Is bi-amping cheap speakers worth it?

[Big Rich]

I just replaced my Polk Monitor 60 Series II front speakers with Polk Signature S55 models which I got for $475USD a pair, new.

I realize these are cheap speakers but I want them to sound good. I’ve bought a used Denon receiver for $500USD which puts out 125W/channel. (Denon AVR-X4000)

But I see my Polk S55s can “handle up to 200 Watts.” And I want to avoid “clipping” and achieve great sound.

So…despite being on a budget I dropped another $500USD on a used Marantz 2-channel amplifier rated at 140W. (Marantz MM7025)

Was this necessary? Silly? Would it have been better to spend the money on better speakers?

I’m completely new to this. Sorry if it’s a dumb question but I’d appreciate any advice!!!!

Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

Passive bi-amping with an avr is generally useless IMO, more about marketing with typical avr and speaker terminals. It doesn't double the power either....just provides the same signal/amount of power to one part of the speaker vs the other (but is still restricted by the crossover in the speaker, too). Actual bi-amping using an electronic crossover is another matter and that is more for a deliberately designed speaker rather than removing the passive crossover in your speakers and going that route.

Hey, if you have sufficient amount of speaker cable on hand give it a try but think differences could be more about placebo than anything particularly audible. Might try this article https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiring

Better speakers are almost always the answer if you want better sound....but it isn't always a strict dollar amount either. I wouldn't invest in an integrated amp particularly, but then I prefer to add subs and have bass management options for such, which most 2ch integrated amps still leave out for crazy reasons (the MM7025 does not have such, doesn't even look to have a pre-out for a sub). Buying yours used saved a bunch of money, tho, and it could be used with a sub with high-level (speaker level) inputs and some subs can even provide a high pass for your speakers.

ps Your Denon avr's amp section is at least as good as the Marantz's IMO, and likely even more powerful in 2ch mode.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I just replaced my Polk Monitor 60 Series II front speakers with Polk Signature S55 models which I got for $475USD a pair, new.

I realize these are cheap speakers but I want them to sound good. I’ve bought a used Denon receiver for $500USD which puts out 125W/channel. (Denon AVR-X4000)

But I see my Polk S55s can “handle up to 200 Watts.” And I want to avoid “clipping” and achieve great sound.

So…despite being on a budget I dropped another $500USD on a used Marantz 2-channel amplifier rated at 140W. (Marantz MM7025)

Was this necessary? Silly? Would it have been better to spend the money on better speakers?

I’m completely new to this. Sorry if it’s a dumb question but I’d appreciate any advice!!!!

Thanks!

In short rich, no. Biamping any speaker isn’t worth it. Save for maybe a couple esoteric ones. Yeah, I would say the money might have been better spent on different speakers. As far as 200 watts? That’s gonna be the maximum melt down point of power that they’ll handle. And it won’t be for long. But the upside is you now have a really nice amp, and a really nice receiver! And no, not a dumb question at all. Just one that would have been better if asked first lol. People are always confused by those dual binding posts. The problem is they’re put there to satisfy some decrepit old version of audiophilia.
Do you like how the speakers sound? And have you biamped them already?

 

[-Jim-]

Hi Big Rich,

You have confused the maximum what a speaker "can handle" with what it needs to drive it to high enough sound levels to satisfy the listener. These Polk Signature S55 are sensitive enough (90dB at 1 watt) to reach 110 dB when 10 feet away, when only driving the two of them at 125 watts. A sound level of 110 dB is beyond uncomfortably loud, and into Jet Engine territory causing ear damage with long exposures.

Pushing them with 140 watts instead of 125 only increases the sound by 0.5 dB which is virtually insignificant. (By the way, 200 watts only gets you 2 dB more than 125 watts.) Clipping can be obtained in almost any system, but can be avoided if one listens to the sound output and backs the volume off as soon as they start to hear any distortion.

How big a room are you using, and how far away from your speakers will you be sitting? Are the speakers away from the walls or near them or in a corner?

So IMHO you probably won't need the second amplifier. Your best bet will be to get a good Sub. It will help unload the Signature S55s of the most power hungry portion of the sound => Bass.

 

[Teetertotter?]

Polk Audio Signature S55 (Washed Black Walnut) Floor-standing speaker at Crutchfield with reviews.
Long story short......Use the Denon AVR, keep the speakers, and see if the sound is what satisfies your ears.

In general, Polk makes fine speakers to fit your particular budget.

 

[Big Rich]

Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate the great advice.

I do have a sub woofer. A used Polk PSW111. Maybe not the best out there but sounds good to me. So that works.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate the great advice.

I do have a sub woofer. A used Polk PSW11. Maybe not the best out there but sounds good to me. So that works.

Let er rip tater chip!!! If it’s working for you. Then it’s workin.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate the great advice.

I do have a sub woofer. A used Polk PSW11. Maybe not the best out there but sounds good to me. So that works.

PSW 11?

 

[Big Rich]

Special thanks to Jim. It boggles my admittedly sonically uninformed mind that the adding all that wattage would be practically insignificant!

Here I thought I was almost doubling the sound quality or something! Haha I was shocked to read that. Shocked.

 

[Big Rich]

Thanks again guys. Super grateful for taking your time to share your valuable knowledge with the new guy on here!

 

[lovinthehd]

This is a cool calculator to play around with the more important spec, sensitivity along with the distance from the speaker as well as the actual level you listen at.

ps Ooops wrong link this one http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

 

[Big Rich]

PSW 11?

Sorry. Polk PSW111? An 8” powered sub.

 

[lovinthehd]

Sorry. Polk PSW111? An 8” powered sub.

We're going to have to have a talk about proper subs next

ps I was actually hoping that was an 11" sub but never heard of Polk doing one....

 

[Big Rich]

Sounds good! Yes I’ve noticed lately that Polk subwoofers aren’t rated too highly by experts…

At least I got it used for about $60. I guess I assumed if they could make decent affordable speakers their subwoofers would be at the same standard. Oops. lol

Pays to do your research first!

We're going to have to have a talk about proper subs next

ps I was actually hoping that was an 11" sub but never heard of Polk doing one....

 

[lovinthehd]

Sounds good! Yes I’ve noticed lately that Polk subwoofers aren’t rated too highly by experts…

At least I got it used for about $60. I guess I assumed if they could make decent affordable speakers their subwoofers would be at the same standard. Oops. lol

Pays to do your research first!

Yes, much better out there in general.

 

[PENG]

Sounds good! Yes I’ve noticed lately that Polk subwoofers aren’t rated too highly by experts…

At least I got it used for about $60. I guess I assumed if they could make decent affordable speakers their subwoofers would be at the same standard. Oops. lol

Pays to do your research first!

You can probably sell the Marantz amp for more than what you paid for, and use the profit to get a better subwoofer.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

You can probably sell the Marantz amp for more than what you paid for, and use the profit to get a better subwoofer.

Hey peng! Been awhile. Glad to see you.
I think this is a great idea.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Sounds good! Yes I’ve noticed lately that Polk subwoofers aren’t rated too highly by experts…

At least I got it used for about $60. I guess I assumed if they could make decent affordable speakers their subwoofers would be at the same standard. Oops. lol

Pays to do your research first!

Yeah, but unless you’re a nerd like us, how would you know? Like you said though, at least it was only 60 bucks. And really from what I’ve seen, the newish HTS line from Polk is probably their best offering, and not really that bad.

 

[KNOTSCOTT]

It's worth noting that there are multiple ways to bi-amp. Active or passive, vertical or horizontal, and there are pros and cons to each. Crutchfield has a link that discusses methods of bi-amping. The resulting effectiveness of bi-amping will vary, and is subjective, but if you have extra available channels on your AVR, the only downside to trying it is the cost of another set of wires. At least that way you can have fun experimenting and see for yourself if you notice a difference on your system.

Bi-amping using both the Denon and the Marantz would add some complexity that I doubt is worth the trouble, but it's possible.

 

[Big Rich]

Yeah, but unless you’re a nerd like us, how would you know? Like you said though, at least it was only 60 bucks. And really from what I’ve seen, the newish HTS line from Polk is probably their best offering, and not really that bad.

lol Thanks