Polk Monitor 5jr power handling

Zitro
Zitro Posts: 864
edited March 2010 in Speakers
Hey guys, i wanted to set up a vintage rig since I have a pair of Monitor 5jr's laying around that I still like very much, and I remember being very fond of my Dads vintage Sansui. Well, I found a vintage Yamaha CR-640 (35wpc) receiver for $40 on CL in perfect condition, and a Sansui G-9700 for $100 in excellent condition also. The G-9700 is the better deal (they go for about $300-400 consistently on ebay, regardless of condition) but it puts out 200wpc, and I feel like the Monitors won't handle all that juice. What do you guys think?

I shouldn't be spending $100 on anything right now, but...ya know...;)
- Jeremy

Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
Post edited by Zitro on
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Comments

  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2010
    Vintage Monitors are rated for anywhere from 0-20,000 watts.



    Seriously, there is no such thing as overpowering a speaker. You're more likely to damage a speaker with too little power than too much power.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    Well the system will be in the living room, where I can crank it a bit louder than my bedroom, so I was trying to keep that in mind...the room is 18x20, so it needs to be turned up to really fill with sound. I'm still a bit confused over this wattage and speakers thing, because people say you can't have too many watts, but why is there a top end to the power handling range? Also, I've heard most of the time your speakers are using 1 watt to play at adequate levels...how so if they are supposed to be getting 50, 100, 200 wpc etc rms and why would you need so much power if this is true? I feel so lost!!

    Anyways, I only will get that Sansui if it will not hurt my Polks at moderate levels, given their (assumed) meager power handling due to size and age.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    If it's clean power, it doesn't really matter. Power doesn't kill speakers, distortion does.

    Now, i'm not saying to go get some 1000wpc pro amps or anything, but that Sansui is in no danger of frying your M5s due to too much power. :)

    Got me? ;)

    As for the 1w vs. 50rms. You're looking at it backwards. They're only supposed to be getting the power that you dictate with the volume knob combined with the signal generated off your source. The actual wattage that the speakers see is going to vary greatly at all times. And that's where the extra wattage comes in handy. That way you CAN go from needing 1w to 200w quickly, and without distortion.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    I think I got you lol Sansui = gooooood ;)

    My Dad has this same unit, and I remember being very young, maybe 5 or 6, and he had it in the living room. It filled the entire house up with sound without seeming like it was breaking a sweat. It's in the garage now, due to the WAF lol.

    Thanks for the info. So then, as far as rms ratings go: is this the watts it can put out on a continual basis, but it can alway put out less continually depending on power demand?

    I wish I could feed the LSi7's with it if I do get it, but it was never rated for 4 ohms and I've heard of people frying the outputs of these vintage receivers if they aren't 4 ohms rated and they use 4 ohm speakers. Not willing to risk it.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,537
    edited March 2010
    I ran Monitor 5jr+'s on a 215 watt/rms Soundcraftsmen PM-840 amp for 2 years. They sang like birds....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    Zitro wrote: »
    I think I got you lol Sansui = gooooood ;)

    My Dad has this same unit, and I remember being very young, maybe 5 or 6, and he had it in the living room. It filled the entire house up with sound without seeming like it was breaking a sweat. It's in the garage now, due to the WAF lol.

    Thanks for the info. So then, as far as rms ratings go: is this the watts it can put out on a continual basis, but it can alway put out less continually depending on power demand?

    Bingo! Amps put out variable power depending on demand at that very instant. They don't just continually push their RMS rating to your speakers at all times.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    concealer404 wrote: »
    Bingo! Amps put out variable power depending on demand at that very instant. They don't just continually push their RMS rating to your speakers at all times.

    Thanks! This just made my decision; tomorrow, I will be a proud owner of a beautiful piece of vintage audio engineering :D

    You in particular always seem to have answers when I have questions, so thanks a lot for helping me out! :cool:
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    It's probably because you tend to ask easy questions. ;) (No offense meant, i'm just not real smart :D)

    Post pics of the Sansui when you get it!
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    concealer404 wrote: »
    It's probably because you tend to ask easy questions. ;) (No offense meant, i'm just not real smart :D)

    Post pics of the Sansui when you get it!

    Haha, non-taken. I am still new to this stuff, but I'm learning. Pics are definitely to come, once I'm done just staring at it :)
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • maxchau
    maxchau Posts: 138
    edited March 2010
    5 Jr. does not handle high power well...
    Abbas Tube USB-SPDIF Converter with tube clocksAbbas V2 SE Tube DACAltmann Attraction DACNon-Pre passive preampYamaha M2 AmplifierDIY TPA3255 Mono Amps6L6 Williamson amplifier42 SET amp6V6 SET ampMcIntosh XRT18 speakersApogee Centaur MinorPioneer PAX A30 speakers
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    maxchau wrote: »
    5 Jr. does not handle high power well...

    Please elaborate. :) It would be nice to see you come back into this thread and share your personal experiences on the matter. ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2010
    maxchau wrote: »
    5 Jr. does not handle high power well...

    What?
    concealer404 wrote: »
    Please elaborate. :) It would be nice to see you come back into this thread and share your personal experiences on the matter. ;)

    +1 The vintage Monitors love good clean power.





    The the OP-Sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on it. It didn't make sense to me when I first got into this hobby either.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,537
    edited March 2010
    I rocked mine real hard, I never heard any compression or strain.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2010
    maxchau wrote: »
    5 Jr. does not handle high power well...

    Dibs. One more worthless for till he hits the FM.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2010
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Dibs. One more worthless for till he hits the FM.


    He's actually been here since Dec. 2008.;)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    He's actually been here since Dec. 2008.;)

    Yeah, but take a look at the post history. ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    Are the Monitors 8 ohms like I hope they are?
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2010
    Zitro wrote: »
    Are the Monitors 8 ohms like I hope they are?

    Yes, though some of them are really more like 6 ohms nominal. You'll be just fine running them off of an 8 ohm amp though.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    Ok, cuz this Sansui is only rated for 8 ohm and I'd really hate to spend $100 just to fry the outputs on it. Thanks.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    Wow, I would own the ONE vintage monitor that the specs aren't listed for on Polk's website...great...just want to be sure of the ohms, darnit! That Yamaha CR-640 is rated for both 4 and 8 ohms, so is a safe bet, but I like the Sansui so much more...
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    It'll be fine man, i promise. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited March 2010
    isnt this it here. or is there a difference b/c of the "+"
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/monitor5jr/
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    coolsax wrote: »
    isnt this it here. or is there a difference b/c of the "+"
    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/monitor5jr/

    The 5jr+ has a passive radiator; my 5jr does not. I also have the SL2000 tweeter and these have the SL2500, and I don't know if that changed the nominal impedance at all.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,826
    edited March 2010
    fair enough.. thats why i asked :)
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    coolsax wrote: »
    fair enough.. thats why i asked :)

    Thanks for looking though ;)

    Not sure if I'm going to get the Sansui anyways, I have been reading on AK that though powerful, this was not the most well-built of receivers and it is expensive to fix when broken. I don't have money to spend if something were to break on that sucker. Not to mention there is a lot of "workbench" time with vintage units, and I have neither the time nor knowledge for this. I suppose I should do the smart thing and focus on my main rig.
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • Zitro
    Zitro Posts: 864
    edited March 2010
    Bought the Sansui; she's a beauty. Will post pics tomorrow, sleep time now. I just spent the last 2 hours listening to her lol. I think I'm gonna like this vintage game...
    - Jeremy

    Amps: Jolida FX-10, NAD 3045, NAD C320BEE, Sansui G-9700
    Speakers: Polk Monitor 7A's, KEF Reference 104aB
    Sources: ProJect Debut Carbon, Sonos streaming FLAC
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2010
    Congrats on your new gear.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited March 2010
    Zitro wrote: »
    The 5jr+ has a passive radiator; my 5jr does not. I also have the SL2000 tweeter and these have the SL2500, and I don't know if that changed the nominal impedance at all.


    Just a note, the addition of the Passive Radiator isn't what makes a 5Jr+ a "+". There were 5Jr's(no +), that also had PR's. Yours were the earlier production 5Jr's, before they added the PR. Some of the 5Jr's(both with and without the PR's) were also equipped with Peerless tweets.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wutadumsn23
    wutadumsn23 Posts: 3,702
    edited March 2010
    Wow, that is a buch of mumbo jumbo Curt, lol. It made my eyes hurt looking at it, you are def. a smarter man than me, lol.

    -Jeff
    HT Rig
    Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
    Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
    Center- Polk Audio CS2
    Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's :D
    Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
    Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
    T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
    Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3


    2 CH rig (in progress)
    Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:

    It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. :D
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