How many watts do I need for ideal sound with Polk Monitor 70 speakers?

wesouth

I have just bought a Onkyo TX-SR707 reciever. It is 100 watts X 7.2. I have (4) Monitor 70 speakers and CS2 Center speaker with PSW505 subwoofer. Is this going to be enough watts to get optimal performance and best tone from these speakers?

cnh

Welcome to the Club..wesouth.

And yes, I'm temporarily back 'guys'. Have been in Beijing for 2 months with Chinese filters blocking my forum access, if you can believe that. I am still in China but I think I have a work-around...missed everyone!

Now to your question...an Onkyo 707 is a good choice for that speaker set. Plenty of power for it...Ms are very efficient. I've run them with an Onkyo 605, Denon 110 W AVR and an Onkyo 805 (130w)....

And I've also hooked them up to an Adcom 555...which is a 200 watt x 2 amp. The Adcom sounded the best but the M70s sound OK at lower power for HT....with a good power amp they sound their best.

Fortunately the 707 has pre-outs for a power amp so you can add one if you wish in the future. But it is NOT absolutely necessary...

Hope this helps!

cnh

obieone

Welcome to Club Polk.
You have a nice set-up, but you might want to look at an external amp., based on your listening habits. IF you listen to music in 2 channel mode, at a loud level, then I'd suggest a 2 ch. amp rated at 200 watts/ ch.
If you listen to multi-ch. sources at loud levels, then 5 channel, same rating.

wutadumsn23

I agree with the guys on this one, and WELCOME BACK CNH!! I got a PM about you the other day asking if you were still alive, lol. Back on topic, I have Monitor 70's as my fronts and I power them with an Onkyo 806, match made in heaven, lol. Your 707 will get the job done just fine. You may want to add an external amp down the road, but as mentioned it is not a must. Welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

Krazyz1

My personal policy regardless of speaker is 100wrms or don't even bother. Less than 100 just stay home!

kevon27

Save and get the Emotiva XPA-5.. Those receivers are really weak especially when running more than 2 channel together.

I have the T90e's aka monitor 60 powered by a Sony STR-DG820 (5.1 channels = <35wpc). In 2 channel direct mode, the speakers sound good (getting the most power). But if I invoke the 2.1 or go to 5.1 settings, I have to crank the volume way up.

My receiver does not have pre-out. So I'm saving for a Marantz SR 6003 or SR 8002 (both used). These will give be a temporary power boost until, next year. That's when I may spring for a Emo XPA-5.

wesouth

I like HiFi audio listening mainly but also want to use as my home theater speakers. I selected the Monitor 70s front and rear because I wanted a nice audio system for Music. If anyone has any ideas on a really great way to set up or some ideas let me know what works. Thanks

cfrizz

Welcome to CP Wesouth.

There are lots of good amp brands out there & you can get even more for your money if you purchase used from Audiogon.

Take a look at Outlaw, Emotiva, Parasound, Sunfire, B & K, Rotel, Nad, Adcom.

I always recommend at least 200wpc. This seems to be the point where just about everyone can hear a clear & distinct improvment.

Save up for a 5-7 channel amp to power all of your speakers & be done with this upgrade once & for all.

TroyD

Quality over quantity......

50wpc with a couple of db's of headroom and you are in the clear in most applications.

That's a fact, Jack.

That said, there is nothing wrong with more power, all things being equal. The REAL difference between a 100wpc amp and a 200 wpc amp? 3db. So, don't be afraid of a solid, albeit lower powered, amp.

BDT

broncsrule21@

Maybe look into a Emotiva UPA-2. I bought one for a still in progress , moddest 2 channel set up (office). While I am still finding some of the other components, I stuck it into my HT set-up. My Denon is rated at 115 wpc (I think) and the difference in soundstage, clarity, and bass response is very noticeable. My RTi10s have never sounded this good. I know it doesn't follow the 200wpc rule but I was shocked by the difference. I haven't listened to the Monitor series but it's just an idea......