General Assistance needed on setup

[bzerob]

UncleSam was good to me this year so I'm overhauling my entire "viewing experience". Plus, since I work for a global electronics company I'd thought I'd take advantage of the connections I know. So, here is what I have and where I'm going.

All these components are sitting in my living room while I recovery from surgery this week. This weekend will be dedicated to wall wiring.


Yamaha RX-A2000
Yamaha Soavo-1 fronts (bi-wired capable)

• Frequency Response 35 Hz - 50 kHz
  Sensitivity 89 dB/2.83 V/1 m
  Input Power (Maximum / Nominal) 200W / 50W
  Crossover Frequencies 500 Hz / 5 kHz
  Impedance 6 Ohms

Yamaha Soavo-900SW Subwoofer

• High Cut Filter 40 Hz - 140 Hz (continuosly variable)
  Dynamic Power 600 W
  Frequency Response 18 Hz - 160 Hz

Yamaha Soavo-900C Center

• Frequency Response 56 Hz - 50 kHz (-10dB)
  Sensitivity 89 dB/2.83 V/1 m
  Input Power (Maximum / Nominal) 200W / 40W
  Crossover Frequencies 3 kHz
  Impedance 6 Ohms

Yamaha Soavo-900M Surrounds

• Frequency Response 56 Hz - 50 kHz (-10dB)
  Sensitivity 87 dB/2.83 V/1 m
  Input Power (Maximum / Nominal) 120W / 30W
  Crossover Frequencies 3 kHz
  Impedance 6 Ohms

APC H15 Power Conditioner/Surge
Samsung PN63C8000: 63" 3D Plasma
Samsung BD-C6900 3D BlueRay
DIRECTV HR24
10TB Drobo FS
Linksys E2000 2.4/5GHz N-router

Questions:

1. Should I consider an Emotiva amp? XPA-2, 3 or 5? I'm worried about the A2000 driving 6Ohm efficiently. Just a basic sanity test I hooked the Soavo-1 fronts to the A2000 and had to crank the sound to -10dB on 2-channel stereo to get a nice sound.
2. Cabling? Stick with monoprice or move towards AudioQuest for speakers, line, HDMI? All short runs besides rears being 25ft
3. Anything else I should be considering? Setup tricks?

Thanks for the help while I scan over this wonderful site and all the knowledge contained within

 

[Davemcc]

1. You seem to have a theme going. http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/products/power_amps/p7000s/index.html

2. Monoprice.

3. Look up the crawling for bass article.

 

[bzerob]

1. You seem to have a theme going. yamahaproaudio.com/products/power_amps/p7000s/index

2. Monoprice.

3. Look up the crawling for bass article.

Thanks for the suggestions.

1. I do have a 'theme' as I know someone inside Yamaha who is able to help me out with some nice prices. The Yammy ProAudio amps seem to be a little too much power, if there is such a thing, considering the speakers are 200W max.

In general, should I bi-amp the Soavo-1s or let the A2000 drive the 5.1? I could set the A2000 to a 6 ohm setting, but I read that actually reduces power...Just looking for insight before I start setting up everything

 

[Davemcc]

You are likely to blow your speakers sooner with a 60w amp than with a 1000w amp. Distortion is the leading cause of speaker failure. High quality amps greatly limit distortion. Yamaha Pro power amps are often recommended for HT systems here, great power...affordable price.

Bi-amping is not an effective strategy. There's lot's of discussion about this on this forum.