Recommended speakers for YAMAHA RXV-863 AV Receiver

[rdx4u]

Hello,
I am new to home theater set up..I have bought a YAMAHA RXV-863 receiver..but I am confused what are the good speakers to go with it. I know it has 105w per channel with 8 ohm impedence. I heard I can't buy speakers less than 105w or the speakers will be dead..is that true?
if yes than what are the recommended speakers for RXV-863? I am not looking for too pricey stuff as this is my first set up..
Please help!..Thanks in advance.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Starting your speaker search

...I have bought a YAMAHA RXV-863 receiver...

First off, congrats on your new receiver, that is a very capable model from a very good company.

I heard I can't buy speakers less than 105w or the speakers will be dead..is that true?

Not true. Speakers are actually at more risk from trying to drive them to high SPL (sound pressure level) with not enough available amplifier power vice having too much. You do not want your receiver's amplifier to get into clipping/distortion attempting to achieve the desired sound level. In addition, I believe your 863 allows you to limit the max available volume, and also establish the initial power-on volume level. Two features which help protect your speakers from the wife/kids/drunk friends, as applicable.

The more important factors are the speaker's sensitivity rating (SR, expressed in dB/W) and nominal speaker resistance (8 ohm in your case). A SR value of 90 or more is good, less than 88 not so much. This will help you guage how much amplifier power is required to generate SPL . Please keep in mind a difference of only 3db in SR means twice as much amp power is needed to achieve the same SPL (what your ear hears). I would stay away from speakers with resistance of 4 ohm or less unless you intend to buy a separate power amp to connect to the 863's pre-amp outs.

. . . what are the recommended speakers for RXV-863? . . . I am not looking for too pricey stuff as this is my first set up..

If you answer these questions, forum members can provide better advice:

1) How many speakers do you intend to buy (2, 3, 5, 6 or 7)?
2) Do you intend to get a subwoofer?
3) What is your speaker budget? Purchase all now, or willing to phase in over time?
4) Briefly describe your listening room (HxWxL) and is it open floor plan or contained?
5) What is the intended use (movies/music/both)? If both, about what movie/music split do you expect (i.e. 50/50, 70/30, etc.)?

As a start, listen to as many different speakers as you can find in your area near your price range. Bring some of your own CDs, ones you are familiar with. I recommend using at least three CDs: female vocals (mids/highs), classical/jazz (dynamic range) and something with good bass.

There are several good ID (internet direct) companies to consider and most have a solid listen/return policy, since you can not preview them at a B&M store. Research them online, at forums like this--an imperfect method, but way better than no information. At most, you would risk soaking up one way shipping costs if the speakers did not work out.

Some ID speaker companies with good value reputations are: Axiom, Def Tech, PSB, Paradigm--to name but a few. I own PSB Image series and really enjoy them.

Good luck with your search,

 

[highfigh]

Hello,
I am new to home theater set up..I have bought a YAMAHA RXV-863 receiver..but I am confused what are the good speakers to go with it. I know it has 105w per channel with 8 ohm impedence. I heard I can't buy speakers less than 105w or the speakers will be dead..is that true?
if yes than what are the recommended speakers for RXV-863? I am not looking for too pricey stuff as this is my first set up..
Please help!..Thanks in advance.

Buy what sounds good to you, since that's what really matters, anyway. It's pretty hard to find speakers that don't handle at least 60W and as long as you don't crank it to it's rated output, the vast majority of speakers will be fine on that model. Speaker power ratings are usually for long term use with a continuous signal and music is dynamic, so you should be able to find a good speaker in almost any price range.

 

[alexwakelin]

Most every standard home theater speaker is of the 8 ohm variety. There are 4 ohm home theater speakers out there, but they are usually exotic and pricey. When matching speakers to your receiver, you do not need to be exact. You could buy speakers rated for much less then the 105 watts your receiver puts out if you never turn the volume up all the way, but it is nice knowing that you can crank your receiver up and not have to worry about blowing your speakers.

Many ID speaker manufacturers allow you listen to speakers in your home and send them back if you are not happy with them. Some even pay for shipping both ways. Your Yamaha is a capable receiver and should be able to power most any speaker you purchase. It is more important to buy a speaker that sounds good then match specs exactly.

 

[rdx4u]

Thanks

First of all, thanks a lot XEagleDriver, highfigh and alexwakelin for taking time to help me..
Today I bought two Klipsch Synergy F2 floorstanding speakers..As RXV-863 is a 7.2 channel I am planning to buy other 5 speakers and the subwoofer as well..

XEagleDriver, Here are the answers:

1) How many speakers do you intend to buy (2, 3, 5, 6 or 7)?
7

2) Do you intend to get a subwoofer?
Yes

3) What is your speaker budget? Purchase all now, or willing to phase in over time?
I've spent $284 for each Klipsch F2 speakers..willing to spend 200-250 for each of the other speakers as well..I am planning to buy all of these within a month or so.


4) Briefly describe your listening room (HxWxL) and is it open floor plan or contained?
This is going to be my new apartment..so not too sure yet about the dimension..I think its 10x17x25..

5) What is the intended use (movies/music/both)? If both, about what movie/music split do you expect (i.e. 50/50, 70/30, etc.)?
Movies and Music both..50/50..

Thanks again for helping me out..

rdx4u