Confused by what receiver I need

[Wadeclan]

First, thanks for taking the time to read and respond. Here' s the question. I just purchased a condo that has a media room already finished. However, the receiver is toast. I checked all of the speakers using and old receiver and they work fine. Not being very educated in this stuff, I need help in choosing a new receiver. The room has the following equipment

On the back wall is 3 speakers. Polk audio fx13
2 towers Polk LSI 15
Center channel Polk CSI 5
2 Martin Logan subs. Appear to be 8"

What receiver don't need? Bluetooth would be nice but not necessary.

 

[dmaly88]

What is your Budget?

 

[Wadeclan]

What is your Budget?

Best bang for as little as possible. This room will not be used a lot.

 

[markw]

You appear to be running a 6.i setup with two subs, not a difficult slot to fill.

The right and left speakers on the back would be your surrounds and the center one would be the 6th channel.

The two towers and center would be your front three speakers.

the subs can both be run offthe came sub output if needed.

Like I said earlier, virtually any 7 channel receiver will work well in six channel mode and since you're not too forthcoming about a price range, I'll just say that virtually any receiver you can find at Accessories4less will suit your needs.

 

[tcarcio]

The answer I believe is the best you can afford that has the options you want. You might check out Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!

 

[GIEGAR]

Are these actually the 3 speakers across the back wall: F/Xi30 - Surrounds | Polk Audio®?

Personally, I would forget about the centre rear on the back wall and run a 5 speaker/2 sub setup. Firstly, there's little native 6.1 channel content.

Secondly, audio content for a centre rear can be either derived from the surround channels (4 & 5) via post processing such as Dolby ProLogicII or downmixed from the rear channel (6 & 7) information of native 7.1 content (also limited). The correct position for surround speakers (channels 4 & 5) is at 90 to 110 degrees to the viewing axis. So derived or downmixed audio directed to the rear centre speaker is unlikely to work as intended with the 3 dipole/bipole speakers as currently positioned across the back wall. Would you consider relocating the surround speakers?

More info on speaker layout is here: Basic Home Theater AV Set Up Guide - Hooking It All Up | Audioholics


Accessories4less is a good recommendation.

In line with above, my recommendation would be this factory refurbished ONKYO TX-NR525 5.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less for $260 (+ shipping). It has a solid level of power, a reasonable level of Audyssey room correction, is Bluetooth and WiFi capable (with optional adapters) and has dual subwoofer pre-outs.

 

[PENG]

However, the receiver is toast.

What model is that receiver? That may tell us something..

I checked all of the speakers using and old receiver and they work fine. Not being very educated in this stuff, I need help in choosing a new receiver. The room has the following equipment

On the back wall is 3 speakers. Polk audio fx13
2 towers Polk LSI 15
Center channel Polk CSI 5
2 Martin Logan subs. Appear to be 8"

What receiver don't need? Bluetooth would be nice but not necessary.

[/QUOTE]

This one DENON AVR-4311CI 9.2 Channel Network Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less is 4 ohm rated, the LSI 15 towers are 4 ohms rated. In a condo, if I can assume you won't be listening too loud and also assume you don't listen to 7 channel stereo mode, then any mid range 7.1 or 7.2 Yamaha, Denon or Marantz AVR should be fine and you can just go with the best feature set for your needs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get the Denon X4000, which you could get for around $900-$950 if you call Electronics Expo on the phone.

It will probably be plenty of power, especially if you are using 5.1/5.2 surround mode. But in case it is not enough power for whatever rare reasons, you could always add an external amp later if necessary.

 

[Wadeclan]

Wow, I am really impressed with the knowledge and courtesy of the members of this board. For those responded, thank you very much.

To answer a few of the questions 1. Existing non working receiver is a Denon avr 2805. 2. The 3 rear speakers are the Polk fx 13. They are mounted at approx. 5' off the floor. Amazing how many receivers are available and difficult for a laymen to understand. I like the idea of 300-500 and Bluetooth.

 

[GIEGAR]

... I like the idea of 300-500 and Bluetooth.

Right!

New: Denon AVR-X1100W IN-Command 7.2 channel home theater receiver with built in Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, and Apple AirPlay® at Crutchfield.com ($500 shipped). Solid power and a step up to Audyssey MultEQ XT. Dual pre-outs for your two subs. You will probably be quoted less if you ring around the usual suspects.

Factory refurbished: Marantz SR5007 100W x 7 Networking Theater Receiver with AirPlay® 3D 4K | Accessories4less ($450 + shipping) Marginally more power. Same Audyssey MultEQ XT. Bluetooth capable with optional adapter (extra). Dual sub pre-outs.

I don't think you need to be spending $900 - $1000 for occasional, casual use.

 

[Goliath]

In a condo, if I can assume you won't be listening too loud and also assume you don't listen to 7 channel stereo mode, then any mid range 7.1 or 7.2 Yamaha, Denon or Marantz AVR should be fine and you can just go with the best feature set for your needs.

Interestingly enough, the new bottom-end Denon X1100 is "operationally stable down to 4 ohms", according to the literature on their website. They are "equipped with low impedance drive capability".

 

[PENG]

Interestingly enough, the new bottom-end Denon X1100 is "operationally stable down to 4 ohms", according to the literature on their website. They are "equipped with low impedance drive capability".

In a condo, if used carefully, I guess that would be fine especially now we know the budget.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

HTM 1% THD power output 2Ch 8 ohm/ 2Ch 4 ohm
$350 Denon 1612: 119W/142W
$330 Pioneer 821: 110W/151W
$230 Sony 520: 142W/161W

Even a $230 Sony AVR is stable to 4 ohms (161WPC x 2Ch continuous 4 ohms @ 1% THD).

Probably okay as long as the volume is sensible.

 

[Goliath]

HTM 1% THD power output 2Ch 8 ohm/ 2Ch 4 ohm
$350 Denon 1612: 119W/142W
$330 Pioneer 821: 110W/151W
$230 Sony 520: 142W/161W

Even a $230 Sony AVR is stable to 4 ohms (161WPC x 2Ch continuous 4 ohms @ 1% THD).

Probably okay as long as the volume is sensible.

That's my point. None of this is news, so long as you do not exceed the output at 4 ohms, or 3 ohms, or 2 ohms, or 1 ohms. Any AVR can handle a 3 ohm dip at some output level.

Of course, it may have troubles at full rated power, depending on the frequency of the dip, and impedance testing is performed at full rated power, so ... problem averted, sort of, kind of, most of the time.

Now, amplifier manufacturers are claiming 4 ohm stable, or operationally stable down to 4 ohms with entry-level AVRs, which is one step closer towards the truth. They could claim 3 ohm stable, or operationally stable down to 3 ohms and they wouldn't necessarily be wrong!

So if someone buys a receiver now, they'll go "hey, wait a second, receiver is operationally functional down to 3 ohms, OMG, woweee! But again, it's nothing new. All depends on the volume and the frequency of the dip.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That's my point. None of this is news, so long as you do not exceed the output at 4 ohms, or 3 ohms, or 2 ohms, or 1 ohms. Any AVR can handle a 3 ohm dip at some output level.

Of course, it may have troubles at full rated power, depending on the frequency of the dip, and impedance testing is performed at full rated power, so ... problem averted, sort of, kind of, most of the time.

Now, amplifier manufacturers are claiming 4 ohm stable, or operationally stable down to 4 ohms with entry-level AVRs, which is one step closer towards the truth. They could claim 3 ohm stable, or operationally stable down to 3 ohms and they wouldn't necessarily be wrong!

So if someone buys a receiver now, they'll go "hey, wait a second, receiver is operationally functional down to 3 ohms, OMG, woweee! But again, it's nothing new. All depends on the volume and the frequency of the dip.

Yeah, I think they would sell better if they make the 2 ohm claim with the disclosure "as long as you don't exceed the power rating". I guess they have to weigh the cost (law suit) vs benefit (sales).

That would be interesting.