PSB Stratus Gold i

[griffinconst]

Will my Onkyo 805 (130 wts) be enough to power these? Everything I read about them says they are very very power hungry. Specs say they take as little as 30 wts but most reviews say no recievers, and high power amps only.
Does anyone know about these?
Thanks

[deedubb]

It's not so much about power as almost anything will run these speakers. However, they are rated at 4 ohm and will at times drop below 4, so it's more to do with having a high current receiver or amp. A lot of receivers can't handle 4 ohms. I don't know about yours. At low volumes, you'll be fine. At very high volumes, your receiver might shut down. If this is the case, you'll need a separate amp but you can always use the receiver as the pre-amp.

You'll love those speakers!

[griffinconst]

My amp does have a 4 ohm setting. That in mind, do you think the goldi's will sound good with my 130wt. Onkyo receiver?
Thanks

[no. 5]

Are these (http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/704/index.html) the speakers in question?

If so, an external amplifier may be a good idea; according to Stereophile's measurements they drop below 3 ohms.

[jostenmeat]

griffin, I have an 805 as a preamp, and I also have PSB speakers.

I think you'll be fine as long as your volumes are moderate. Depending on what kind of levels you want, and how far you sit from the speakers, you might be just fine.

Just use your ears. If it EVER sounds like there is straining, turn it down. OTOH, if it sounds great as it is, well, there ya go.

The 805 has a very beefy mch amp section for a receiver. You couldn't find anything stronger, I believe, for the money spent.

[griffinconst]

Josten,
I do like to listen at decent levels sometimes. Would one consider the
+2.0db setting super loud. It is loud but "loud" can be subjective. What do you think?

[jostenmeat]

Josten,
I do like to listen at decent levels sometimes. Would one consider the
+2.0db setting super loud. It is loud but "loud" can be subjective. What do you think?

If that were to mean 2 db above reference level, then yeah, that is super duper loud.

I would start budgeting for an outboard amp, pronto.

While the 805 is very beefy, people still do and have driven the unit into protection mode, and have done so with volumes considerably less than "above reference".

[griffinconst]

I know that you use your 805 as a preamp but do you know, is the +0 db volume setting reference level?

[jostenmeat]

I know that you use your 805 as a preamp but do you know, is the +0 db volume setting reference level?

If you properly calibrated with XT, yes, 0 will be within +/- 2db of reference level.

Which is loud. :eek: :D :eek:

[griffinconst]

I've heard reference level refered to a million times. What does it actually mean?

[jostenmeat]

I don't know exactly, technically. It essentially means at 0, speakers are at 105 db, and subwoofer at 115, at the listening position.

THX calibrates at 75 db (-30 from "reference"). I guess some calibrate with/at 85, but that was causing too much hearing damage or something.

Not many systems can achieve reference levels (at least without choking out).

[griffinconst]

I don't know exactly, technically. It essentially means at 0, speakers are at 105 db, and subwoofer at 115, at the listening position.

THX calibrates at 75 db (-30 from "reference"). I guess some calibrate with/at 85, but that was causing too much hearing damage or something.

Not many systems can achieve reference levels (at least without choking out).

Thanks bud!

[Jeff R.]

Griffin

I don't think you will have an issue. I have the 805 running my large MB Quart towers that are very inefficient 4 ohm speakers and have no issues. I was told to keep the reciever in the 6-8 Ohm speaker setting despite running the 4 ohm speakers. So far I have cranked it loud for extented times, watched movies in surround sound at riduculous volume levels and I have not experienced and reciever shutdown conditions. It will run hot but just keep it in a location with some air circulation and you should be fine.

[griffinconst]

Thanks a lot Jeff.
I was afraid of these because of my receiver and lost them in the auction.
It's good to know for the future though.
Everyone tells me that my Onkyo has an excellent amp. I was gonna buy a 606 but my buddie convinced me that the 805 was so much better, I went ahead and got it.
Got a great deal from Onkyo.com. I paid less for a referb. 805 than a new 606.

[Jeff R.]

I also also bought direct from Onkyo - clubonkyo.com. So far I have been happy with the performance, I almost bought the 806 and luckliy the folk on this site recommended the 805 since it has the stronger amp. Good luck speaker shopping.