do you think i need an amp?

[bryantm3]

with my system right now, i have this:

Yamaha RX-V757 (100W x 7)

Two RTi8 speakers

sometimes the highs and lows aren't too strong... the recommendation is like 20 W to 200 W to power the speakers. i'm also running a PSW10 subwoofer at midvolume level, and although i don't want a BOOM BOOM BOOM, i just want some reinforcement for the lower frequencies. i have the crossover set at 80Hz with the speakers set to LARGE (everything below 80Hz isn't going to the speakers, just the sub.)

so i have two questions:

1) do you think i need an amp? i know where to get one, but i just need to know.

2) will stacking books and items on top of my speakers and putting a DVD player and DVDs on top of my subwoofer hurt them?

 

[j_garcia]

With the speakers set to large, NOTHING is going to the sub but LFE unless you have a receiver that has a "both" or "double bass" function. With an 80Hz x-over your speakers are still going to get sound as low as 40Hz (at a reduced level) - a crossover is not an all or nothing thing. Considering this sub has basically no output below 35Hz, I'd say one thing you need is a better sub. I owned a 202 which is the precursor to the 10; it was free with my LSis (and not very good).

For those speakers, I'd say you could use more power or a higher x-over. Does that receiver have pre-outs?

Putting your DVD player on the sub probably isn't a good idea.

 

[bryantm3]

yes, the reciever has pre-out jacks, i know about no other frequencies besides LFE are going to the subwoofer, i just phrase things oddly. my subwoofer was free as well, and i've heard that polk audio subwoofers in general are not that great anyway. maybe i'll put my dvd player in my record shelf (which is located right behind my sub with my 1200.)

 

[bryantm3]

bump !

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver setup

Your receiver should have plenty of power with the mains set to SMALL. When you set them to LARGE they get the full range signal and bass requires much more power.
I would recommend experimenting with the speaker and crossover settings before investing in an amp. Your money would probably be better spent on the sub or other upgrade.

 

[mulester7]

yes, the reciever has pre-out jacks, i know about no other frequencies besides LFE are going to the subwoofer, i just phrase things oddly. my subwoofer was free as well, and i've heard that polk audio subwoofers in general are not that great anyway. maybe i'll put my dvd player in my record shelf (which is located right behind my sub with my 1200.)

.....putting a solid foot of concrete on all the non-firing sides of your speakers and subs could only help, I am referring to books and solid things....I agree on not having any source on a sub....Bryantm3, set your speakers to small, the LFE of the receiver set at 80, and the sub turned off....then try 60 on the speakers set to a middle setting of small against large....then 40 LFE with the speakers set to large....if your speakers lack authority at any of the three settings, try a slave amp with at least 200 a channel at 8....if you like what it does, and you probably will, keep it....if not, send it back, and you only lose shipping to settle the question forever....I don't have a receiver so someone may want to fine tune this....it all boils down to life-giving authority with the speakers........

 

[markw]

A bigger amp won't improve your bass.

A better subwoofer, yes, but not a more powerful amp.

 

[mulester7]

A better subwoofer, yes, but not a more powerful amp.

.....Mark, the best standalone act for speakers I've ever had was these bookshelf rears I got first, and my two subs....it really did sound good, and subs are important, but once again, are only an extension of the main's regiment....Mark, generally speaking, a larger pool of watts for gentle sipping improves the frequency response full-range, especially at moderate-plus to reference levels....I'll say this....you'll hear a difference, but if you don't hear a "pleasing" difference, with a large pool of watts at moderate-plus to reference levels, it was that receiver's pre-pro or the source that let you down.....

 

[ht_addict]

Guess nobody bothered too ask you how big is the room your setups in?

 

[j_garcia]

Room size is a good queston , but regardless of room size, from what he is describing the system is struggling. The RTi floorstanders are said to be a fairly difficult load (not sure about the 8s, but the 10s and 12s are) and with a lower Yammie, I'd say power is an issue. A large room could definitely be related to the situation, but that isn't something that can really be changed.

 

[moverton]

Amps? think used

If you do decide you need an amp, think about a good used one. Amps don't degrade much over time and the price/performance ratio does not drop like other electronics. Today you would pay $1500 or more for an amp as good as this one below. You can usually find them for $150-250.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAD-POWER-AMPLIFIER-2400-MONITOR-SERIES-POWER-ENVELOPE_W0QQitemZ9735416582QQcategoryZ39783QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[bryantm3]

i might think about that, but all the amps i can find that can do 200 watts a channel are either monoblock or 5 channel. i was thinking about getting surround sound later, but certainly not at this point. thanks everyone.

 

[BostonMark]

did something quite similar

I have Polk Audio Monitor 70s, not as power hungry as the RTis, and a Yamaha surround sound receiver (100 x 5) the HTR 5280. I added a Rotel RB 991 200/ch amp for the front speakers and noticed a difference. The Rotel really opens up the Polks. I also got the Rotel used for 500.oo. I was happy with my decision.

 

[Svenhook]

Tt-40

I believe you do. The M-60'S of the audio system need to be super-ribened with TT-40's, only because the connector cable for the TT-40's have a tendency to create a lot of feedback. In general, an amp is needed for combination with the discut system you have.