Which receiver should I get?

D

DualClutch

Audioholic Intern
Hey, I am new to the forums, so please mind this newbie question. I know I am asking about a low-end setup here, but it's a start for me. I just bought a pair of Yamaha 6490 bookshelf speakers. I am thinking of getting either the Yamaha RX-397 receiver or the Yamaha RX-497 receiver. I was wondering which receiver would suit the speakers better without causing damage at moderate to mid. volume levels.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Either receiver will work fine with those speakers. Don't worry to much about damaging your speakers. If you turn the volume far enough for the speakers to sound bad you may have a problem, but most people turn it down when that happens. So long as you despise distortion as much as the rest of us you will be OK.:)
 
D

DualClutch

Audioholic Intern
So, the 75 watts RMS from the 497 won't be too much for the speakers, huh?
 
J

Johnd

Audioholic Samurai
Not unless you crank the volume as Seth wrote.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
So, the 75 watts RMS from the 497 won't be too much for the speakers, huh?
Try not to get to wrapped up in power ratings. With speakers like that you will rarely be using more than 10-20 watts at substantial levels of output.:)
 
D

DualClutch

Audioholic Intern
Ok, sounds good. Thanks for the great advice everyone. It's great that I can get replies so quickly here. My first post experience here has been a great one. Thanks again.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Ok, sounds good. Thanks for the great advice everyone. It's great that I can get replies so quickly here. My first post experience here has been a great one. Thanks again.
One is glad to be of service.
 
D

DualClutch

Audioholic Intern
Not to beat a dead horse, but I am a bit confused when you say I will only be using 10-20 watts with those speakers. Please explain. Sorry.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Not to beat a dead horse, but I am a bit confused when you say I will only be using 10-20 watts with those speakers. Please explain. Sorry.
The efficiency rating on those speakers is 90dB/1watt/1meter. This means the speaker will output 90 decibels using 1 watt at a distance of 1 meter from the speaker. 90 decibels is supposed to be approximately the noise level of power tools or a blender at the same distance (1 meter). In order to achieve 3 more decibels the wattage must double. So we increase the power to 2 watts to attain 93 decibels. We double up to 4 watts to get 96 decibels, 8 watts/99 decibels, and so on. At 100 decibels is about the level of a chainsaw from a meter, and 110 decibels is unsafe if exposed for prolonged amounts of time, such as being right next the loudspeakers at a concert. So for high output the nominal amount of wattage use should be around 10-20 watts, with transients (drum wack, low bass from a synth, explosions).

Lower frequencies usually impose lower impedance and more power is demanded. The playback of a drum wack may take 50 watts when you are using only 10 watts nominally, but this is very short term. Truth be told, most receivers, even ones rated at 100 watts per channel, can't substain 50 watts continuous for long periods of time without stress.:)
 
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