LSI 15s with Sunfire TGA5200 or TGA7401

[Fernando1]

I am running the Polk LSI 15s with a sunfire amp(TGA5200) which gives them 400 watts into 4ohms. Would it make any difference in sound quality if I buy a TGA7401 which will do 800 watts into 4 ohms for the LSI15 and 400 watts into 8ohms for the rest of the speakers. All other speakers such as surrounds and center are 8ohm speakers.

Thanks for all your help

[thuffman03]

I always say more power is better. Not sure if it will sound any better.

[Bernal]

Welcome to the club.
The LSi would improve further. In other things being equal.
The rest, with an amplifier will always be better.
Only care for the timbre of the speaker in relation to LSi



-------------------
01) DENON AVR-4308CI: Advanced 7.1 CH/5.1+2 CH/ 3.1+2+2 CH A/V Home Theater /MultiMedia Multi-Source/Zone Receiver with Networking and WiFi/170 watts x 7 channels
02) SUNFIRE Grand Signature - Bob Carver's
03) OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio
04) OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio / DENON DVD-2500BTCI: Blu-ray Disc™ DVD/CD Digital Player/Transport
05) HITACHI P55T501. 55" HD1080 Plasma HDTV
06) POLKAUDIO LSiC (Center speaker)
07) POLKAUDIO LSi15 LEFT (Front speaker)
08) POLKAUDIO LSi15 RIGHT (Front speaker)
09) POLKAUDIO LSif/x LEFT (Surround speaker)
10) POLKAUDIO LSif/x RIGHT (Surround speaker)
11) VELODYNE OPTIMUN 12" (High Output Digital EQ SubWoofer 2400W/1200WRMS)

[nooshinjohn]

get the TGA7401... Hands down the extra power is worth it on the LSi15's. Not only will you hear the difference, you will FEEL it.

For added improvement, I would bi-amp the TGA-7401 so that the back channels are pulled forward to run the low end on the LSi's. This will give 800wpc to the highs and 800wpc to the bottom.

[Face]

Nothing I enjoy more than the smell of burnt voice coils in the morning.

[TNRabbit]

nothing i enjoy more than the smell of burnt voice coils in the morning.

:d:d:d:d:d

[thuffman03]

Nothing I enjoy more than the smell of burnt voice coils in the morning.

:D Funny!

[jinjuku]

With your current amp able to run 400watts at 4 ohm loads continuous I think outside of the other amp having a different sonic signature that you really won't be able to tell the difference due to the extra wattage with everything else about the amps being the same.

[BlueFox]

I am running the Polk LSI 15s with a sunfire amp(TGA5200) which gives them 400 watts into 4ohms. Would it make any difference in sound quality if I buy a TGA7401 which will do 800 watts into 4 ohms for the LSI15 and 400 watts into 8ohms for the rest of the speakers. All other speakers such as surrounds and center are 8ohm speakers.

I have the TGA5400 and it is driving 4 LSi15s and a PSB Synchrony One Center, all 4 ohms, with no problem, and it sounds great for both music and HT.

In regard to your question, I do not have any experience going from 400W/ch to 800W/ch with the LSi15s, but I would make a guess that there will be an improvement.

In the living room two channel system I am using PSB Synchrony One towers. Initially, I had a single Cambridge-Audio 840W amp, which is rated at 350W/ch at 4 ohms. While this sounded great, I was in an upgrade mode last year, and wondered what to do. I purchased another 840W and put both amps in mono-bridged. With this configuration, each amp produces 800W/ch with 4 ohms.

It made a big differance in sound improvement; clearer, tighter, more detailed, and I was getting the same sound level with the pre-amp set to -45db, versus -35db with one amp.

All in all, a good move, and I been so happy with the sound the only money I have spent on the 2 channel system since then is just from buying a new DAC, and CDs.

[phuz]

Nothing I enjoy more than the smell of burnt voice coils in the morning.

This.

Don't push your luck. If you need more than 400 watts, you have other issues that should be addressed first.

[nooshinjohn]

Power does not kill speakers... People kill speakers with too little power.

[phuz]

Power does not kill speakers... People kill speakers with too little power.

That's a nice broad statement. Speakers have physical as well as electrical limits. Please apply 800 watts to speakers rated at 250 watts, and tell us the result. Take pics please, and be sure to go into detail about the smell. I really do love that smell.

[nooshinjohn]

My 2.3TL's have been getting hit with 400wpc to the high side and 400wpc for the lows(800wpc combined) and love all they can get and more. I have run a Sunfire Signature Grand (800wpc@4 ohm/ 1600wpc total to each)in a bi-amped configuration at my LSi-15's without any adverse effects. They thrived on the extra power, and really came alive. There are others here that use ungodly amounts of power on their LSi's with similar results. I have no doubt running them on 150wpc coming from my old Yammy would certainly have killed them, and the 1600wpc from the Sunfire was nothing short of special, and without the fireworks you are anticipating. It would only be a broad statement if I had never done it for myself.

[phuz]

I'm not sayin' you're wrong. Just sayin', if Fernando's remote sticks and maxes out his volume he'll get a nice burnt smell and the LSi's just might go *pop*.

At 400 watts he's getting roughly 114db or so, so double the power for an extra 3db and he'll get roughly 117db at 800 watts.

Is the accidental melt down of some mighty fine speakers worth that extra 3db? I seriously doubt the dampening factor or any other specs in a 400 vs. 800 watt amp of the same manufacturer will have any positive effect.

This is not a 150w receiver vs. 400w amp. If it was, I'd say go big ALL DAY. But to say yes he should go to 800wpc is absurd when the money is probably better spent in other areas of his system.

[nooshinjohn]

As you said phuz... where you place the volume is important, but remember, power is not about volume. It is about control and clarity. Having the power needed for short term events does wonders for the overall quality of the sound produced. If the OP is like most of us and does not exceed reference levels with the volume knob there will be no problem and the extra power will be a blessing...

That said, there may well be areas that could use the help first, but we do not have that information as yet to make that call. Bottom line here is will he hear and appreciate the difference between the two amps, and based upon personal experience with my own gear, the answer is yes.

[BlueFox]

I'm not sayin' you're wrong. Just sayin', if Fernando's remote sticks and maxes out his volume he'll get a nice burnt smell and the LSi's just might go *pop*.

At 400 watts he's getting roughly 114db or so, so double the power for an extra 3db and he'll get roughly 117db at 800 watts.

Is the accidental melt down of some mighty fine speakers worth that extra 3db? I seriously doubt the dampening factor or any other specs in a 400 vs. 800 watt amp of the same manufacturer will have any positive effect.

This is not a 150w receiver vs. 400w amp. If it was, I'd say go big ALL DAY. But to say yes he should go to 800wpc is absurd when the money is probably better spent in other areas of his system.

You seem to think that people want more power in order to play louder. Since the original poster asked "Would it make any difference in sound quality" if he upgraded amps, your response makes no sense. Almost as if you do not know what you are talking about.

Anyway, based on experience, I answered his question.

[Face]

John, the tweeters in your 2.3's share 400 watts. The OP's LSi ring radiator will receive 400 watts on it's own, putting it at it's limit. Besides, I hardly doubt there will be a difference in sound quality and as mentioned, it would be money better spent elsewhere.

[nooshinjohn]

John, the tweeters in your 2.3's share 400 watts. The OP's LSi ring radiator will receive 400 watts on it's own, putting it at it's limit. Besides, I hardly doubt there will be a difference in sound quality and as mentioned, it would be money better spent elsewhere.

Agreed, maybe the money is better spent elsewhere in his system, but we do not know that. The question was will the extra power make a difference, and having run the setup he is talking about personally, the answer is that it will make a big difference for the better.

[phuz]

You seem to think that people want more power in order to play louder. Since the original poster asked "Would it make any difference in sound quality" if he upgraded amps, your response makes no sense. Almost as if you do not know what you are talking about.

Anyway, based on experience, I answered his question.

I meant to imply a "no" but I can break it down if it's needed.

No, it will not make a difference in sound quality and will most likely only increase the odds of damaging his speakers.

There. :)

[nooshinjohn]

I meant to imply a "no" but I can break it down if it's needed.

No, it will not make a difference in sound quality and will most likely only increase the odds of damaging his speakers.

There. :)

Have you owned any of the gear in question? If not, how can you say that he will damage his speakers in light of the fact that it has been done without any problems whatsoever by those that in fact have the very same gear the OP is asking about? My LSi's crave the power and have never had a hint of a problem. They do not sound louder, rather they are cleaner, tighter and image better.

I am not trying to be an ass, only wanting to understand where you are getting your information from.:)

[BlueFox]

I meant to imply a "no" but I can break it down if it's needed.

No, it will not make a difference in sound quality and will most likely only increase the odds of damaging his speakers.

Interesting. Going to 800w/ch in my HT has not damaged any of my LSi15s in over a year, and it sure sounds good. Going to 800W/ch in my 2 channel rig has not damaged my PSB speakers, and it certainly improved the sound quality.

I worry more about my cats damaging the speakers than the amp power.

[phuz]

You guys just want to freaking argue. Someone has a different opinion than you, deal with it.

Yes Fernando, listen to these guys. Go ahead and do it. But, when you're enjoying a movie and those canons go off or that space ship flies by your living room at thunderous levels, and the LSi's dip down to 2ohms meaning you're throwing 1500+ watts into em', don't come crying back to Polk for replacement drivers when yours melt down.

[nooshinjohn]

No arguement... I appreciate your thoughts, but was only curious as to what you base your opinions on. I applogize if that comes across as being argumentative.:o

[BlueFox]

No arguement... I appreciate your thoughts, but was only curious as to what you base your opinions on. I applogize if that comes across as being argumentative.:o

I have to agree. There is no arguement. People with experience on the subject, and gained their experience by having very similar gear to the original question, are stating the facts. Others with no experience are trying to place their unfounded opinion on equal footing as a fact. That isn't an arguement.

[phuz]

In regard to your question, I do not have any experience going from 400W/ch to 800W/ch with the LSi15s

Indeed.

[Fernando1]

Guys don't fight over this! I appreciate every comment that I get.
I am not one of those crazy guys who blast the music that the neighbors complain about it!
I am just trying to get the best sound in my lsi 15s for two channel and ht. My volume levels in the old yamaha were movies -35 and music(vocals, smooth jazz and enya type of music) in the -29.
I have to check now what the volume levels will be with the Sunfire receiver/prepro and the old Sunfire TGA5200.
I love my polks lsi 15s and I am just trying to improve the sound quality not blast music
Hope this helps

[nooshinjohn]

What other gear do you have in your rig...

[BlueFox]

Indeed.

Yes, that is right putz. I went from 175W/ch to 800W/ch with my LSi15s, and a LSiC. It was a fantastically great upgrade. Really made the LSi15s alive. Clearer mids and highs, tighter, solid bass. Great for music and HT.

Same in the living room when I doubled the power to 800W/ch. An obvious improvement in sound quality. In fact I am listening to it now, and the drivers are still working and not smoking.

[Sherardp]

Keep the current Sunfire on the remaining speakers and go with 1000ASP IcePower Amp. Cheaper in price plus a ton of power @ 4 ohms. Worth a shot as a few members here have gone with IcePower with excellent results. I run the Magnum 1000S on Rti12s.


http://d-sonic.net/

[Lasareath]

If you need more than 400 watts, you have other issues that should be addressed first.

LOL!

I think maybe you need some SDA's, So that you can Hear the best sound Polk ever made. Like SRS 2.3's or 1.2TL's