How much power does Monitor 60 needs?

nardox

How many watts per channel(minimum) do I need for Monitor 60 speakers from the receiver?

On Newegg the power rating is rated from 20w-200w, and the receivers I'm looking at are nowhere near 200w. (Pioneer VSX-819H 110w/channel and Harman Kardon AVR 247, 50w/channel)

Would the 50w/110w per channel cause any problem or damage to the Monitor 60/receiver even if I don't turn up the volume that much? (Sorry if these questions are really stupid, this is my first DIY system )

danger boy

most all Polk Audio speakers are efficient... so they can be use with most all receivers... you do not need to match the receivers watts to the speakers watts handling. you'll be fine.

to up the quality of your sound though.. an external amp is highly suggested... emphasis on suggested.. not required.

apphd

You will be ok with the Pioneer. But as db said all speakers benefit from more power. But keep in mind "power" does not equate to loudness as much as most people think. Good power is also not = to watts alone but also dependent on what amount of current the amp can also supply.

Most cases of amp/AVR induced speaker damage come from too little power to drive a speaker, causing the user to crank up the volume to a point the amp sends clipped signals.

danz1906

Welcome to the Club!

McLoki

Welcome to the club.

The monitor series will perform well with most recievers and you should be fine with what you have.

That being said, When speakers blow - it is usually from not enough power rather than to much. (The request for more volume exceeds the amplifiers ability to deliver it.) You can get a little more volume by adding a bigger amplifier, but if it just does not go loud enough for you - your best bet is usually looking for a more efficient speaker.

NJPOLKER

Lasareath wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk Nardox!!!

Usually damage occurs when you turn your volume knob past 7 O'clock

If the volume is too low for you at 7 O'Clock then you need bigger speakers and external amps.

Lasareath

Sal,
7 O'clock ?????????????????

nguyendot

Lasareath wrote: »

Welcome to Club Polk Nardox!!!

Usually damage occurs when you turn your volume knob past 7 O'clock

If the volume is too low for you at 7 O'Clock then you need bigger speakers and external amps.

Lasareath

Please tell me you mean 12 o'clock?

7 o'clock on most amps is the farthest down you can turn an amp. I would hope it's too low at that setting, as it would mean zero output.

MrGlobe

Hello,

as many have said before.... WELCOME!

I have both the 60s and the 70s. And I also have an H/K AVR 140 (40w/pc) so it has even less power (and no pre outs) than the H/K receiver you are looking at.

What you need to know (and I didnt see anyone else mention this) is that Harman Kardon receivers use very conservative power ratings. The 50w per channel the H/K produces may be just as much power as the pioneer. Not only that, But H/K receivers are typically very clean power.

When using the Harman Kardon to power my Monitor 60s (which I did for ~4 months) I had very good results. The speakers sounded great, and NEVER sounded like they weren't getting enough power. I listened to them at very loud settings often and was very pleased with the outcome. No ear fatigue, no clipping, etc. I am sure you would be more than fine with either of those receivers powering the 60s. They are an efficient speaker.

That being said, there is a noticeable improvement when going from the 60s to the 70s. The 70s have larger (and more) drivers and they use a 1" tweet instead of a 3/4" tweet. The sound is much larger, and they have a wider soundstage.

I would highly recommend all of the things you are looking at. I have been extremely pleased with the performance of both my Monitor series speakers as well as my Harmon Kardon equiptment.

Thanks!

Let me know if you have ANY questions.

McLoki

nguyendot wrote: »

Please tell me you mean 12 o'clock?

7 o'clock on most amps is the farthest down you can turn an amp. I would hope it's too low at that setting, as it would mean zero output.

With the assumption that the volume knob is at its lowest setting at 7:00 and at its highest setting around 5:00. I would say if you feel the need to go much over 12:00 with any regularity (or much over 1:00 - 2:00 period), you should be looking to change something in your system.

danger boy

each receiver/power amp is different of course on o'clock settings for volume.. on my two ch rig... 9 or 10 o'clock is plenty loud.. on my home theater system I raise the volume to -15 to get the same loudness.