Looking for cost effective amp for my set-up any help much appreciated.

[MAXinAZ]

My current setup - Usage is probably 70% movies and 30% music


Sony Bravia XBR-65X850C
Onkyo AV Receiver TX-NR676 100W per channel (decent low end receiver)
Klipsch RP-8000F (Mains) Floor Standing Speakers - Just got these
Klipsch Reference RC-62 II (Center)
Klipsch Synergy Sub 12HGB 300W
Polk Audio RC80i 2-way In-Ceiling Speakers (4 of them)
Compared to most of you guys this would be low end entry level stuff.

I have read and seen a lot of people saying these RP8000’s sound even better with more juice. So any help for cost effective solution would be great. And don’t laugh but not even sure how to incorporate/wire one since never used one before.

I have never ran anything more than Receivers so I am total noob in this venture. I have ran Def Techs primarily for last 25 years but since the ones I like ran 2-3 times as much as the RP8000’s so they were not in the budget this time around. These are rather large in person so was pleasantly surprised wife didn’t say a word. I was looking at these and the JBL 590’s since they were great price also but seen they were even bigger and those were out. They are in a Great Room, Kitchen, Dining room (open flor plan) so I knew lot of space big speakers but just not 590’s BIG for aesthetics.

I have been playing all kinds of music to feel them out at pretty good volume as well. And at one point I said to my wife sounds good right and she said needs more bass pretty sure it was Stairway to Heaven so I said its not rap song. I also told her no built in subs any longer. The Onkyo receiver plays nice while watching movies or when just playing the RP8000’s but if I had the sub while on bluetooth or airplay it tends to cut out at volumes anymore than low, not sure why.

Sorry for long first post just trying to give some details. Probably too much info.

 

[MAXinAZ]

I have been seeing a few things on Crown and Yamaha online and YouTube but like I said I have 0 knowledge on adding any kind of amps.

 

[everettT]

My current setup - Usage is probably 70% movies and 30% music


Sony Bravia XBR-65X850C
Onkyo AV Receiver TX-NR676 100W per channel (decent low end receiver)
Klipsch RP-8000F (Mains) Floor Standing Speakers - Just got these
Klipsch Reference RC-62 II (Center)
Klipsch Synergy Sub 12HGB 300W
Polk Audio RC80i 2-way In-Ceiling Speakers (4 of them)
Compared to most of you guys this would be low end entry level stuff.

I have read and seen a lot of people saying these RP8000’s sound even better with more juice. So any help for cost effective solution would be great. And don’t laugh but not even sure how to incorporate/wire one since never used one before.

I have never ran anything more than Receivers so I am total noob in this venture. I have ran Def Techs primarily for last 25 years but since the ones I like ran 2-3 times as much as the RP8000’s so they were not in the budget this time around. These are rather large in person so was pleasantly surprised wife didn’t say a word. I was looking at these and the JBL 590’s since they were great price also but seen they were even bigger and those were out. They are in a Great Room, Kitchen, Dining room (open flor plan) so I knew lot of space big speakers but just not 590’s BIG for aesthetics.

I have been playing all kinds of music to feel them out at pretty good volume as well. And at one point I said to my wife sounds good right and she said needs more bass pretty sure it was Stairway to Heaven so I said its not rap song. I also told her no built in subs any longer. The Onkyo receiver plays nice while watching movies or when just playing the RP8000’s but if I had the sub while on bluetooth or airplay it tends to cut out at volumes anymore than low, not sure why. I was trying to get extra bass for her.

Sorry for long first post just trying to give some details. Probably too much info.

Let's assume that Klipsch is fudging their sensitivity spec and we assume that its 91dbs, at a distance of 10' your speakers will hit 105dbs. That's very loud and above the reference spec. To gain gain just 3dbs you would need to move up a 200wpc amp. Adding more power to a speaker will not change the amount of bass you get out of it, just means it will play louder.

Peak SPL Calculator

If I were you, I'd upgrade the sub so you can get that tactical feel your wife mentioned.

 

[MAXinAZ]

Thanks for responding Everett. I just have been reading and watching some YouTube videos where people say they get a better sound from their speakers I guess more refined. The sub is on small end based on my Def Techs always having built in Subs. It is not a beast by no means but the reviews were great and it does have some thump. I have never heard SVS in person so don’t know what real power is.

The Sub is mainly for movies. I think the speakers sound fine for music for the few days I have had them.

But I was just thinking of moving to next step with some sort of AMP if cost effective and would make overall difference in sound quality.

 

[pattyt21]

Trust me, your amp is just fine, and that's a pretty decent budget system. If you were running a $200 sony reciever, then yes, there will be a difference, and agree with the guy above, might want to look into a sub that doesn't sound as "thin". Will you hear a difference between your $600 onkyo and a $2k Marantz, pretty likely, will you hear a bigger difference with proper setup? Absolutely. You said in your original post your not too confident in setup. Did you try to run a auto setup with the microphone? Is your sub level and crossovers set correctly? And this is all free stuff to play with. A lot of good people on here will advise against you waisting money on gear and point you in the right direction. Setup is huge.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[pattyt21]

Wait, also, what cuts out? The sub or the main speakers?

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[PENG]

Let's assume that Klipsch is fudging their sensitivity spec and we assume that its 91dbs, at a distance of 10' your speakers will hit 105dbs. That's very loud and above the reference spec. To gain gain just 3dbs you would need to move up a 200wpc amp. Adding more power to a speaker will not change the amount of bass you get out of it, just means it will play louder.

Peak SPL Calculator

If I were you, I'd upgrade the sub so you can get that tactical feel your wife mentioned.

I think you are right about the fudging, having seen a few review/measurements, it does seem that whatever Klipsch's recent models claimed, subtract 6 dB sensitivity should get one in the ball park, for the purpose of figuring out power requirements or spl using online calculators. I think we need to emphasize this point for a while just so more Klipsch users don't under estimate their amplifier needs, and there seem to be tons of Klipsch users.

 

[Pogre]

Thanks for responding Everett. I just have been reading and watching some YouTube videos where people say they get a better sound from their speakers I guess more refined. The sub is on small end based on my Def Techs always having built in Subs. It is not a beast by no means but the reviews were great and it does have some thump. I have never heard SVS in person so don’t know what real power is.

The Sub is mainly for movies. I think the speakers sound fine for music for the few days I have had them.

But I was just thinking of moving to next step with some sort of AMP if cost effective and would make overall difference in sound quality.

An amp will not be a cost effective way to improve your sound quality. You really need to double your power for any significant gains, and even then you're not doing anything for your sq, just gaining 3 dB of headroom.

If you want a real, tangible, audible sonic improvement I'd be looking at replacing that sub!

 

[KEW]

EverettT has it right. Your Onkyo has enough power to drive those speakers beyond reference level (and I know no one who listens at that level...at least sober)!
Get one of these instead:

RSL Speedwoofer 10S - RSL Speakers

rslspeakers.com

Klipsch makes a couple of decent subs, but unfortunately, your is not one of them. The one I linked above will do a great job for $400; however, if you want to match the Klipsch look, you are talking about $650 for one of these:

Klipsch Reference R-112SW

Powered subwoofer, wireless adapter optional

www.crutchfield.com

It is your lucky day! This model Klipsch is on sale - reduced to $400. I would jump on that if I were you!
Actually buying a pair would be ideal if you have the coin.

That will make a clear audible difference. Adding an amp would be a waste ... although many convince themselves that it made a difference, if they took measurements it would show that they experienced a placebo effect - where taking the time to pick out an amp, spending the money, and hooking it all up gives them the expectation that they have improved the sound quality. Our audio memory is not very good and the excitement/expectation influences our perception more than any actual change in sound. Assuming it has been at least several minutes since you heard the old system, it is easy to believe adding an amp make a huge difference.
However, several of us have been down this path (with very expensive amps) then just for fun (or when that new amp quit working) hooked it back up the old way only to find it sounded just as good without the new amp - the "honeymoon" was over!

 

[Pogre]

Thanks for responding Everett. I just have been reading and watching some YouTube videos where people say they get a better sound from their speakers I guess more refined. The sub is on small end based on my Def Techs always having built in Subs. It is not a beast by no means but the reviews were great and it does have some thump. I have never heard SVS in person so don’t know what real power is.

The Sub is mainly for movies. I think the speakers sound fine for music for the few days I have had them.

But I was just thinking of moving to next step with some sort of AMP if cost effective and would make overall difference in sound quality.

And hey, where in AZ are you? I live in Mesa! I might could maybe set up a demo with the Ultra towers if you wanna check 'em out.

 

[everettT]

Thanks for responding Everett. I just have been reading and watching some YouTube videos where people say they get a better sound from their speakers I guess more refined. The sub is on small end based on my Def Techs always having built in Subs. It is not a beast by no means but the reviews were great and it does have some thump. I have never heard SVS in person so don’t know what real power is.

The Sub is mainly for movies. I think the speakers sound fine for music for the few days I have had them.

But I was just thinking of moving to next step with some sort of AMP if cost effective and would make overall difference in sound quality.

Unless you're driving the speakers into clipping, no amp is needed. Amps should be the last part of the audio experience, speakers and subs are what you hear. No amp will change that unless your speakers have a difficult load or is not sufficient to drive your speakers to the levels you want and is going into clipping, neither of which is your case. Most of what you hear from people is just percieved bias.

 

[Pogre]

You know, I can pretty easily demo the difference between my avr by itself and with the amp too. You can see it for yourself.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'm with those saying work on the sub(s) first and I'd get away from Klipsch subs altogether myself (nor would I call the powered woofers in DT speakers "subs"). Just how loud do you crank things, tho?

 

[mazersteven]

A "Real" subwoofer will absolutely improve your HT/Music Experience.

And in the future if you ever are in the market for good Budget Amps

Model 2220

Mono? Mini? Micro? Magnificent? Whatever that M is, this is one UNREAL little single-channel amp. 200 Watts (conservatively!) into a 3-inch chassis with balanced input stage to offer Common Mode Rejection! MANUAL See Front Panel Huge See Rear Panel Huge

outlawaudio.com

AUDIO AMPLIFIERS - HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more!

Monoprice, Inc. (DBA. MonoPrice.com) specializes in the wholesale distribution of world class cable assemblies for home theater, PC, and high technology industries. MonoPrice.com offers a wide range of products from standard PC products, network cables, and HDMI cables to custom cable assemblies...

www.monoprice.com

 

[MAXinAZ]

Trust me, your amp is just fine, and that's a pretty decent budget system. If you were running a $200 sony reciever, then yes, there will be a difference, and agree with the guy above, might want to look into a sub that doesn't sound as "thin". Will you hear a difference between your $600 onkyo and a $2k Marantz, pretty likely, will you hear a bigger difference with proper setup? Absolutely. You said in your original post your not too confident in setup. Did you try to run a auto setup with the microphone? Is your sub level and crossovers set correctly? And this is all free stuff to play with. A lot of good people on here will advise against you waisting money on gear and point you in the right direction. Setup is huge.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

Thank you Patty and I meant no knowledge on running audio amps for home system and otherwise I have had home systems for over 25 years. I did misplace my setup up mic during move though so I did not run the mic since I moved into new house.

 

[MAXinAZ]

Wait, also, what cuts out? The sub or the main speakers?

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

It didn’t seem like clipping I have heard before but something was going on I need to play with again just been busy so will need play around with settings again.

 

[MAXinAZ]

And hey, where in AZ are you? I live in Mesa! I might could maybe set up a demo with the Ultra towers if you wanna check 'em out.

Thanks Pogre & Kew & Mazersteven and I’m in North Peoria so quite a ways away. It seems everyone leaning towards sub. So since this one is about 6 months old only I’m wondering if I could add a additional one to this one. I’m not going to waste money or I could try to sell since very highly and Positively reviewed online for the money just not here.

 

[MAXinAZ]

EverettT has it right. Your Onkyo has enough power to drive those speakers beyond reference level (and I know no one who listens at that level...at least sober)!
Get one of these instead:

RSL Speedwoofer 10S - RSL Speakers

rslspeakers.com

Klipsch makes a couple of decent subs, but unfortunately, your is not one of them. The one I linked above will do a great job for $400; however, if you want to match the Klipsch look, you are talking about $650 for one of these:

Klipsch Reference R-112SW

Powered subwoofer, wireless adapter optional

www.crutchfield.com

It is your lucky day! This model Klipsch is on sale - reduced to $400. I would jump on that if I were you!
Actually buying a pair would be ideal if you have the coin.

That will make a clear audible difference. Adding an amp would be a waste ... although many convince themselves that it made a difference, if they took measurements it would show that they experienced a placebo effect - where taking the time to pick out an amp, spending the money, and hooking it all up gives them the expectation that they have improved the sound quality. Our audio memory is not very good and the excitement/expectation influences our perception more than any actual change in sound. Assuming it has been at least several minutes since you heard the old system, it is easy to believe adding an amp make a huge difference.
However, several of us have been down this path (with very expensive amps) then just for fun (or when that new amp quit working) hooked it back up the old way only to find it sounded just as good without the new amp - the "honeymoon" was over!

Both seem like pretty good options. The Speedwoofer is interesting as well. I don’t care about matching the Sub if one is better. I always see good things about SVS Sub products as well.

 

[MAXinAZ]

Also if I was to add a Amp (2 channel) if I really was concerned with powering the RP8000’s for music would you guys suggest extra power to new sub(s) help to.
And also does any one suggest also powering the rest of my setup for movies or since I have lower end stuff or no point.

 

[MAXinAZ]

I'm with those saying work on the sub(s) first and I'd get away from Klipsch subs altogether myself (nor would I call the powered woofers in DT speakers "subs"). Just how loud do you crank things, tho?

Ok thanks it seems I need to hear some real sub woofers in person.