Wiring Questions.

timmythugs

Ok.
My system consists of the following:
Denon Avr887
polk rti12x2
polk csi5
polk fxi5x2
polk psw1000

I am wondering if 12 gauge wire is adequate? I am looking at raptor by metra because the price seems right except 10 gauge is not much of a difference in cost. Should I do 12 or 10 awg? Will I even notice a difference? Also I am not doing 7.1 so I am gonna bi-amp the rti12s. Will 200 watts each on my Denon even do these speakers justice? I know there would be better amplification options but, at this point this is what i am working with. Any comments would be appreciated.
P.S. Is there really ever a need to bi-amp a center speaker?

SEH

12 gauge should be sufficient unless the speakers are located in your neighbor's house. Is there really ever a need to bi-amp a center speaker? I would say the need (and the result) is the same as any of your other speakers, given that you're using one amp and going into passive crossovers. Pre-out to bigger amp would be the solution to your search for speaker justice.

timmythugs

Also. I was wondering what seperate power amp would be recommended on a modest budget. I here a lot about emotiva. I want good power but, at a good price point.

zombiemusic

I will say that in a suround sound the center channel usually handles a huge portion of what you hear. So bi-amp if you can.

wutadumsn23

As for speaker wire anything over 12 awg would probably be overkill unless like SEH put it, your speakers were in your neighbors house. As for getting 200W to your speakers from your Denon by Bi-Amoing, that isn't going to happen. Companies are always very "optomistic" with their watts per channel as it is and Bi-Amping with your AVR doesn't double the watts per channel as you would think it does. You can Bi-Amp them and see if you get results you are happy with. Some people say they get a noticable difference, and others say it isn't worth the extra speaker wire. try it and see if you like the results, and welcome to Club Polk.

timmythugs

I noticed that about bi-amping once I started to read other posts. How does a company rate there amps x7 channels? so if you never bi-amp or use surround rears what are those 2 channels doing when they are not in use? I know they overrate power output but, it just made since to seperate by bi-amping. I know 2 channel stereo receivers have a a/b selector and when hook up to 4 speakers it just divides the power up. But I think I am confused when it says there are 7 channels that can get a so called 100 watts each. Then instead of using surround rear you bi-amp how do you not get a power increase of some sort? When you bi-amp the rti 12s is one set of speaker wire going to the midrange and tweeter and the other going to the woofers?

timmythugs

If a avr total power is say 700 total watts,100x7 hypathetically speaking, and you only use 5 of those channels where is the other so called 200 watts going to if those channels are not in use? Is the power dispersed? I do know when a company rates there avr at 100 wpc realistically it is probably only about 50-60 rms. rms is the only power that really matters.

Eric W

timmythugs wrote: »

If a avr total power is say 700 total watts,100x7 hypathetically speaking, and you only use 5 of those channels where is the other so called 200 watts going to if those channels are not in use? Is the power dispersed? I do know when a company rates there avr at 100 wpc realistically it is probably only about 50-60 rms. rms is the only power that really matters.

It does redistribute a little bit but not 100%. The watts are "real" watts as long as it's from a reputable manufacturer (not like some of those car amps that are 5000 watts for $80...), as the FTC does have specific guidelines on amplifier power ratings. That's why you see specs like "all channels driven, at x frequency with x distortion." However- where the differences lie is peak power and current capability. Beefier amplifiers will have higher peak power and more current (as the impedance/load dips down, it's able to produce more wattage).

wutadumsn23

timmythugs wrote: »

When you bi-amp the rti 12s is one set of speaker wire going to the midrange and tweeter and the other going to the woofers?

Yes, typically you will use your Surround Back L/R for your woofers , and you will use your Front L/R for your tweeters. Your manual should have specifics for Bi-Amping, so it wouldn't hurt to double check there.

SEH

timmythugs wrote: »

If a avr total power is say 700 total watts,100x7 hypathetically speaking, and you only use 5 of those channels where is the other so called 200 watts going to if those channels are not in use?

The 5 channels. The number of channels being used will use the available power.

Besides that, you're still going into passive crossovers. Use 2 100 watt amps biamped or 1 100 watt amp wired normal, it's pretty much the same thing. Crossovers don't cut power in half, so when you split the crossovers and apply equal power to each side you haven't doubled the power to the driver.

timmythugs

that makes sense. so all bi-amping does in this case is not much except a little more seperation! With the hopes of a little more power.