Power for LSi9's

[ls7z06]

I am planning to purchase a set of LSi9's for music listening in my family room. Considering my options on how to power them. I have an Onk 806 sitting in the closet not being used. Considering flipping the switch on it to 4ohm and running with that. on the other hand..... I was also looking at an Emotiva 2 channel amp that delivers 185wpcX2 at 4ohms. I could use the Onk as a pre amp with the Emo. Not sure what my old Onk does at 4ohms, but it would have to be about 200watts. Appreciate any suggestions.

One other question...
If I used the Onk as a pre amp and drove the LSi9's with the Emo, can the Onk still drive a set of 8ohm speakers direct from the receiver at the same time. That would enable me to listen to the same thing in 2 different rooms... one room with the LSi9's from the Emo, and a second room with a set of RTiA1's direct from the receiver set at 8ohms. Not sure if the receiver can do both at the same time. If the pre-out is connected for the front speakers, does that disable the direct outs from the receiver? or can they both work at the same time? Thanks!

[PSOVLSK]

I would power them with the Emo, but I don't think you'll be able to hook up another set of speakers in a different room. I think that's only an option if you have an A/B switch or if your AVR has multi-room capabilities.

[xj4094dg]

If its the Onkyo TX-SR806, then you have zone 2 capabilities. Use a separate amp for the 9's. My 9's sing with lots of dedicated power.

[ls7z06]

Yes, they have 2 zone capability. I was just wondering if everything else works once you plug in the pre-outs. I guess it should.

Then I was also wondering how the TX-SR806 set to 4 ohms would do driving a set of LSi9's just used exclusively for 2 channel stereo listening. I know the receiver is rated 130w at 8 ohms, but not sure how it would rate set to 4 ohms with 2 channels driven.

[xj4094dg]

This from the Onkyo site.

Amplifier Section

Power Output -
Front L/R 130 W + 130 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Center 130 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround L/R 130 W + 130 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Surround Back L/R 130 W + 130 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
Dynamic Power 300 W (3 ohms, 1 ch)
250 W (4 ohms, 1 ch)
150 W (8 ohms, 1 ch)
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 0.08% (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 (Phone MM)
Output Level and Impedance 200 mV/470 ohms
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)
Speaker Impedance 4 ohms–16 ohms or 6 ohms–16 ohms

[xj4094dg]

Yes, they have 2 zone capability. I was just wondering if everything else works once you plug in the pre-outs. I guess it should.

Then I was also wondering how the TX-SR806 set to 4 ohms would do driving a set of LSi9's just used exclusively for 2 channel stereo listening. I know the receiver is rated 130w at 8 ohms, but not sure how it would rate set to 4 ohms with 2 channels driven.

I guess at 4ohms it would be about 250w/channel. I am pushing 385w/channel into my 9's and they kick ass. They like more power, but it is not necessary for basic listening.

[ls7z06]

I just found a review that tested the Onk 806 at 4 ohms and it was a disaster. Power dropped off, unit over heated, etc. Unit does fine set to 6-8 ohm, but reviewer warned to NOT use this receiver at 4 ohms. SO... that's cool. I will plan to use an Emotiva amp to run the 9's, and leave the Onk 806 set to 6-8ohms and run a set of RTiA1's direct from the receiver for a separate room.

[jimmydep]

That sounds like a good idea. From my expeirience the LSI's and emo's work well together.



Jimmy

[emoxley]

As was said, for basic listening, the 806 should work just fine, set on 4 ohm. You're probably not going to be listening at full volume, are you?

I use an 805, with a 7.1 setup. My front three speakers are 4 ohm (LSi9s and LSiC), and the other four speakers are 8 ohm Sony & Pioneer. This setup sounds wonderful. My 805 is not closed in, in an entertainment center. It's on a stand, and hardly gets warm, much less hot. I guess external amps are ok if you can afford them. I think they can be overkill though, in a lot of instances. I'll probably be chastised for saying that. Folks here love their amps........

[xcapri79]

There are several posts in here that discuss this, but the LSi9's dip to about 2 ohms.
It is not recommended to use an AVR alone unless you play them at low volumes.
The Emotiva XPA-3 would be a better choice than the lower powered UPA-2 two channel amp for the LSI9's. Yes your AVR has two zone capability so you could run a pair of RTiA speakers directly of it to a separate room.

[wutadumsn23]

I'm with the majority on this one, the 806 is a fine unit (I just happen to have one too, lol) but as for 4 Ohm performance, it will more than likely end badly. The LSi series love power, and lots of it. The 806 will never be able to give them what they need to sound their best, why buy a Ferrari if you are just going to drive it a mile to pick up your groceries?? Same can be said about buying speakers that love power, just to tun them off an AVR that isn't up to the task. Best bet would be to get a 3 or 5 channel amp (like the Emo) and call it a day. That 806 will die a painful death if you give those 9's any kind of liberty with the volume knob. I know it has been done, but powering 4 ohm speakers (that can even dip down to 2 ohms) with an AVR that isn't up to the task, is never a good idea. Just my $.02.

-Jeff

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

On my Yamaha it is reccomended that once the pre-out's are in use to not connect any speaker's to the receiver terminal's, unless i misunderstood? I would double check your onk manual just to be safe before hooking everything up :)

I think the xpa2 is a fine looking piece of equipment, especially at it's price point :D

[ls7z06]

Thanks for the feedback. I did my ordering today and have an Emotiva XPA-2headed my way... Will see how it does.

[candjhuntley]

On my Yamaha it is reccomended that once the pre-out's are in use to not connect any speaker's to the receiver terminal's, unless i misunderstood?

I believe that's saying don't hook up speakers to the terminals that correspond to the pre-outs being used. I.e. If you were using the pre-outs for your fronts and center, then don't hook other speakers to the terminals for those particular speakers. But all the other speaker terminals will work as usual. My friend has only the front soundstage running through an amp, the other 4 channels are used to feed other speakers. Works just fine. And he's using an 806.

Good luck!