more power versus better speakers?

dgosier

I had been bumping along with an Onkyo receiver (7.1, rated at 130 per channel). I have hooked in parallel on each front channel a Polk TSi 200 and a Monitor 40. I have a Polk CSi 6 in the center, and Tsi 100's and Definitive Technology bipolars for the side and rear surround respectively.

Deciding to heed the advice about the benefits of more power, I have purchased the follolwing power amps: 1) an Emotiva XP-3 for the front channels, giving me 400 watts per channel, 2) an Audiosource 300 power amp bridged to the center channel, giving me 435 watts, and 3) audiosource amps 200 to each of the side and rear surrounds, giving me 125 watts per channel.
I also have a Definitive Technology subwoofer powered by a 300 watt amp, giving me strong bass response down to 20 cycles.

The difference in sound quality, dynamism and greater detail in the music has been astonishing. I have found that when you run a lot of power through medium grade speakers, they sound really good.

NOW: the question is this: If I upgrade to Polk LSi 9's, an LSiC and the LSi surrounds, will there be a further noticeable increase in sound quality? Please remember that the LSi's are less efficient.

I can't find this question dealt with on the web. To reiterate: if you run a lot of power through decent middle-of-the-road speakers, are you going to realize most of the increase in sound quality without upgrading to better speakers?

wutadumsn23

IMHO, you will not only notice a difference, but the amps with the LSi's is almost a must to operate at their potential. The Onkyo won't be able to drive them well, mind you they are 4 ohm speakers. The LSi's will sound much better than the "middle of the line speakers" you have now, if properly powered.

-Jeff

thuffman03

Not sure how much of an upgrade in sound quality the LSi are to the RTi but you made the right move in upgrading the amps. If you are not sending good power to the speakers I don't care what speakers you have they will not sound good.

BB3

thuffman03 wrote: »

Not sure how much of an upgrade in sound quality the LSi are to the RTi but you made the right move in upgrading the amps. If you are not sending good power to the speakers I don't care what speakers you have they will not sound good.

Well stated Mr.thuffman03.----BB3

woodsman10b

thuffman03 wrote: »

Not sure how much of an upgrade in sound quality the LSi are to the RTi but you made the right move in upgrading the amps. If you are not sending good power to the speakers I don't care what speakers you have they will not sound good.

So what your saying is the only good power comes from power amps and that is the only way a speaker will sound good? If this is what you are saying I totally disagree. Ive had many receivers that sounded great with good speakers, and ive also had many great speakers that sounded great with power only coming from a receiver. Granted they will always sound better with a good power amp, but they can still sound good being powered by a good receiver. I never owned a power amp until the late 90's, and before then I only powered my speakers with receivers and was never disatisfied. Just my opinion

concealer404

woodsman10b wrote: »

So what your saying is the only good power comes from power amps and that is the only way a speaker will sound good? If this is what you are saying I totally disagree. Ive had many receivers that sounded great with good speakers, and ive also had many great speakers that sounded great with power only coming from a receiver. Granted they will always sound better with a good power amp, but they can still sound good being powered by a good receiver. I never owned a power amp until the late 90's, and before then I only powered my speakers with receivers and was never disatisfied. Just my opinion

I think he's more saying that good speakers with crappy power will sound like crap.

Most receivers that you and i would be interested in may have "decent" power, and likely not "crappy."

My speakers sound good on everything that i've cared to try them on.

But they sound WAY better on my Oinker amp than they do with my Dynaco SCA-80Q, for example.

cfrizz

Welcome Dgo. The LSI's are Polks top of the line speakers & they NEED more power to operate to their full potential.

They also sound totally different from all the other Polk lines. They do both music & movies well, and I think you would love them once you heard them.

At least you have the power already in place to run them, which is more than most people who get them have, then find out on here that they have to spend more money to get them to sound the way they should.

MSALLA

Properly powerd Lsi's are far better then any other polk speaker.

cnh

Yes! LSis will sound fuller, richer, more detailed and have a better sound stage and better imaging than the entry line Ms or TSis!! WITH GOOD AMPLIFICATION, that is!

And certainly M towers and TSi towers sound better with 200 or more watts/channel of GOOD clean power.

I'm not that sure about the smaller....Tsi100s and 200s?

And, WELCOME TO CLUB POLK!!!

cnh