very confused and looking for someone to help

[techguy]

Just wanted to state that I looked over a bunch of threads and not found my answer.

1st question

so im interested in purchasing this, although i did speak of buying Axioms previously some of you convinced me that this is better and from looks of how Polk makes these speakers, i was sold... they are awesome looking:

2x RTi A9s
2x Fxi A6s
1x CSi A6s

so my question is this... the RTi Speakers come setup for biwiring, now logically speaking I buy a receiver with 120Watts of power per channel with 7.1 surround is it possible to take 2 channels from the receiver, one for each of the RTi A9s (lows and highs?) if so, do receivers support these functions to allow you to point out that 2 channels are front loud speakers and would allow you to configure a 5.1 surround sound setup?

more info

2 channels RTi A9 (front left)
2 Channels RTi A9 (front right)
1 channel CSi A6 (center)
1 channel for Fxi A6 (back speaker)
1 channel for Fxi A6 (back speaker)

2nd question
If receivers do have this functionality, what reciever should I buy? I saw a nice Denon for 1600 dollars which had some very nice options.

but my friend tells me i should just buy a 1000 watt stereo amp and use the preamps from the reciver....

please let me know

 

[mike c]

yes there are some receivers that offer that feature ... look for the words "bi-amp" capability in the list of features.
(though this is really a worthless feature)

a 1000w stereo amp is certainly not necessary, 200-250w will be plenty overkill, what's important on amp specs is if they are stable to 4 ohms.

 

[techguy]

yes there are some receivers that offer that feature ... look for the words "bi-amp" capability in the list of features.
(though this is really a worthless feature)

a 1000w stereo amp is certainly not necessary, 200-250w will be plenty overkill, what's important on amp specs is if they are stable to 4 ohms.

Mike you have been the best help anyone can ask for, do you have any receiver recommandations? Also how would you connect those Polk RTi A9s?

so the receiver would be then providing 240 watts to the speaker, 120 to hi and 120 to lo?

 

[mike c]

1600 dollar budget? Denon 3808 or Onkyo 875

yes, that's how it should be wired, high and low, just make sure to remove the jumpers ... the thingies that connect the highs and lows

and then you go to the receiver setup to set the surround backs to send the same signal as the fronts.

you're welcome, but I'm just trying to help with my limited knowledge

 

[techguy]

1600 dollar budget? Denon 3808 or Onkyo 875

yes, that's how it should be wired, high and low, just make sure to remove the jumpers ... the thingies that connect the highs and lows

and then you go to the receiver setup to set the surround backs to send the same signal as the fronts.

you're welcome, but I'm just trying to help with my limited knowledge

hey at this point your the Jedi master.

 

[gus6464]

For $1600 I would get a Yamaha RX-V3800 over that Denon or Onkyo. And for $1000-12000 a Yamaha RX-V1800.

 

[mike c]

For $1600 I would get a Yamaha RX-V3800 over that Denon or Onkyo. And for $1000-12000 a Yamaha RX-V1800.

can you tell us why? i'm in the market for a new receiver myself (maybe next year)

the reason I did not include the yamaha in my recommendations to techguy is the absence of HDMI 1.3

 

[gus6464]

can you tell us why? i'm in the market for a new receiver myself (maybe next year)

the reason I did not include the yamaha in my recommendations to techguy is the absence of HDMI 1.3

Both the 1800 and 3800 have hdmi 1.3 and can decode TrueHD and DTS-HD/MA.

Reason I would rather have the Yamaha over the Onkyo is because over at AVS lots of people are having popping problems and the new Denon build quality doesn't look up to par compared to their old models. After checking them out at magnolia they looked kinda cheaply made with that new faceplate. That and the fact that I am a bit of a Yamaha fan.

But to the OP I would still check out the Denon, Onkyo, and Yamaha and see which one you like best.

 

[mike c]

i see. I don't know where the hell I got the idea the 3800 did not have HDMI 1.3 ... i'll add it to my list

edit: just checked with the local dealer ... the 3800 was WAY too expensive for my taste ... 400-500 bucks more expensive than the denon 3808

 

[gus6464]

i see. I don't know where the hell I got the idea the 3800 did not have HDMI 1.3 ... i'll add it to my list

Plus the 3800 is one sexy looking beast compared to the denon and the onkyo

Only thing I don't like about Yamaha is that YPAO sucks compared to Audessy.

 

[mike c]

i honestly like this look better:

and due to the price difference, I think it looks fantastic!

btw, we have silver models for everything (i like silver better than black)

 

[techguy]

i honestly like this look better:

and due to the price difference, I think it looks fantastic!

btw, we have silver models for everything (i like silver better than black)

yea silver is sexy... I was reading that the Audusy system had problems from the AVS forums...

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver power

Techguy,
No, your Yamaha receiver is not capable of delivering 240 Watts to each speaker. It is rated for that power into 1 or 2 channels not all channels driven. Read or surch for the "All Channels Driven Falicy" for more information. The 4 ohm Polk speakers are a more difficult load for a receiver but you should be fine unless you have a huge room and like to listen are reference levels (>100 dB).

Start with the standard 1 receiver channel per speaker configuration and get your system calibrated properly.

Also note, the surround channels especially a dipole speaker, should go on the sides of the listening position.

 

[techguy]

Techguy,
No, your Yamaha receiver is not capable of delivering 240 Watts to each speaker. It is rated for that power into 1 or 2 channels not all channels driven. Read or surch for the "All Channels Driven Falicy" for more information. The 4 ohm Polk speakers are a more difficult load for a receiver but you should be fine unless you have a huge room and like to listen are reference levels (>100 dB).

Start with the standard 1 receiver channel per speaker configuration and get your system calibrated properly.

Also note, the surround channels especially a dipole speaker, should go on the sides of the listening position.

please explain : Also note, the surround channels especially a dipole speaker, should go on the sides of the listening position

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker Locations

See some of the AH articles on speaker setup:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2203
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/speaker-setup-guidelines/home-theater-speaker-layout-an-essential-guide
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/speaker-setup-guidelines/loudspeaker-placement-guide/?searchterm=dipole speaker

The (side) surround channels go on the sides of the listening and are used in a 5.1 speaker configuration. The Surround Back channels are behind the listening position and are added for 7.1.

A dipole type speaker has tweeters firing out of phase, one forward and one backword. For the proper effect, this type of speaker should be mounted on the side walls in a room that has a front and a back wall.