Need help with receiver/speaker matching.

[jfrese]

I'm planning on getting a whole new home theater system. My problem is I'm not sure which receiver I need with the speakers that I want to get.

Receiver 1 (TX-SR605) is 90 watts x 7 channels, and Receiver 2 (TX-SR805) ($300 more) is 130 watts x 7 channels. I'm stuck between these two because I get them at a deep discount, and no other comparable brand would be within my budget.

The relevant specs are as follows:

Front: Amp requirements 15-200w, sensitivity 91dB
Center: 15-150w, sens. 90dB
Rear: 10-100w, 83dB.

I intend on bi-amping the front speakers, which both receivers and the speakers are capable of doing.

The bottom line is, will the 90w/ch receiver provide enough juice to be distortion free? Or would I regret not spending the extra to get 130w/ch?

My feeling is I need the -805, but who wouldn't want to save $300 if possible... I don't have a million other components to hook up... just my ps3, dvd player, hd cable box, cd changer, and turntable... and I won't be using the multi-zone functionality (yet).

Thanks for any help provided... this is a big purchase for me and I really don't want to mess it up!

 

[avaserfi]

What are the exact brand/model of the speakers you are planning to use? That is also relevant along side the specs. The difference between the 90w and 130w won't be too much in terms of loudness.

Also, you won't gain anything by bi-amping the speakers using the receiver. No extra power will be sent to the speakers because receivers are designed differently then amps when it comes to power distribution.

Lastly, what are your listening habits? How loud do you like to listen to your music/movies and what is the breakdown of what you will be watching/listening too? (movies music games etc and percentages)

 

[jfrese]

I'm planning to get Kef iQ7's (maybe iQ9's), the iQ6c and the iQ8ds pair.

I love to listen to my movies and music loud... my doctor has told me a couple times to turn it down, so I try to be careful, but I like to crank it.

The breakdown is probably about 50% Movies, then 40% music and 10% games.

Also, just to confirm... save a few bucks and don't bi-amp? I heard that it can improve sound quality and so forth, but of course that may not be the case.

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[avaserfi]

I think the 605 would do a good job for what you are looking to do. If you think sometime down the line you would upgrade to a seperate amplifier you should get the 805 as the 605 doesn't have pre-outs.

Also, bi-amping can increase headroom and give you better sound, but that is only when done properly and through a seperate amplifier that doesn't have one central source of power. I am far from an expert on the subject though.

 

[zumbo]

I always try to recommend a receiver with pre-outs for an external amp. If you like to jam, you will want to add one later.

Bi-amping with a mid-fi receiver is a waste of wiring. Why bother.

Buy the receiver with the options you need, including pre-outs, for the best price. Brand just doesn't matter.

I have a Yamaha. Love it. Rated @ 110 x 7. Added an amp within a year.

I would have a Denon. Love them too.

Marantz. Just as well.

Onkyo. Looks like the flavor for the $ at the moment.

Yamaha was the flavor of the day when I made my purchase.

 

[jfrese]

Sounds great... I think I'll get the TXSR805. Thanks a lot everyone!