Help matching Reciever w/speakers (Wattage)

[soundstudio315]

I have a Sony DTR-1000DG 7.1 reciever that I think puts out 120watts @ 8ohms x 7 Channels. So the best match wattage wise would be what? Speakers that are less than 120watts or just a little greater than the 120?

I'm looking a the onkyo HT-540 or HT750

Thanks Guys!

 

[agarwalro]

You should first select the speakers and then the receiver. This is because the speakers specification will govern your receiver's minimum capabilities.

That said, look for the speaker impedence and sensitivity ratings.

Impedence considerations in ohms:
6 - 8: - Easy to drive, all receivers are capable of driving these
3 - 5: Touch to drive, need powerful receiver or dedicated amp
1 - 2: Tough to drive, must have dedicated amp

Sensitivity consideration in dB SPL/1W/1m:
>=89: Easy to drive
>86 but <89: Moderatly difficult
<=86: Tough to drive

So, you want a speaker that has 6 - 8 ohms impedence rating and >=89 SPL in Db/1W/1m Sensitivity rating. They will work with the Sony and either of the Onkyo's.

 

[j_garcia]

You can pretty much ignore a speaker's wattage rating as it is almost completley irrelevant. Wattage rating does not tell you if a receiver can handle the real world load presented by the speaker so it doesn't really tell you something useful, plus it is a maximum rating NOT a required input rating.

What is your budget and how big is your room? It likely won't be an issue at all for those speakers, but Onkyo isn't exactly known for its speakers...

 

[no. 5]

I have a Sony DTR-1000DG 7.1 reciever that I think puts out 120watts @ 8ohms x 7 Channels. So the best match wattage wise would be what? Speakers that are less than 120watts or just a little greater than the 120?

I'm looking a the onkyo HT-540 or HT750

Thanks Guys!

It doesn't really matter what wattage the speakers are labeled to handle; if the receiver can really deliver 120 watts, the speakers will rarely see it (even then for perhaps a few milliseconds). Yes there is a level of power where the voice coils will over heat and melt, and that is the information that those 'power handling' specs are attempting to provide, but there is no reason that I know of that would require matching "100 watt" speakers with a "100 watt" receiver.

 

[soundstudio315]

Thanks for the reply guys.

I think I understand it a bit more know.

I just don't the cash to spend on a really nice system.
I suppose I can get a 5.1 setup and then purchase the other 2 speakers later.

What options/recommendations do you have for under $1k 7.1 speaker setup
or
Under $1k 5.1 speaker setup?

 

[rnatalli]

You have options for a 5.1 system under $1k. I'm on my way out so not enough time to list several options, but here's a good possibility:

av123 x-ls bookshelf = $165/pair x 2 (4 speakers)
av123 x-cs center = $129
av123 x-sub = $199
Speaker total = $658

Spend the rest on a receiver and cables from monoprice. You could also just get the electronics and really good mains for now and upgrade to 5.1 later. Just a thought.

 

[j_garcia]

I'll second that setup. For the money, it will be tough to beat. There are also the SVS packages that get you a better sub for about $100 more, though you can obviously step up to a better sub with AV123 too. The new X-series subs are supposed to be coming out soon.

SVS has the white and silver versions of the SBS-01 package for $799 for 5.1 and $925 for 7.1 here.

You could also drop the X-sub from the list and get a SVS PB-10 and still be under $1K. That would be ideal to me