5.1 speaker setup

[krt919]

Hello,
I am currently setting up surround sound in my living room. I have another post regarding poping/clicking that I am currently troubleshooting. However I am still in the market for my front speakers, and was looking for advice as this is still new to me.

I currently have an Onkyo tx-sr604 receiver, which states it has 110W per channel. I have been reading online that connecting speakers that can take higher power than your receiver can output can damage your speakers. I wanted to let you know what I have so far to see if I am going down the right path.

So attached to the receiver, I have the T15's right now as my L & R. I am looking to either get the New Monitor 35b, or 45b. For my center, I got the 25C since it was on sale at newegg, and I couldn't pass it up. I was looking on Polks site and the T15's have a max of 100W, or so I think. The 25C can take up to 175W. Is my receiver not powerful enough to handle this? If so what would you recommend?

[rpf65]

If your AVR is rated at 110 watts per channel/2 channels driven, when you go to 5.x, you'll be getting somewhere around 70 watts. You should be alright running those speakers, but if you start hearing distortion, back off. If you hear distortion, your already in the danger zone.

[krt919]

Thank you, so would you recommend upgrading the receiver to handle higher watts?

[rpf65]

Haven't looked at the specs on your AVR, but if it has pre-outs, you could just add an amp, and run any speaker your heart and/or wallet desires. Not trying to be sarcastic, but there are many variables in selecting equipment/speakers. It would help if you gave us a budget, room size, what your actually trying to achieve, listening habits/types of music, if any, etc. The more info we have, the better able we are to help.

Every piece of gear has it's limits, as well as a specific job. All manufacturers have different sounds. People here will have no problem spending your money, but without some direction, it could be nothing more than wasting your money.

Welcome to Club Polk

[krt919]

I don't believe it has a pre out.

[rpf65]

If you really want the 45's then buy them, just be careful with the volumn knob for a while. Start shopping and saving for a new AVR that has pre-outs. Half the fun is listening to new things anyway. Listen to as many brands as you can,and if you still like the Onkyo's better than the others, look into what they have to offer.

Worry about the amp later on. Whatever you do, don't base your AVR purchase on power ratings, they are a rough guide at best. In other words pretty much meaningless. Take your time, do it right, save a lot of money, by spending a little more up front.

Don't be afraid to ask questions here. Nobody knows everything. People here will give you the best advice they can, but the final decision is always yours.

[krt919]

Great! Thanks for your input. So keeping the 25C from Polk won't cause any damage if I keep the volume at a normal range for a while?

[krt919]

I wanted to give a quick update on this issue. I was watching a movie the other night on HBO, and heard another pop/clicking sound. So last night, I played the same movie on my blu ray player (Fast Five), same settings, and volume level. I did not hear any popping or clicking from watching the same scene on the blu ray. I also turned on the Xbox after, and was testing that out. I didn't hear any pops or clicks. :-)

[theshawn]

"krt919 - I have been reading online that connecting speakers that can take higher power than your receiver can output can damage your speakers."

I'm no expert but that sounds the opposite of what damages most speakers. Having an amp or HTR that pumps less power than your speakers can handle will not harm them imo unless you push your receiver/amp to levels it starts to distort for too long.

Actually have an amp/HTR that pumps TOO MUCH power into speakers that can't handle it will blow them quicker than having an underpowered amp/HTR pushing speakers that can handle much more.

If you are not an idiot who thinks "loud" sounds good regardless of sound quality then your Onkyo will not damage the speakers you are talking about. Also, if memory serves (as I researched one recently for sale on CL) your SR604 has the 110wpc rating at 6ohm and closer to 90-95wpc at 8ohm. If all your Polks are 8ohm I don't think you should worry at all about damaging them and just relax and enjoy.

In most cases I think an underpowered amp/htr will just result in you not getting all you can out of the speakers in question. I'm sure there are certain speakers or circumstances/contexts where inferior power damages speakers built for higher power but I'm guessing that's most likely when the difference is very large....not of the range you are talking.

My .02, others more knowledgeable than I can chime in.

[rpf65]

If you're only hearing pops while watching tv, it is probably your hdmi cable. Try a new one