LSi9 and Onkyo TX-SR 875 calibration

[kirko]

Hello all,
This is my first post with a question. Before I posted, I tried to use the Search tool to find an answer but couldn't find anything specific.

I just recently connected all of my components and am trying to figure out if I should trust Onkyo 875 with its automated calibration and not tweak any settings afterwards. I listed all of my components in my sig (subs are connected using a Y cable, for now at least).
Is there any "improvement" setting that should be changed after the auto calibration?
For instance:

Under Speaker Setup -> Speaker Settings:
- Speaker impendence = 6ohms (which I'm pretty sure is correct)

Under Speaker Setup -> Speaker Config:
- All speakers = "Full Band"
- DoubleBass = "On", but I've been told by SVS (previous sub) rep that I should change all speakers to 80Hz after the calibration.
- LPF of LFE = 100Hz

Under Speaker Setup -> THX Audio Setup:
- THX Subwoofer = "No" (which I think is correct, but not sure)

Under Audio Adjust -> Tone Control:
- All speakers = "0dB"

Under Audio Adjust -> LFE Level:
- All formats = "0dB"

I would really appreciate any inputs. I've been searching various forums and none have any specific information for Polks. I think that Onkyo 805 setting would be equivalent for 875, so any input from 805 owners is nice too.
Thank you.

[suprafantx]

There are few things need to be corrected.

1)Speaker impedence = 4 ohm
2)All speakers cross frequency = 80 hz if you have 2 subs. Only set full band when you do not have sub or your front speakers are full range speakers
3)LPF or LFE start at 80hz then increase every 10 Hz untill you are happy with the bass (this depend on your room, your taste of bass, my case I set at 80 Hz)

You are right about 805 and 875. I experienced both and they have the same settings and produce similar sound except 875 has more power. They use the same operating manual.

[McLoki]

Under Speaker Setup -> Speaker Settings:
- Speaker impendence = Should be 4 ohms. If 6 is as low as is offered, you may have some problems down the road.

Under Speaker Setup -> Speaker Config:
- All speakers = Should be set to small (crossover point of 80 is a good starting place)
- DoubleBass = Set this to off.
- LPF of LFE = 80hz (once again at least start there and then move up or down to taste)

Under Speaker Setup -> THX Audio Setup:
- THX Subwoofer = You will be fine either way to be honest.

Under Audio Adjust -> Tone Control:
- All speakers = Impossible to say from here - need a SPL meter (usually from radio shack) to tell what to change each speaker to. It would be VERY surprising if they were all the same though)

Under Audio Adjust -> LFE Level:
- All formats = Not sure what this setting adjusts....

[megasat16]

I haven't used Onkyo 805 and 875 before but I've heard the older generation of the 805 sends out sparks, smokes and even fire in some owners' homes. I am not sure what caused this but 805 was a very popular model and I was very tempted to get one.

But after much reading about it's running too hot and a potential fire threat, I went to a different brand.

I don't know if there's any truth in it about the 805 series or even the case with the 875 series but just passing along what I've heard and I am not in anyway claiming such stories are true. I just want to make sure you aware of these in case you are hooking it up with the demanding speakers (4 Ohms or less) such as LSi series.

[kirko]

Thanks everyone!
Regarding the sparks/fire... I've been using 875 for well over a year now and it's working just fine. I am not sure what the definition of "overheating" is though. In my case, it's in an enclosed rack (with open front) with about 6-7" of open space on the top for ventilation. I also drilled as many 1" holes in the back cover as I could. Anyways, the top grill does get hot to a touch, but it may be because there are internal fans (I've heard there are 2) blowing the hot air out. I am planning to buy some sort of quite fans for better ventilation.

Thanks again guys.

[kuntasensei]

I agree with everything McLoki said, except LPF of LFE. Set it to 120Hz so you're letting the full bandwidth of the LFE channel reach your subwoofers. It won't cause any localization issues because it has nothing to do with redirected bass from the other channels.

[kirko]

Under Speaker Setup -> Speaker Settings:
- Speaker impendence = Should be 4 ohms. If 6 is as low as is offered, you may have some problems down the road.

Under Speaker Setup -> Speaker Config:
- All speakers = Should be set to small (crossover point of 80 is a good starting place)
- DoubleBass = Set this to off.
- LPF of LFE = 80hz (once again at least start there and then move up or down to taste)

Under Speaker Setup -> THX Audio Setup:
- THX Subwoofer = You will be fine either way to be honest.

Under Audio Adjust -> Tone Control:
- All speakers = Impossible to say from here - need a SPL meter (usually from radio shack) to tell what to change each speaker to. It would be VERY surprising if they were all the same though)

Under Audio Adjust -> LFE Level:
- All formats = Not sure what this setting adjusts....

Thanks McLoki,
I've changed everything as suggested, but I am just curious, what kind of problems can 6 ohms cause down the road? Is 4 ohms strictly required for LSi9?

Thanks

[McLoki]

What the switch will do is limit the current available to the speaker to keep the amp running ok.

Think of it this way -
The amp in your avr is you on top of a hill.
The ohm load of your speaker is how steep the hill is (lower ohm rating = a steeper incline)
the music playing is you running down the hill.
The current (and watts) available is how fast you are running.

You can run across a flat surface pretty well and even down a moderate incline at almost any speed. As the hill gets more steep, you start getting a little out of control and have to slow down or if it gets to steep - you start to lose your balance completely and fall (for this example - excessive heat build up, clipping, etc.....)

Anyway - A more heavy duty amp can run at full speed on a steeper hill.

In many recievers, there is a switch you can set that limits how fast you run. (limits the current and the watts) With that limit in place, you can run down steeper hills, but can only go so fast....

With you setting your switch to 6 ohms (since there is no 4 ohm setting) you are putting a limit on your AVR for how fast you can run, but it may still be to fast for the hill you are running on. (speaker you are driving) This can result in excessive heat buildup and the amp going into a shutdown of some sort (perhaps due to heat, perhaps due to excessive current demand that cannot be fulfilled).

You may be fine running at lower volumes, but then again - you may not. It may work great for you or it could shut off in the middle of a demo. There is no way to tell since your AVR is not made to run with the speakers that you have.....

I hope that wasn't to confusing....

Michael

[Kex]

Thanks McLoki,
I've changed everything as suggested, but I am just curious, what kind of problems can 6 ohms cause down the road? Is 4 ohms strictly required for LSi9?

Thanks
I read just recently that the 875 has a four ohm setting. It's probably still not enough to be completely safe with LSi speakers, but it would be better than leaving it set at 6 ohms. You may be ok with the LSi9 (rather than the LSi15 or LSi25) at the 4 ohm setting, but if the receiver ever goes into protection mode, you should envisage either changing it for a four ohm stable receiver, or adding an external amplifier. To be honest, you should probably be considering your options already, even if it has not yet gone into protection.

[kirko]

Thanks,
I did change it to 4 ohms as soon as people here mentioned it.
I am also planning to buy amps in the near future, I just don't have the $ to spend now.
What kind of amps would be a good choice? I am planning to buy 3 amps for the front speakers first and then the other 2. Around $1.2K.

[Hilbert]

Until the end of the year, for $1.3K you could get an Emotiva XPA-2 for the fronts, and an XPA-3 for the rest, which would (I suspect) sound pretty fabulous.

Or, for $700 you could get an XPA-5 for all 5 speakers, which would be less fabulous but still pretty decent and leave useful change. I have a 5 driving a couple of LSi9s and like it a lot.

With over a grand to spend you'll have a lot of options.

[Kex]

Until the end of the year, for $1.3K you could get an Emotiva XPA-2 for the fronts, and an XPA-3 for the rest, which would (I suspect) sound pretty fabulous.

Or, for $700 you could get an XPA-5 for all 5 speakers, which would be less fabulous but still pretty decent and leave useful change. I have a 5 driving a couple of LSi9s and like it a lot.

With over a grand to spend you'll have a lot of options.
I have my reservations about how good Emotiva is and readily hesitate to buy into all the hype surrounding them. Their products remind me a bit of Hyundai: some of their cars look good if you consider just the published numbers, in terms of power etc., but they are still no Mercedes-Benz or BMW when you actually drive them, whatever the numbers might indicate.

Another option would be some of the NAD models available right now. I would consider the NAD T955 something of a bargain at $800, including shipping. It is only rated 100w/ch, but dynamic power is 150w/ch, or 200w/ch at 4 ohms (not to mention 260w/ch at 2 ohms ... very reassuring when driving LSi speakers).

I have got vastly superior results from a NAD receiver rated at just 70w/ch when compared to an Emotiva seperates combo (LMC-1 & LPA-1) rated at 125w/ch. The NAD was a much better choice for me, in terms of features, remote control abilities, true musical output (not just supposed w/ch), quality of finish, and even price ($400 vs. $800). With the tighter bass and extra detail I was able to achieve, the NAD would still have been the better buy at the same price as the Emotiva combo ($800). If the T955 can deliver more than the T754, as would be expected, then when paired with your Onkyo, it should be a truly outstanding choice.

http://www.spearitsound.com/nad/T955.asp
http://www.nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/NAD_T955.pdf

There are also some deals available on the FM, including some Rotel units at Emotiva prices (but they are used).

[kirko]

What do you think about Outlaw 2200 (http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html)?

[Kex]

What do you think about Outlaw 2200 (http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/2200.html)?
No experience with them, but many excellent reviews (just like Emotiva). YMMV.