Polk?

[DARKHAVEN]

VicAjax - No disrespect taken, and I understand what you are saying. However, I've run LSi9s on a 75w Denon and did NOT get the quality of sound I expected, especially when compared to biamping them at 200wpc (also on a Denon). Don't get me wrong, they are certainly playable at 85w, but it is my opinion that they lacked a bit of control, tightness and vibrancy at that level.

It is also my opinion (take it for what it's worth) that the RTi series is both a better mate and better value when paired with his Yamaha RX-770.

Respectfully,
Tim

[MatsudaMan]

Just because your amp is 85 watts doesn't mean it can handle a speaker with low impedance. I've seen a yamaha 100 watt amp literally fry when trying to drive a pair of Magnepans. I was at this high end audio store and this guy who totally didn't know anything was pissed because the store owner told him that is Yamaha amp couldn't drive the Maggies that he wanted. He later brought over his prized 400 dollar amp and was horrified when it literally started to smoke when driving the Maggies - it was actually really funny, cause the guy was all about his Yamaha with 100 watts. 100 watts, yeah right, more like 100 watts peak under ideal conditions. Your little Yamaha just doesn't have robust enough power supply to give a true 85 watts continuous under extreme loads - sorry.

Even a little nad 50 watt amp would actually drive those Polks better. It's sad but oh so true.

[spacemanspliff]

lol

Truly spoken. Most receivers are overblown by 100% in their specs.

Emotiva, Parasound, NAD, av123 X-Series(soon, they will own) are all inexpensive amps which are rated accurately or honestly.

[proglife]

i have a pair of LSi15's on Audiogon for pretty cheap (or for trade). If you're in the Annapolis/Baltimore/DC area and are interested, let me know.

Great speakers, but my new 10x10 room is way too small for 'em.

[obobskivich]

ok, first of all, when did we mention driving any low impedance speakers? most of whats been suggested (haven't really looked at the av123's yet, will try to track them down though) is all 8 ohms, which is what this amp is rated for, and it will handle 2 and 4 ohm loads quite nicely (from what i've heard)

i know, its the elitist perogative to hate anything that isn't obscure (sorry, i just have to say it, and i know, you'll all be riding me for "worshipping my piece of crap yamaha"), honestly the box can pull enough current at the wall to easily handle 50wpc on both channels, if not more (granted i've never put it this high), its currently handling a pair of 120wpc rated technics speakers (again, i'm expecting flames, because they aren't obscure enough to be audiophile grade) and it'll easily blow my ears and room apart before it'll blow the amplifier or speakers apart

i'm not saying this reciever is by any means top of the line, nor am I saying there isn't better, however it isn't some $299 off the shelf special that claims 110wpc x7 and can only draw 400w at the wall, yamaha's claim is 125wpc all channels driven (so two) with no issues, and from everything i've found outside of yamaha's literature, 85wpc is considered its maximum effective output into an 8ohm load

regardless of any of that, i'm not even talking about running 2ohm or 4ohm speakers off of this (if the LSi's are 4 ohm, then those are probably the only ones being talked about as low impedance, honestly i'm not looking at the LSi's though (since I can't find any to audition, at any store within ~45 minutes of me)) i'm talking about running 8 ohm speakers off of this, which its been doing faithfully for its entire lifetime)

i know, i'm gonna get backlash for this, i know, you're gonna say i'm a backwards, no-nothing tool who believes what manufacturers say, but honestly, i'm just sick of the whole audiophile mantra that only obscure, expensive garbage is the way to get "true" sound (and in reality most of it is so colored and distorted compared to what "true" sound actually is)

as far as recievers being over-rated, i don't deny it, a lot of them are, especially nowadays, but i've got no reason to believe this amplifier will "instantly explode if i connect any speakers", especially because someone doesn't like its manufacturer, or has seen a different model (a cheaper model, probably, who can say though) from the same brand explode under (most likely) extreme loading conditions

if you could scientifically show me, and i dont mean some 6moons-style bull, that my exact model of equipment will be 100% incapable of driving any speakers you want to talk about, and will instantly explode, i'd believe it, no questions asked, but if its just "oh yeah some guy with a yamaha had his amp explode driving this one pair of speakers, it started smoking, therefore all yamaha is a piece of ****", thats like saying because i know someone who knows someone who owned a given model of car, and they had trouble with that car, i should avoid that entire marquee (and i'm sure you'll probably agree with this logic too, if I put out a particular brand, lets say Ford)

and this isn't really that i've taken any offense (i haven't, honestly), its that i'm sick of the audiophile mantra towards HT equipment, that was my original aversion to making this thread, but people started suggesting things that were A) within a reasonable price range (i figured the first few suggestions would tell me to "grow up and get a real soundsystem, like a sonus faber") and B) reasonably thought out, however now its just degraded to the "audiophile only" logic, so i think we're done here.

[spacemanspliff]

expensive? dude I ride the cheap train too. I still KNOW that it is better to have two SS monoblocks than a receiver and I know where to get a pair for $250 shipped. I just do not have the $$ lol.

Ok, here is another hook up for you. I recently found these local

Vintage Polk Audio Speakers: SDA SRS 2

and as a result, I found the polk audio forums. nice place.

Club Polk - Powered by vBulletin

I am on the side of the bang for the buck guys, not snobs. I am a poor man with all my $$ in long term investments. Riding a scooter ffs and I am 6' 3"!! lol

In other words, trust me, I want the best for almost free too.

[DARKHAVEN]

obobskivich: Don't get to riled up by these folks. You have to understand, this is largely an audiophile forum, so take it for what it's worth. I, however, am among those of a champagne-taste-on-a-beer-budget. Look, I'm not knocking the Yamaha, my friend has a Yamaha receiver that powers his large Klipsch home theater with ease and control. Please ignore those who have diverged in this thread, they lost the plot. I think if you consider my earlier post, you will have an answer to your question. I currently run a very nice Polk setup (as described before) with a Denon AVR-2308 which is 100w x 7 and it runs the RTi Polks wonderfully. I also have a generic Sony 100w stereo receiver that runs two RTI6s perfectly. In summation, I recommend the Polk RTi series very highly for a fantastic speaker at a good price (if you shop around). Your Yamaha will work well with it. If you have any more questions about the speakers or setup, feel free to PM me. I hope this helps.

[obobskivich]

yeah i know monoblocks would be better, this system also has to move every ~6 months as I move every 6 months, and monoblocks is more weight and size (and ironically i'm looking at floorstanders), but i also know that a reciever is more than good enough

@ dark
how do you feel about the RTi4's for the complete system? (as LCR + surrounds, and yes, with a sub, like one of the smaller PSWs, and thats right, i do surround on a stereo reciever (because its only the primary amplification))

RTi4 Product Page : High performance bookshelf/on-wall loudspeaker. : Polk Audio

these

[DARKHAVEN]

The RTi4s are capable little speakers, to be sure. My father has a theater setup with RTi4 fronts mated to FXi3s, a CSi5 (the all important center channel...), and PSW450s. It sounds nice. As far as your proposed setup is concerned, I would say the RTi4s are just fine, but keep this in mind. Surround placement with a directional speaker like the RTi4 can be a bit tricky to get immersive surround. I recommend getting the FXi3 dipole/bipole speakers to mate with your RTi4s. The are acoustically match for the RTi series and will great a more omnidirectional sound from the back. The proper center channel for your setup is the CSi3, but I personally LOVE the CSi5, if you have the room. It's an amazing center channel for the price, but it is a BEHEMOTH! Any of the polk subs will do, I guess, but the lower series is a bit anemic as far as I'm concerned. The PSW350 and up are where you should shoot for, depending on the size of your room and placement.

[spacemanspliff]

I just got these

Vintage Polk Audio Speakers: SDA SRS 2

INSANE!! Wall of sound indeed. lol