 50Hz (as polka is). This gives you about 1/3 octave above the -3dB point for a transition to the sub, will free up headroom in the receiver's amp (and let the subwoofer's amp take over the duties), crosses things over low enough that directionality isn't a problem, and should make them generally sound better.

The Audyssey setup in the 705 will align phase between the mains and speakers (and EQs in the time domain to prevent phase shifting and cancellation), so crossing them over should give you a good result. The only problem is that Onkyo's implementation of Audyssey sets any speaker with good output below 80Hz to Full Range. Chris from Audyssey has said over at AVSForum that they wanted Onkyo to use 40Hz as the threshold for full range, but that 80Hz is what they went with. All things considered, the RTi10s are NOT full range speakers, nor should they be run as such if you don't absolutely have to, regardless of whether you're using external amplification.