Speaker Configuration for Yamaha RX-A3000 AVR

[rpaddy]

Hi All,

I have a few questions (and I apologize in advance if they seem silly). I recently purchased a Yamaha RX-A3000 AVR and have been slowly purchasing speakers to add to it.

Right now I have the following Polk Audio Speakers:

1x Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker
2x Polk Audio Monitor70 Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker
2x Polk Audio TSi200 Bookshelf Speakers (the Monitor40s were out of stock at the time, and I believe these were their replacement)
2x Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer

The setup is pretty straightforward: the CS2 is in the center right beneath my wall mounted HDTV, the Monitor70s as the front left and right, the TSi200s as the surround left and right, and the PSW505s at the front-sides of the room.

I think the setup is fine and all works well? But I wanted to add some presence speakers to the mix (as I had some old Logitech Z-5500s lying around and going to waste - and they were pretty decent speakers for a PC, I thought that perhaps I could hook them up as front and back presence speakers?

I wanted to get some input on this and whether I would need to buy an additional amplifier (as the manual states) to power them for a full 11.2 configuration (from my current 5.2) or whether I could just leverage the amps inside the PSW505s? (as the Logitech speakers are small and I won't be playing my sound super loud either)

PS, I do not have Surround Back Speakers (as I am unsure at this point whether I want to bi-amp the front loudspeakers, it sounds fun and fancy, but after reading forums and posts - seems like it might not bring much to the table - perhaps you could comment on that too?)

Just to post some specs:

Yamaha RX-A3000 AVR
Channel: 7.2
Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven): 140W (8ohms, 0.06% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms): 175/220/295/415 W
Logitech Z-5500 Satellite Speakers (per speaker)
3" - Aluminum Full-Range Driver
Power Rating: 61W
Frequency Response: 33Hz-20kHz
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
Sensitivity: >93.5db

Thanks so much!

Randy

[pearsall001]

Hi All,

I have a few questions (and I apologize in advance if they seem silly). I recently purchased a Yamaha RX-A3000 AVR and have been slowly purchasing speakers to add to it.

Right now I have the following Polk Audio Speakers:

1x Polk Audio CS2 Series II Center Channel Speaker
2x Polk Audio Monitor70 Series II Floorstanding Loudspeaker
2x Polk Audio TSi200 Bookshelf Speakers (the Monitor40s were out of stock at the time, and I believe these were their replacement)
2x Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer

The setup is pretty straightforward: the CS2 is in the center right beneath my wall mounted HDTV, the Monitor70s as the front left and right, the TSi200s as the surround left and right, and the PSW505s at the front-sides of the room.

I think the setup is fine and all works well? But I wanted to add some presence speakers to the mix (as I had some old Logitech Z-5500s lying around and going to waste - and they were pretty decent speakers for a PC, I thought that perhaps I could hook them up as front and back presence speakers?

I wanted to get some input on this and whether I would need to buy an additional amplifier (as the manual states) to power them for a full 11.2 configuration (from my current 5.2) or whether I could just leverage the amps inside the PSW505s? (as the Logitech speakers are small and I won't be playing my sound super loud either)

PS, I do not have Surround Back Speakers (as I am unsure at this point whether I want to bi-amp the front loudspeakers, it sounds fun and fancy, but after reading forums and posts - seems like it might not bring much to the table - perhaps you could comment on that too?)

Just to post some specs:

Yamaha RX-A3000 AVR
Channel: 7.2
Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven): 140W (8ohms, 0.06% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms): 175/220/295/415 W
Logitech Z-5500 Satellite Speakers (per speaker)
3" - Aluminum Full-Range Driver
Power Rating: 61W
Frequency Response: 33Hz-20kHz
Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohm
Sensitivity: >93.5db

Thanks so much!

Randy

Nice pickup with that Yammie AVR. From what I've read it's awesome with it's power & features. If you want a full blown out 11.2 system I would suggest a new (used) two channel amp for your mains...get them off of the AVR power. This way the AVR will have plenty of juice to handle the rest of the system. On a side note here's a great article on settings you might find imformative. But remember nothing is set in stone so play around with settings, I'll bet setting the XO on the 70's at 60/80Hz will prove the best. Let your ears dictate.
http://www.ecoustics.com/electronics...es/128214.html

[rpaddy]

Thanks so much for that insight pearsall001!

Another quick question, I have been doing quite a bit of researching but couldn't really find what I needed.

Could you give me some more information on what type (perhaps brand and output power per channel) of amplifier I would need to power my Monitor70s (should I bi-amp them or not). And am I correct in saying that I would connect my current AVR to the (newer) 2 channel amp via the pre-out digital connections on the back?

Thanks.

Randy

[Lietuvis91]

Congrats on the very nice setup! I had my eye on that receiver too, hard to beat at that price!

If I'm not mistaking, your nice A3000 does 140w per channel, which should run those m70s pretty darn well. Do you feel like you need more power or just curious what it will do?

I will say that if you buy an amp, look for 200w/ch @ 8ohms, as that is the only way I think you will see a real difference between your avr and the amp, since your avr is faily powerful already. I really like my parasound a1500, which is 205w/ch, but there are many really good brands out there like anthem, rotel, outlaw, adcom. Pretty much, take your pick.

How do you like the setup so far? I always wondered how the a3000 would sound with the Monitor Line of speakers. I heard that receiver with martin logans and found the sound far superior to the sc-35 pioneer that I compared it to. The sc-35 is a well regarded receiver and that may just have been because of the speaker choice at the time. Anyway, let us know what you think!

[rpaddy]

Well I do not want to overload the A3000 (the guide states that I should use an External Amplifier if I need to load on more than 7 drivers - and I wanted to power some front and rear presence speakers making it 11 in total). It was suggested that I look at an EA to power the front loudspeakers instead and then the A3000 would gracefully handle the load of the remaining 9? :)

Thanks for your reply too! I am really liking my setup. I want to finish setting up the full line of Monitor Series || on this AVR and see its full potential (then I can provide a much better update).

Randy

[pearsall001]

Well I do not want to overload the A3000 (the guide states that I should use an External Amplifier if I need to load on more than 7 drivers - and I wanted to power some front and rear presence speakers making it 11 in total). It was suggested that I look at an EA to power the front loudspeakers instead and then the A3000 would gracefully handle the load of the remaining 9? :)

Thanks for your reply too! I am really liking my setup. I want to finish setting up the full line of Monitor Series || on this AVR and see its full potential (then I can provide a much better update).

Randy

If you really want a full blown 11.2 system you have no choice but to pick up a two channel amp. You'll use the A3000 preouts for the amp to power the mains. It doesn't make sense to buy an amp for the height or presence speakers. Now the A3000 can run the other 9 channels. Is there any material that can take advantage of 11.2 channels? Maybe you're jumping the gun before it becomes prevelant in the industry. But if you are going this route the amps mentioned above will get the job done. Also add NAD to the list. You didn't mention a budget but the above mentioned brands can be had for a few hundred bucks.

[rpaddy]

I guess I am jumping the gun :) (the idea of 11.2 sounded great, but after your post and spending some time reviewing media - it just does not make any immediate sense to jump to that right now). I've loaded in a normal 7.2 setup for now and the sound system is amazing IMHO. Thanks for the help!

At this point, I don't think I have the budget to make a decent investment in an additional amp (but I will revisit it in a couple of months time).