How should I wire my set-up?

[Polkcanada]

Hello to all, I am new to the forms and I am setting up a new POLK system and I am trying to figure if I should bi wire and/or bi amp my setup. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have an ONKYO TX-NR5010 receiver. This is Onkyo's flagship model. The speakers are Polk LSiM707, LSiM706c and a pair of LSiM702 F/X for a 5.1 setup.

My questions are?

Do I need more amp power?
Should I Bi Wire?
Should I Bi Amp?
If I should BI Wire , a local company recommended Ultralink cable, is this good stuff or would you recommend something else?

I will be Using the set up to listen to music and as a home theatre.

Thanks for your help.

[F1nut]

Do I need more amp power?

More than likely. Your AVR specs,
145 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz,
0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)

That means the more channels you use the less power per channel will be available.

Should I Bi Wire?

No, you're better off replacing the stock jumpers with high quality speaker cable.

Should I Bi Amp?

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...hould-I-bi-amp

a local company recommended Ultralink cable

Is that Monster cable? I use and recommend MIT cable.

[Polkcanada]

Here are the specs.


Amplifier Section


Power Output -
All Channels 145 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz,
0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Front L/R 145 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz,
0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
175 W + 175 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Center 145 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz,
0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
175 W + 175 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround L/R 145 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz,
0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
175 W + 175 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround Back L/R 145 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz,
0.05%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
175 W + 175 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Dynamic Power 400 W (3 ohms, 1 ch)
300 W (4 ohms, 1 ch)
180 W (8 ohms, 1 ch)
THD+N (Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise) 0.05% (20 Hz-20 kHz, Rated power)
Damping Factor 60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 ohms)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance 200 mV/47 k-ohms (Line)
2.5 mV/47 k-ohms (Phono MM)
Maximum RCA Output Level and Impedance 5.5 V/470 ohms (Pre out)
Phono Overload 70 mV (MM, 1 kHz, 0.5%)
Frequency Response 5 Hz-100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct Mode)
Tone Control ±10 dB, 50 Hz (Bass)
±10 dB, 20 kHz (Treble)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio 110 dB (Line, IHF-A)
80 dB (Phono MM, IHF-A)
Speaker Impedance 4 Ohms–16 Ohms or 6 Ohms–16 Ohms

After reading a bit more and talking to a couple of people I am concerned that the ONKYO may not have enough power by it self.

Based on personal experience with the LSIM series can anyone tell me whether they think I need more power? Or should I be fine with the just the ONYKO receiver.

Thanks for your help. It is greatly appreciated.

[BlueFox]

Power is like money, better to have to much than to little. Your setup will work, and will probably be enjoyable. However, it might not be capable of earth shattering sound levels if that is your goal. A lot here depends on how big is your room. A large room with open space will need much more power than, for example, a bedroom used as a HT.

Just run a single wire to each speaker, and don't worry about bi anything. Be sure to use at least 14 gauge, and 12 gauge if possible. After you get experience with this, and assuming you continue to learn, you will realize you need to upgrade everything, and then you can start to worry about speaker wires, power cords, interconnect cables, more power, a separate preamp and power amp, etc.

Start saving now.

[txcoastal1]

Ultralink makes quality cables for home theater, and yes you are under powered for a surround set up. Onkyo will run it but a higher lolumes and longer running times I suggest an external 2chnl amp for your 707's

[Polkcanada]

EMOTIVA XPA-3
Three-Channel Power
Amplifier
Power output (all channels driven):
300 watts RMS @ 4 ohm (0.1% THD)
200 watts RMS @ 8 ohm (0.1% THD)

Will this get the job done? I saw on one of the threads that someone liked it.

Any other suggestions?

THanks,

[F1nut]

Why would you buy an amp that costs less than your pair of 707's???????????????????????????????????

[Polkcanada]

How about a Parasound A31 for the Left, Right and Centre? And then let the ONKYO power the surrounds in a 5.1 o a future 7.1 setup. Would the ONYKO be enough to power 4 702 F/Xs?

Thanks again guys.

[txcoastal1]

Parasound A31 would be an excellent choice, most sound and dialogue are pushed from the from 3, so let your Onkyo push the surrounds.

[xcapri79]

EMOTIVA XPA-3
Three-Channel Power
Amplifier
Power output (all channels driven):
300 watts RMS @ 4 ohm (0.1% THD)
200 watts RMS @ 8 ohm (0.1% THD)

Will this get the job done? I saw on one of the threads that someone liked it.

Any other suggestions?

THanks,

Welcome to Club Polk. Yes the XPA-3 will do the job. I have been using several different Emotiva XPA series amps to power my several Polk Audio LSi speakers to my great satisfaction for several years now. Your Onkyo receiver can power the surrounds. There are other good choices that the members will offer too, but the simple answer to your question is YES.
That said, take with a grain of salt anyone with an obvious bias against essentially anything Emotiva produces. They are sold products with great customer service.

[F1nut]

How about a Parasound A31 for the Left, Right and Centre? And then let the ONKYO power the surrounds in a 5.1 o a future 7.1 setup. Would the ONYKO be enough to power 4 702 F/Xs?

That's a much better plan.

[Polkcanada]

Thanks for the help guys. I have decided not to biamp or biwire but I am going to get a power amp. to drive the
Left, right and centre.

I have now turn my attention to the 3 cables I need to run from the Onkyo receiver to the power amp. I am going to put the power amp in the room underneath my Home Theatre Room. This way I can save on cabinet space.

I was looking at the mono price cables and was wondering if the RG6 RCA to RCA cables was the way to go? I am running about 20'. They have a 25' High Quality RG6 Digital Analog 24k product ID 2683. I was looking at getting 3 of these.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks again,

[Polkcanada]

My eyes are burning from all the reading I did last night on cables. I have read comments ranging from high end cables are snake oil to if I buy the right cable I will be able to hear Eddie Van Halen drop his guitar pick.

So I thought I should add the following, I want to get 3 good 20' interconnect cables to run from my ONKYO 5010 to, if I purchase it today, a Parasound A31. I am auditioning one today and think it will make a nice Valentine gift for my wife and maybe I should add a couple dozen roses! After purchasing Polk LSIM707s, 706c, 702FX, Onkyo TX-NR5010, Oppo 103 and a Parasound A31' my wallet is crying out "Uncle".

And based on what I have read, I am better to spend my money on a Parasound A31, than on High end cables at the start.

So I am looking to purchase a good cable not the best cable. My price range includes mono price cables, blue Jean cables, ultra link C2 cables. Or any other cables in that price range.

Thanks again, any help would be appreciated.

[Polkcanada]

The Parasound A31 sounds amazing, I hope my wife likes her Valentine gift. The place I picked up the Parasound at was also a Kimber Kable dealer and the owner gave me a fantastic deal on them. So I plan on picking them up once I confirm the length.

I was also told that I should use 10 gauge wire instead of 12 for the speaker cable. If anyone thinks differently, it be great to get your advice.

[chumlie]

It would be better if you got the amp closer to the preamp.