LSi-7's and CSi-A4 System Setup

Sanchez99

I recently purchased the LSi-7's and CSi-A4 (I could not afford the LSi-C and the price on the CSi-A4 was too good to pass up) to start replacing my current speakers, the RM-6600's with the PSW-303. I still enjoy the 6600's, but it was time to upgrade. I have a Harman Kardon AVR-520 that I am also looking to upgrade when I get the money, as well as my surround channels.
Here are my questions:

1) Can the HK AVR-520 handle the LSi-7's in surround and two-channel stereo (basically will this fry my reciever)? I have used it in both modes and they sound great, but I'm just starting to really learn about all of this, so I wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong.

2) The recievers I am looking at are the Onkyo 706 or the 806, does anyone have any other preferences or ideas that I could test out (I have looked at Yamaha and Denon, but the prices aren't as good)? I have read some terrible things about the HK AVR 354 on other forums that have deterred me from looking into that model. Also will the Onkyo 706 or 806 be enough my current setup?

3)I admittedly have to read more on Amps and understand more about them and what I need, but if anyone had any reasonably priced (below $500) recommendations I would appreciate it. If someone could direct me to a thread about amps and power and all that, I would appreciate it, I'm having trouble finding a good explanation of everything.

Any help is greatly appreciated on any one of these questions and requests.

leroyjr1

You should try to match the fronts and center channel speakers. The LSI 7's are the easiest of the series to push. Don't know too much about that model receiver you have but if it can handle 4ohm loads them you'll get by until you get an external amp which is recommended.

Both the Onkyo 706/806 and HK354 are all good receivers with pre-outs so later down the road you can add a external amp.

Erik Tracy

Just stirring the pot....

I had a pair of LSi7s for a bit along with a CSi3 center - and RTi4s as rears.

I am not an audiophile - I may be regarded as tone deaf and scoffed by others more experienced - but... I did not notice any glaring or jarring distractions when listening to multichannel programming (music and movies) with this setup.

Just be sure to run whatever auto-calibration you have on the HK - and give it a whirl. You can always change the center if you don't like it later.

I would advocate getting an external amp to drive the LSi7s - I personally found that they needed some 'power prodding' to 'wake up' - which is when they really show their stuff.

But - that's just me.

cfrizz

This is true with every speaker, but ESPECIALLY with LSI's.

People on here keep saying that they can be played with a reciever just fine, but these are 4ohm speakers just like the rest of the series.

If not Polk would have listed them differently.

Polk listed them that way because you found out "that they needed some 'power prodding' to 'wake up' - which is when they really show their stuff."

Erik Tracy wrote: »

I would advocate getting an external amp to drive the LSi7s - I personally found that they needed some 'power prodding' to 'wake up' - which is when they really show their stuff.

But - that's just me.