Can LC60i's handle the Outlaw model 7125?

Many months ago I posted a thread asking anyone who has ever mixed bookshelf (LSi9's) with in-ceiling speakers (LC60i's). I believe a few of you out there had the bookshelf and in-wall combo, but not my particular setup. Several months later, I finally acheived my home theater dream...almost. I know this is an old topic that many have heard before, but I'm asking again. Most say that a 200wpc amp is needed (but NOT the law) to power the LSi9's being they are power hungry. I've pretty much decided on the Outlaw 7125model, however, is this too much for the LC60i's? Remember, I'm no expert at this.
BTW: Currently, I have the speakers hooked up to my Sony and although I haven't cranked up the volume, the entire surround sound setup is awesome!

even when an amp's output power is more than the maximum rated for a speaker, you really dont risk damaging it. just dont drive the speaker to the point of distortion.

easier to blow a speaker underpowering it than overpowering it.

I had my LC80is hooked up to Outlaw Monos at 200 W per channel (300 @4 ohms). No problemo.

BTW, my receiver is plenty loud already. My wife says I don't need an amp. In her opinion, it's plenty loud without the amp, however, I want to crank it up even louder, but I'm scared to do so. I'm afraid I'll blow out my speakers and regret it later on. Another amp I considered was the Outlaw model 7075, which is less powerful than the 7125 and rated at 115 wpc at 4 ohms. I think this one it too weak. What do you all think?

The idea of the 200 watts per channel is so it will play well at all levels not just loud.

It is not just a matter of loudness. You will hear details in music that you didn't know were there. You will have greater clarity, better separation of instruments & sound effects, better bass, & the comfort of knowing that you won't risk damaging the speakers or the receiver.

Others have tried running it on less power, swearing that it would be enough & then came on telling us their receiver/or amp went into protect mode.

You know the advice & you know the risks & you know how much louder you want to go.

You can't say you weren't warned.

200 watts is only 1.75 db's louder than 125 watts.

I have a 200 watt amp currently, but I recently compared it to a 100 watt amp, there was no more detail with the 200 watt amp. How do more watts = more detail? It doesn't. The 200 watt amp is able to play with a little less strain, when used at VERY high volumes, levels I would never actually listen at for more than a minute.

I did this comparison to see if it would be worthwhile to trade my 4 power amps, for a single 7x120 amp to be able to actually fit all my equipment in one rack. I concluded that I would probably lose no sound quality with the lower wattage, at the levels I listen at.

The key I think, is high current, not high wattage amp, and an amp of good quality.

Trust me, I believe each one of you. You have experience with this kind of stuff. Here's what really bothers me and correct me if I'm wrong. The LC60i's state that the recommended amplifier power for this type of in-ceiling speaker is 10-125 w/channel. What exactly does this mean?

Basically it mean that at 10wpc it will sound ok. You will hear them but it won't be anything to write home about. 125wpc will let them operate to their FULL potential & sound outstanding.

The speakers will take exactly what they need to sound their best. Now if you don't have the full 125wpc to give them & you are playing them loud, you run the risk of damaging them. Your ears will give out before your speakers do when they are getting all the power that they need with plenty left over without strain.

All of my speakers are being fed with 405wpc. My mains maximum watts is 250with my surrounds being 125wpc I think. All of them sound terrific.

So don't be afraid to buy more watts than the max watts recommended. Your speakers will love all the power & so will your ears.

Lots of people have definately heard a clear difference in the details of the music & vocals with 200wpc and have stated so.

Your 2nd to last statement is very telling. You only THINK you might not lose sound quality, but when push came to shove you decided to stick with your 200wpc. It's better to be safe than sorry isn't it?

That is all we are telling Audio5oh. It is much better to have more than you need rather than need what you don't have.

We have also discussed the "high current, not high wattage amp, and an amp of good quality" issue. Those who talk about it are generally talking about Krells, Mcintosh, Ayre, etc brands. All of which cost hundreds to thousands more & most likely you are paying to have the name.

I will take a midfi Outlaw, Rotel, Parasound, Sunfire, Adcom, Nad etc. over any of the other so called Name amps & get far more watts for my money.

Read this thread Audio5oh to get a better understanding of what lots of watts can do for your LSI's.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54109

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Originally Posted by WilliamM2

200 watts is only 1.75 db's louder than 125 watts.

I have a 200 watt amp currently, but I recently compared it to a 100 watt amp, there was no more detail with the 200 watt amp. How do more watts = more detail? It doesn't. The 200 watt amp is able to play with a little less strain, when used at VERY high volumes, levels I would never actually listen at for more than a minute.

I did this comparison to see if it would be worthwhile to trade my 4 power amps, for a single 7x120 amp to be able to actually fit all my equipment in one rack. I concluded that I would probably lose no sound quality with the lower wattage, at the levels I listen at.

The key I think, is high current, not high wattage amp, and an amp of good quality.

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Cfrizz,
I've read some of your posts before. What speakers do currently own? I would have preferred the LSiFX for my surrounds, however, there is no place to put them on the floor (take too much space) and they would have looked too bulky on the wall. The LC60'i's were a great alternative that Polk recommended. Thanks again for all the advice.

My system is listed in Post #6. I'm sure the inwalls will be just great.

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Your 2nd to last statement is very telling. You only THINK you might not lose sound quality, but when push came to shove you decided to stick with your 200wpc.

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Where did I say I was sticking with my 200wpc? I am getting the 7x120.

Ah that wasn't clear in your statement.

WilliamM2,
If your considering the 7x120 amp, what brand are you getting? Is that 120 @4 ohms? I know it sounds dumb, but I was also taking the weight of the amp into consideration. Reason being is my audio/video component rack is fairly new, however, the company (Tech-craft) specifically says that each shelf holds NO more than 40 pounds. You take the risk of having the rack collapse or something if you exceed the weight limit. The Outlaw 7125 that I'm considering weighs approximately 50 pounds. I don't know where else to place it but on the component rack. I know all amps vary in weight. I've seen some that weigh anywhere between 50-80 pounds! That's heavy. The lower end Outlaw 7075 model weighs approximately 40 pounds which is perfect. Regardless of the weight issue, I still want the higher powered Outlaw, only because of the reputation they have and the price.

The one I am looking at is an Atlantic Technology A-2000. It is 7x120 at 8ohms. 240 at 4 ohms. Weighs 76 lbs. And it's not silly to worry about the weight, I am concerned about this also. I modified the bottom shelf on my rack years ago, so it could support my current 200 watt amp (52 lbs), but this will be 24 lbs. more! :eek:

It is built by Eastech, the same company that OEM's the Parasound Classic line, and the Audio Refinement Multi 3 ans Multi 5.

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Originally Posted by Audio5oh

Trust me, I believe each one of you. You have experience with this kind of stuff. Here's what really bothers me and correct me if I'm wrong. The LC60i's state that the recommended amplifier power for this type of in-ceiling speaker is 10-125 w/channel. What exactly does this mean?

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Actually, the ratings are more of a 10W will let them make a noise at a reasonable volume without blowing the speakers. (Basically, it's theminimum recommended rating for low level listening) 125W rating is the speakers can handle that much power for a reasonable time period without blowing up (a physical limitation). The thing is, most of the time you will be listening at 2-5W anyways and only big transients will push that into the 100W+ range. As Lou said, you're better off trying to blow up your speaker with too much power than feed it too little. As for more detail at higher wattage? I have never heard or seen that. My most detailed amps are/were rated at 2W/Channel and 35W/channel Both were far more detailed than my 170W/Channel and 400W/Channel amps. It is more dependent on the quality of amps than the power.

jdhdiggs,
So you're saying the more powerful amp would be best as most of you have recommended? I don't want to upgrade later to another amp and have to spend more money. The amp I'm looking at costs $1,000 which is not bad considering other brands within the same specs are priced much higher.