What amp to use with JBL L890's?

[Floydian]

I got a pair of JBL L890's that i plan on using mostly for listening to music and sometimes movies/xbox360.

What receiver/amp would you recommend for powering these with a budget of 500$.

 

[Floydian]

Not one answer out there? I only ask cause i dont really understand power ratings (even after trolling this sites faq's and forums) and am not sure how much power i need to run these speakers.

Articles/posts that mention potential damage to speakers from under powering, combined with the fact that my Sony STR - DE595 got extremely hot at high volumes when i connected the JBL's to them has me paranoid about just going out and buying any old amp.

The JBL's manual states a Maximum Recommended Amp Power of 250w and Power Handling (continuous/peak) of 125w/500w.

So what are these specs telling me? Am i right in thinking that this means that my speakers need at least 125w per channel and no more then 250w per channel? What is the 500w peak spec telling me?

throw a noob a bone.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Not one answer out there? I only ask cause i dont really understand power ratings (even after trolling this sites faq's and forums) and am not sure how much power i need to run these speakers.

Articles/posts that mention potential damage to speakers from under powering, combined with the fact that my got extremely hot at high volumes when i connected the JBL's to them has me paranoid about just going out and buying any old amp.

The JBL's manual states a Maximum Recommended Amp Power of 250w and Power Handling (continuous/peak) of 125w/500w.

So what are these specs telling me? Am i right in thinking that this means that my speakers need at least 125w per channel and no more then 250w per channel? What is the 500w peak spec telling me?

throw a noob a bone.

Hi,

I'm a big fan of JBL, so I went and looked up your speakers. They are very sensitive to power with a rating of 91 decibels feeding them 1 watt of power and listening 1 meter away. Any good receiver of 90-150 watts per channel should blow your ears out.

Any speaker can handle good clean power. Its when you crank it up and your amp clips (redlines in auto terms) that damage occurs to the drivers.

I just looked up your Sony, and besides the heat its producing its rated at 100 watts per channel, which should be enough. Does it play loud enough? If not, your looking at buying some serious power $$$$! Sony has an ok rep around here, but most prefer Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, and Onkyo. Harmon Kardon gets an honorable mention. And these are the receivers, getting into Prepros and amps, your looking at big bucks.

Hope this helps Reply back, if your going to buy a new receiver I'll help you choose one (others will too).

 

[Elvis1977]

I got a pair of JBL L890's that i plan on using mostly for listening to music and sometimes movies/xbox360.

What receiver/amp would you recommend for powering these with a budget of 500$.

The H/K 645 is a perfect sounding receiver that you could get for $599 online shipped free and tax free.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The H/K 645 is a perfect sounding receiver that you could get for $599 online shipped free and tax free.

That is a 75 watt receiver. How is that an improvement?

 

[mtrycrafts]

Not one answer out there? I only ask cause i dont really understand power ratings (even after trolling this sites faq's and forums) and am not sure how much power i need to run these speakers.

Articles/posts that mention potential damage to speakers from under powering, combined with the fact that my Sony STR - DE595 got extremely hot at high volumes when i connected the JBL's to them has me paranoid about just going out and buying any old amp.

The JBL's manual states a Maximum Recommended Amp Power of 250w and Power Handling (continuous/peak) of 125w/500w.

So what are these specs telling me? Am i right in thinking that this means that my speakers need at least 125w per channel and no more then 250w per channel? What is the 500w peak spec telling me?

throw a noob a bone.

As Gimpy indicated that receiver should be fine. Perhaps you need more air circulation where that receiver is placed?
How far are you from the speakers? Room size? Have you measure the loud spl levels? How loud? Maybe you want unrealistic volumes? That is not good for your long term health of your hearing.

 

[mike c]

i recommend a receiver that has the features you need with pre-outs and an external amp for your JBL's.

 

[Floydian]

The speakers play plenty loud with my Sony, it was just the heat coming off the receiver that had me concerned. The receiver is just out on a desktop with nothing else around it. It does fine at low volumes but at high volumes it puts out some serious heat. I even started to smell a hint of burning the first time.

The room im setting up in is small so i dont really need all that much power. I was doing research and came across people saying that under powering your speakers can cause damage, that combined with the heat issue had me thinking maybe i needed more power for the JBL's.

So im tempted to just stick with the sony and keep volume relatively low. But would be nice to not have to worry about the heat.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The speakers play plenty loud with my Sony, it was just the heat coming off the receiver that had me concerned. The receiver is just out on a desktop with nothing else around it. It does fine at low volumes but at high volumes it puts out some serious heat. I even started to smell a hint of burning the first time.

The room im setting up in is small so i dont really need all that much power. I was doing research and came across people saying that under powering your speakers can cause damage, that combined with the heat issue had me thinking maybe i needed more power for the JBL's.

So im tempted to just stick with the sony and keep volume relatively low. But would be nice to not have to worry about the heat.

Well, if the amp power is near the speaker's power rating AND you start clipping the amp, high listening levels, demanding speakers, will apply too much power to the speakers and some of the drivers, tweeters can be damaged. If you really need more power, you need to add external amps with more power that the receivers, much more. The HK at 75 watts is not enough, it is less power.

 

[wire]

Well, if the amp power is near the speaker's power rating AND you start clipping the amp, high listening levels, demanding speakers, will apply too much power to the speakers and some of the drivers, tweeters can be damaged. If you really need more power, you need to add external amps with more power that the receivers, much more. The HK at 75 watts is not enough, it is less power.

External maybe they way to go , look on Audiogone or E prey . There are alot of brands out there and some go for next nothing ( i just picked up a AV505 Carver on Audiogone for $199.00 , not the exact amp your looking for , you want a 2 channel , but you can fined bargins if you look . )

 

[Elvis1977]

Well, if the amp power is near the speaker's power rating AND you start clipping the amp, high listening levels, demanding speakers, will apply too much power to the speakers and some of the drivers, tweeters can be damaged. If you really need more power, you need to add external amps with more power that the receivers, much more. The HK at 75 watts is not enough, it is less power.

You are full of ****. That h/k 645 at 75 wats of Real power per channel at all channels driven will beat any 100-130 watt denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo. I done lots of blind testing to prove it. Plus. JBL and H/k sound great together.

 

[mike c]

You are full of ****. That h/k 645 at 75 wats of Real power per channel at all channels driven will beat any 100-130 watt denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo. I done lots of blind testing to prove it. Plus. JBL and H/k sound great together.

100 is less than 75?

 

[wire]

You are full of ****. That h/k 645 at 75 wats of Real power per channel at all channels driven will beat any 100-130 watt denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo. I done lots of blind testing to prove it. Plus. JBL and H/k sound great together.

I agree to a point . H/K power is abit more dynamic or head room or what ever you want to call it , than Yammy , its got more Punch . Ive done the blind testing also , im not sure about Onkyo , but Denon has ok power sections .
I still say look for a older NAD , H/K or Carver stand alone Amp and go with a pre , if you use it mostly for music , you will need the extra power .

 

[mike c]

if we're talking about dynamic power ... show us measurements of HK receivers showing one channel driven beating other receivers of the same price.

i own HK btw, so I don't hate HK ... but I hate false advertising.

 

[mtrycrafts]

You are full of ****. That h/k 645 at 75 wats of Real power per channel at all channels driven will beat any 100-130 watt denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo. I done lots of blind testing to prove it. Plus. JBL and H/k sound great together.

Hey, I might be full of something but what you suggested is not one of them; I take care of my body.

As to your claims, well, it is dubious at best.
Tell me which material, software, that demanded full power to all channels at the same instant? Be specific please. Speculating doesn't count
Then, tell me how you did your so called blind testing? Did you bother to level match to .1 dB spl at the speakers? How did you do this?
How many correct guesses did you get right???
And, since well designed amps, operating within their design specs, low output impedance are audibly are the same under DBT protocol, I'd say yours was flawed.

ps.
may want to read the 'All Channels Driven Fallacy post at the top of the page.

 

[Elvis1977]

Hey, I might be full of something but what you suggested is not one of them; I take care of my body.

As to your claims, well, it is dubious at best.
Tell me which material, software, that demanded full power to all channels at the same instant? Be specific please. Speculating doesn't count
Then, tell me how you did your so called blind testing? Did you bother to level match to .1 dB spl at the speakers? How did you do this?
How many correct guesses did you get right???
And, since well designed amps, operating within their design specs, low output impedance are audibly are the same under DBT protocol, I'd say yours was flawed.

ps.
may want to read the 'All Channels Driven Fallacy post at the top of the page.

Did not mean to step on your toe. But listen, I have read the all channels post and understand your concerns. All I can say is I have done numerous, rigerous tests in my home theater comparing Denon, H/K, and Onkyo receivers with the same distances, etc. And there is just something about H/K receivers that stand out to be cleaner and stronger. When you activate the Logic 7 then your jaw hits the floor. The sound is always warm and smooth and never harsh at high volumes. The midrange is stable and in control. I too could not believe this when I compared the h/k 645 to the Denon 4306. I thought the denon would kick the pants off the h/k. But, clearly it did not. The denon 4306 is rated at 130/channel. Also, remember the 645 weighs in at 41 lbs which is usually more than many 100/channel amps out there. When listening to Music material H/k outclasses the other brands by far for sure.

 

[mike c]

Logic 7 is some sort of a DSP.

that's like choosing between cars because the sales agent is pretty. it's got nothing to do with the hardware.

if you prefer the Logic 7 sound, doesn't mean many people will ... I don't.

 

[Elvis1977]

Logic 7 is some sort of a DSP.

that's like choosing between cars because the sales agent is pretty. it's got nothing to do with the hardware.

if you prefer the Logic 7 sound, doesn't mean many people will ... I don't.

Your the only person I know who doesn't like it. Hey, I like your avatar.

 

[Elvis1977]

if we're talking about dynamic power ... show us measurements of HK receivers showing one channel driven beating other receivers of the same price.

i own HK btw, so I don't hate HK ... but I hate false advertising.

I think the Denon 4306 at 130w/channel is FALSE ADVERTISING for sure.
The 645 at 75 wpc is more realistic.

 

[mike c]

I think the Denon 4306 at 130w/channel is FALSE ADVERTISING for sure.
The 645 at 75 wpc is more realistic.

but each channel of denon or yamaha is capable of 130wpc
each channel of the 645 can do around 75wpc

the yamaha/denon might not be all channels driven, but I'd say they were more dynamic than HK simply because they have more power output before clipping.

HK's claim that their 75w is better than 100wpc of denon's or yamahas is just as guilty of false advertising. in fact, it shows me that they think I can't count.

97, 98, 99, 75