Do I need more power !!!

[GFOViedo]

Current set up:
AVR: Onkyo HT-R960
Front left / right: Polk Audio Monitor 70
Center: Polk Audio CS2
Sub: Klipsch Reference RW-12d
Surround left / right: Jamo S426
Surround back left / right: Pioneer BS21

I was listening to music and watching some movies, and the sound is good. I am very satisfied, but I turned the volume all the way up, and the sound was still good and clear. However, I noticed that my receiver wasn't really driving my current set up higher. It seems like my AVR doesn't have enough juice to excel at least my front 3.1 set up to its full potential.

I was thinking of may be upgrading the AVR, but now I'm thinking of may be getting an external amplifier.

Any suggestions?

 

[markw]

Does that receiver even have preamp outputs? You might want to check that before asking this question.

 

[ImcLoud]

I don't think it has preouts, but just because your speakers can handle more power doesn't mean you need it, if its satisfying your listening levels why upgrade anything? If you just want to blare something loud, don't upgrade that system buy a paid of pro powered loudspeakers and use them when you want to play loud music...
A paid of these for around $500 is cheaper than buying an amp.. Gemsound PXA115 15" 1200 Watt Professional Active Powered DJ PA Loud Speaker PXA | eBay

 

[GFOViedo]

Does that receiver even have preamp outputs? You might want to check that before asking this question.

Forgot to mention, I will be updating my AVR possibly to Pioneer SC-1222, which has preamp outs.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... I am very satisfied, but I turned the volume all the way up, and the sound was still good and clear. ..

Any suggestions?

Just curious, are you trying to damage your hearing with full power operation???

 

[GFOViedo]

Just curious, are you trying to damage your hearing with full power operation???

I work at a plant where we have to wear hearing protection 100% of the time. So far my hearing still good

However, I would like to have the power and not need it than to need it and not have it!

 

[j_garcia]

If you get a receiver with sufficient power, then you won't need an amp; basically you want to see if your receiver will provide enough power for your needs before just deciding to buy an amp, because you may not need it. I'd replace the front three speakers before buying an amp for them.

 

[GFOViedo]

If you get a receiver with sufficient power, then you won't need an amp; basically you want to see if your receiver will provide enough power for your needs before just deciding to buy an amp, because you may not need it. I'd replace the front three speakers before buying an amp for them.

I just got these speakers and I am replacing the AVR. However, by looking at the prices, it would be more inexpensive to buy an AVR + External amp. Than to buy an AVR that had more watts.

 

[markw]

However, I would like to have the power and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Dude, those speakers will only play so loud witout distorting. If you want louder, then you need more efficient speakers. MUCH more efficient speakers.

 

[j_garcia]

I just got these speakers and I am replacing the AVR. However, by looking at the prices, it would be more inexpensive to buy an AVR + External amp. Than to buy an AVR that had more watts.

No AVR will outclass a solid external amp. In a situation where you need that power, AVR+amp is definitely the way to go. All I am saying is, unless you have a huge room or want excessive levels, you may not need an amp and an amp isn't going to make those speakers sound better than they are.

 

[GranteedEV]

However, I noticed that my receiver wasn't really driving my current set up higher. It seems like my AVR doesn't have enough juice to excel at least my front 3.1 set up to its full potential.

That receiver looks like part of an HTIB setup. It probably has its limits.

That said just giving your speakers more power doesn't mean they'll get louder. You'll inevitably run into the limitations of the enclosure, drivers' thermal power handling, and driver's mechanical power handling. These are real things and you may not YET be sensitive to them, but chances are that you're already hearing them even on 30 to 60 watt peaks in the 100hz to 300hz range especially. Getting speakers with better cabinets, and better drivers, and better crossover design, can get you better results, even if power remains a constant. And of course more efficient speakers are normally a sensible idea, so as to reduce wasted current turned into heat energy.

My advice is this: don't spend much money trying to wring the most out of cheap speakers. It's fun, but pretty much a waste of time. Get better speakers - it's way funner.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I work at a plant where we have to wear hearing protection 100% of the time. So far my hearing still good

However, I would like to have the power and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Yes, but then you will tend to listen louder and over time, your hearing will deteriorate prematurely. So, be careful.

 

[M Code]

Can't really reply until we know more...
1. What is the room size? Height, width, depth?
2. Type of construction materials?
3. Average volume listening level in dB
4. Source material, type? Compression?

Post back and we will comment further..

Just my $0.02...

 

[ahblaza]

I think you're getting all you can with the speakers you have, getting them louder will show their defieciencies and the distortion will have detrimental effects on your ears and attitude. Reminds me of the days when turning the radio up fixed anything wrong with the car. Spend the money on your front stage, an external amp won't fix your situation, sometimes you have to be direct to get the point across, you asked and we listened

 

[GFOViedo]

Dude, those speakers will only play so loud witout distorting. If you want louder, then you need more efficient speakers. MUCH more efficient speakers.

I dont think you get what im trying to do. I just want enough power to drive my speakers a little bit harder.

 

[markw]

We do. I don't think you get what we're trying to say.

I dont think you get what im trying to do. I just want enough power to drive my speakers a little bit harder.

You can feed all the power in the world into those speakers and they won't sound significantly louder or any better.

 

[ahblaza]

I dont think you get what im trying to do. I just want enough power to drive my speakers a little bit harder.

Seriously for what, sit about eight feet closer to them, they should be loud enough then.

 

[PENG]

It seems to me typically when someone asks this kind of question he/she will end up getting an amp regardless of what we say here. As he said he would like to have the power and not need it, so he has to get that amp for sure.

Having said that, Polk Audio recommended 20 to 275W for the Monitor 70 so I think adding an amp will allow him to listen to higher SPL, more than enough to damage his hearing, but obviously he won't do that to himself. He may also perceive better sound quality, mainly just perceive, like most people who is all set to add an amp would, I guess.

It took me years to realize I get much more sound quality improvements by listening only to high quality recordings, after getting a couple of pairs of high quality neutral sounding speakers. Now I can enjoy high quality sound whether I use my old Denon AVR, or my 3 separate systems. If I had realized that sooner, I would not have 3 separate systems, probably still have one though.

 

[GranteedEV]

I dont think you get what im trying to do. I just want enough power to drive my speakers a little bit harder.

Translation: You're just looking to spend money to "redline your RPMs".

What we're saying is, you need to look to shift gears instead.

 

[PENG]

Translation: You're just looking to spend money to "redline your RPMs".

What we're saying is, you need to look to shift gears instead.

Great analogy, but I guess he still wants to redline it just to be sure that he could do so without damaging anything. Once he knows he can do it he may not do it again and may then begin to think about shifting gear. Just guessing though...