am i getting the most out of my speakers? - Blu-ray Forum

Erman_94 · 07-04-2009, 04:56 AM

the audio equipment i own is listed below...now i am VERY new with this audio stuff, so bear with me...

the specs for my receiver state it can output about 130watts per channel, and the power capability of my speakers are about 300watts each (for the towers)

does this mean i am not listening to my speakers at their peak performance/potential? or am i just way out of my element here?

any help or explanations would be greatly appreciated guys.

thanks

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:04 AM

I think almost everyone can benefit from seperate amplification, I certainly think you would! Pioneer gave you pre-outs on that receiver for a reason!

crazyBLUE · 07-04-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erman_94

the audio equipment i own is listed below...now i am VERY new with this audio stuff, so bear with me...

the specs for my receiver state it can output about 130watts per channel, and the power capability of my speakers are about 300watts each (for the towers)

does this mean i am not listening to my speakers at their peak performance/potential? or am i just way out of my element here?

any help or explanations would be greatly appreciated guys.

thanks

If you want the best you can get from you're speakers than you need to get into separates . An amplifier would make the world of difference !

crazyBLUE · 07-04-2009, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

I think almost everyone can benefit from seperate amplification, I certainly think you would! Pioneer gave you pre-outs on that receiver for a reason!

Jason that is twice tonight !!!

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Jason that is twice tonight !!!

If you hadn't sold me your amp, it wouldn't have happened....

Erman_94 · 07-04-2009, 05:08 AM

ok guys, explain in audio-stupid terms what you guys are referring to...because unfortunately i am lost

crazyBLUE · 07-04-2009, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

If you hadn't sold me your amp, it wouldn't have happened....

I hope the OP got the message !!

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:10 AM

You have pre-outs on your receiver. You hook up a seperate external amplifier to those with rca cables to provide nice, clean, real dedicated power to your speakers. It is the shiz....

Erman_94 · 07-04-2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonR

You have pre-outs on your receiver. You hook up a seperate external amplifier to those with rca cables to provide nice, clean, real dedicated power to your speakers. It is the shiz....

ok, what are pre-outs and what kind of amp should i be looking for?

man i need to get on this stuff

crazyBLUE · 07-04-2009, 05:14 AM

The bottom 2 pieces of equipment on my stand are amplifiers . This is what the speakers are hooked to . the amps are hooked to the receivers pre-outs !! The sound you get from an amp is cleaner ~ clearer & better sounding than what you will get from just the receiver alone !

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erman_94

ok, what are pre-outs and what kind of amp should i be looking for?

man i need to get on this stuff

See on the right side where it says Pre Out? Those send the signal to the amplifier to play the audio. Your speakers will connect directly to the amp.

What would be a reasonable budget?

Erman_94 · 07-04-2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

The bottom 2 pieces of equipment on my stand are amplifiers . This is what the speakers are hooked to . the amps are hooked to the receivers pre-outs !! The sound you get from an amp is cleaner ~ clearer & better sounding than what you will get from just the receiver alone !

thanks a lot for the help guys...so i hook the speakers up to the receiver (as i do now) and then take RCA cables from the receivers pre-outs to the amp?

also, why do you have two? and is there a better connection then rca cables?

EDIT: nvm, seems i connect the speakers to the amp?

crazyBLUE · 07-04-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erman_94

thanks a lot for the help guys...so i hook the speakers up to the receiver (as i do now) and then take RCA cables from the receivers pre-outs to the amp?

also, why do you have two? and is there a better connection then rca cables?

EDIT: nvm, seems i connect the speakers to the amp?

Hang on Erman, ~ You hook the speakers to the amplifiers Than you hook the amplifiers to the receiver pre-outs with RCA cables !!

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:29 AM

There are balanced connections, but that is leading into quite a bit more money. For mid level, RCA is where it is at.

Yes, the speakers connect directly to the amp. All the receiver will be doing for the channels you are amping is processing.

For me right now, I am only amping my mains with a 2 channel amp and letting the receiver power the rest. I will add a 3 channel amp down the road to power everything. You can also get 5 channel and even seven channel amps, it all depends on what you are looking for right now.

crazyBLUE · 07-04-2009, 05:30 AM

Jason WHY DO I HAVE 2

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Jason WHY DO I HAVE 2

Maybe start by looking here, they offer good budget amps.

http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm

There are a lot of amp manufacturers around though, just need to start with a budget.

Grevlin · 07-04-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erman_94

ok guys, explain in audio-stupid terms what you guys are referring to...because unfortunately i am lost

Hey fellas, getting to the "new" guys quick these days

For me, separates may have to be included in my "2010: Expected budget"

Erman_94 · 07-04-2009, 05:36 AM

ok...let me see if i got a grip on this stuff and let me throw out some more questions (you two have been VERY helpful by the way)

1. the speakers connect to the amp
2. the amp connects to the receivers pre-outs via RCA cables
3. a two channel amp will power 2 speakers, a 3 channel amp = 3 speakers and so on (hence why i saw more than one in the pic?

)

Questions:
1. can the speakers connect to the amp via banana plugs?
2. how expensive is an amp (for a setup like mine)?
3. does the brand of amp have to match like speakers do?
4. is it best to have all speakers powered by the amp or just the main ones (i.e L-C-R)
5. do i need a separate amp for a subwoofer?

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:41 AM

The speakers can connect via bananas.

3 channel amp, around $599. 5 channel amp, around $799. These are Emotiva prices, other amps vary in price.

It is recommended, but not necessary to match amp brands. I would be okay powering my L-C-R with one brand and my surrounds with another. I would not mix on the front soundstage.

It is best to have all speakers powered by amps, but not necessary. Running surrounds off of a receiver can be very satisfactory.

JasonR · 07-04-2009, 05:43 AM

If you are up for the used market, this is a nice 5 channel amp.

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....20W-x-5--Displ

07-04-2009, 04:56 AM	#1
Erman_94 Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Canada 4K collection:31 Blu-ray collection:201	am i getting the most out of my speakers? the audio equipment i own is listed below...now i am VERY new with this audio stuff, so bear with me... the specs for my receiver state it can output about 130watts per channel, and the power capability of my speakers are about 300watts each (for the towers) does this mean i am not listening to my speakers at their peak performance/potential? or am i just way out of my element here? any help or explanations would be greatly appreciated guys. thanks

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07-04-2009, 05:04 AM	#2
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	I think almost everyone can benefit from seperate amplification, I certainly think you would! Pioneer gave you pre-outs on that receiver for a reason!

07-04-2009, 05:08 AM	#6
Erman_94 Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Canada 4K collection:31 Blu-ray collection:201	ok guys, explain in audio-stupid terms what you guys are referring to...because unfortunately i am lost

07-04-2009, 05:10 AM	#8
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	You have pre-outs on your receiver. You hook up a seperate external amplifier to those with rca cables to provide nice, clean, real dedicated power to your speakers. It is the shiz....

07-04-2009, 05:14 AM	#10
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	The bottom 2 pieces of equipment on my stand are amplifiers . This is what the speakers are hooked to . the amps are hooked to the receivers pre-outs !! The sound you get from an amp is cleaner ~ clearer & better sounding than what you will get from just the receiver alone !

07-04-2009, 05:29 AM	#14
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	There are balanced connections, but that is leading into quite a bit more money. For mid level, RCA is where it is at. Yes, the speakers connect directly to the amp. All the receiver will be doing for the channels you are amping is processing. For me right now, I am only amping my mains with a 2 channel amp and letting the receiver power the rest. I will add a 3 channel amp down the road to power everything. You can also get 5 channel and even seven channel amps, it all depends on what you are looking for right now.

07-04-2009, 05:30 AM	#15
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	Jason WHY DO I HAVE 2

07-04-2009, 05:36 AM	#18
Erman_94 Power Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Canada 4K collection:31 Blu-ray collection:201	ok...let me see if i got a grip on this stuff and let me throw out some more questions (you two have been VERY helpful by the way) 1. the speakers connect to the amp 2. the amp connects to the receivers pre-outs via RCA cables 3. a two channel amp will power 2 speakers, a 3 channel amp = 3 speakers and so on (hence why i saw more than one in the pic? ) Questions: 1. can the speakers connect to the amp via banana plugs? 2. how expensive is an amp (for a setup like mine)? 3. does the brand of amp have to match like speakers do? 4. is it best to have all speakers powered by the amp or just the main ones (i.e L-C-R) 5. do i need a separate amp for a subwoofer?

07-04-2009, 05:41 AM	#19
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	The speakers can connect via bananas. 3 channel amp, around $599. 5 channel amp, around $799. These are Emotiva prices, other amps vary in price. It is recommended, but not necessary to match amp brands. I would be okay powering my L-C-R with one brand and my surrounds with another. I would not mix on the front soundstage. It is best to have all speakers powered by amps, but not necessary. Running surrounds off of a receiver can be very satisfactory.

07-04-2009, 05:43 AM	#20
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	If you are up for the used market, this is a nice 5 channel amp. http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....20W-x-5--Displ

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