Do I need an amp?

[da5176]

I was wondering if an amp would do anything for my system? I have a 7.1 surround set-up. Could an amp be used to power all 7 speakers?, do you need more than 1 amp to power all 7? How is an amp used (meaning how is it hooked in to your system). I've read threads about pre-outs but don't understand how an amp hooks up to a receiver. Here's the system I'm thinking about using one for:

Onkyo TX-SR702 (RECEIVER) 100W X 7
Polk Monitor 60 (FRONTS)
Polk CS2 (CENTER)
Polk Monitor 30 (SIDE SURROUNDS)
Polk Monitor 30 (REAR SURROUNDS)
JBL PB10 (SUBWOOFER)

With this system would I get any improvement in sound using an amp with it?
Thanks for any advice

 

[j_garcia]

No. Put that money towards a new sub. Unless you have a really big room, the 702 should be fine for those speakers.

 

[zumbo]

I agree the sub would be the best upgrade to improve the sound of your system.

The pre-outs are in the middle of the back of your receiver. Your sub is connected to the sub pre-out. The others are labled for each channel they represent. You connect a rca from each out-put to the inputs on an amp. The speakers are connected to the amp.

 

[mulester7]

No. Put that money towards a new sub. Unless you have a really big room, the 702 should be fine for those speakers.

.....JGarcia, go stand in the corner with Mtry....DA5176, this would have you dance-walking around your theater fairly cheaply for the quality you would get....two large Toroidal Transformers....the mono-block design is only rated 100 x 7 at 8 ohms, but I suspect it would be a very effective and quick 100 watts, with somewhat the same effect as the Earthquake......


http://sherwoodamerica.com/prod_a965.html

 

[j_garcia]

In the grand scheme of things, I'd rather have a better sub than that JBL before an amp. I didn't mean to imply that an amp wouldn't be a good thing, just not the first thing I would upgrade If the poster isn't happy with the overall sound of the speakers, an amp once again wouldn't be the first thing I'd look to, it would be new speakers and a nice amp to compliment them (as needed). No need to stand in a corner, I'm in a little box, aka cubicle farm (at least I have a window seat )

 

[zumbo]

.....JGarcia, go stand in the corner with Mtry....DA5176, this would have you dance-walking around your theater fairly cheaply for the quality you would get....two large Toroidal Transformers....the mono-block design is only rated 100 x 7 at 8 ohms, but I suspect it would be a very effective and quick 100 watts, with somewhat the same effect as the Earthquake......


http://sherwoodamerica.com/prod_a965.html

On that note, time for MR. Adcom to step in.
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-138&menu=true&id=28707

 

[mtrycrafts]

.....JGarcia, go stand in the corner with Mtry

http://sherwoodamerica.com/prod_a965.html

It be an honor to have him stand next to me. Thanks for thinking of me for such honor Keep up your good work.

 

[da5176]

If you guys think a new sub would be better, what would you suggest for a 12 X 19' room? It's not that I don't like the sound I have, just wondering what might improve on it without new speakers. I just have the itch to make things better. The budget for a new sub would be up to $500. What kind of difference would a new sub make over what I have now? It's 150w powered.

 

[j_garcia]

SVS PB-10 It will probably surprise you the difference it will make. It's 300w/700peak, output below 20Hz, and including shipping should be just below $500. I had one for about a year and I have to say I haven't heard many subs in the price range that are as good. I've heard the JBL subs and they sort of don't even compare. You must have gotten a later one of the JBL PB-10s because they were extremely prone to amp failures early on. What it will give you is "silly grin" factor when watching movies, and music won't exactly suffer either

 

[mulester7]

If you guys think a new sub would be better, what would you suggest for a 12 X 19' room? It's not that I don't like the sound I have, just wondering what might improve on it without new speakers. I just have the itch to make things better. The budget for a new sub would be up to $500. What kind of difference would a new sub make over what I have now? It's 150w powered.

.....DA5176, JGarcia just gave you some good advice there with the PB 10 by SVS....personally, I would want two of them up front, spread apart to support the front soundstage evenly, but hey, that's just me....room acoustics damping that first bounce, and clean watts are important too, but subs are what makes us grin, no?.....

 

[mulester7]

It be an honor to have him stand next to me. Thanks for thinking of me for such honor Keep up your good work.

.....Mtry, youse are a good man....how's the boomboxes today?....huh?.....

 

[mtrycrafts]

.....DA5176, JGarcia just gave you some good advice there with the PB 10 by SVS....personally, I would want two of them up front, spread apart to support the front soundstage evenly, but hey, that's just me....room acoustics damping that first bounce, and clean watts are important too, but subs are what makes us grin, no?.....

Subs not supposed to have a sound stage issue. Below 80Hz, it is everywhere but for room mode issues.

 

[mtrycrafts]

.....Mtry, youse are a good man....how's the boomboxes today?....huh?.....

Oh, it's like a Timex, takes the beating and keeps on ticking