At what point are speakers to large for just a receiver?

[quadlog]

I've looked around the newbie section, the main page here and some other places but I never found the answer.

As it stands I'm just going to power the speakers with the Denon 2805 I purchased a week ago and I'm having a hard time deciding on what Paradigm package I want to purchase. I've listened to enough manufacturers over the past couple of months and I'm sticking with Paradigm.

The thing is I have a budget to stick to but I don't want to feel like I short changed myself in the sound department.

Here's my quick budget.

$1000.00 for the receiver (paid for)
$2500.00 for the Infocus 4805 and a 106" dalite screen.
$2000.00 for the couch
$300.00 to build the wall for the screen
$500.00 for connections (Already have most of the connections except for the long *** component cable, speaker wire and power conditioner/surge protector)


This only leaves me with around $2700.00 for all the speakers and thus brings me to the original question - how big can I go with my receiver?

I only have 100W per channel available so it pointless to go with say the Paradigm monitor 3 series? Are those too much for my receiver to handle on their own? What's the difference between "suitable amplifier power range" and "maximum input power"?

I don't want to go too small and be disappointed with the sound but there has to be a point of diminishing returns on going bigger - especially within my limited budget.

 

[Az B]

Maximum power is mostly just marketing. Americans are turned on by big power numbers. I mean, it's a guideline for how much power they can handle before they're damaged, but usually speakers are damaged by an amplifier trying to hard and clipping.

Really what's important is efficiency of the speakers as they're matched to the amps. For example, my mains are active horns and have an efficiency of over 103db. That means with only 5 watts I can get clean SPLs nearly into the 120db area.

OTOH, a speaker with an efficiency of 85db will need a much more powerful amplifier to reach even 95db.

The Monitor 3s are pretty efficient and should work fine with that receiver. To get a little more out of them, make sure all the mains are set to small and get a bigger sub.

 

[dloweman]

quadlog,
I have the monitor 7's, cc370, titans, and an hsu vtf2-mk2 sub and am powering them with a $200 kenwood receiver and they sound great!!! I am hoping to save up and get the denon 2805 some time soon. So, in other words the 2805 is definately enough power for the paradigms as they are efficient speakers. I would suggest my exact speaker setup, except get the adp370s as rears!!! Great choice on HT setup and good luck
derek

 

[quadlog]

Thanks for the input folks. I can tell you it's been one hell of a learning adventure trying to select components - especially with my extremely limited knowledge of audio/video.

I was getting advice from 10 different people and I received 10 different manufacturer recommendations. I finally had to just listen for myself to find what I liked but I'm more than wary about the sales personal in electronic stores. One guy told me I was an idiot for looking at the infocus projector and to stay away from Paradigm.

 

[sjdgpt]

And what did he sell? Another brand?

Oh, now I see the problem.


I just love salesmen (oh shucks, I am one of them).

Seriously, isn't a good salesman a person that can recognize the needs of the customer, and realize that his/her product is inappropriate for the customer and be willing to loose the sale, even the customer if need be, to maintain his/her reputation of providing honest advice and support?


Oops, sorry, I must be living in a foreign country.

 

[sCiEnT]

For $2700 you should be able to get yourself some nice Paradigm Reference speakers. I would say maybe the Studio 100, CC470 and ADP370 (which is not reference).

 

[flyv65]

Sorry, I've got no information on the Paradigms for you, but I *can* recommend you check out www.bluejeanscable.com for the component cable you're looking for. I just received my order from them and I'm very pleased with the quality of the cables as well as the price.

Bryan...cheaper and nicer than Monster...