Usher Speakers - Required Amp

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Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek
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#56097 12-Jan-2010 10:33

Hi All,

First off - I'm no home theatre expert, which is why i'm posting here. Secondly - I know what I think I need :D

I'm recieving a 2.1 speaker setup - being the two speakers and sub below;
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/6-series/cp-6371
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/SW-103

From what I understand, these are reasonably high end speakers.

So - my question is, what's an appropriate reciever for these?

I'd like to listen to music and watch TV / Movies through the setup. Only really looking for a 2.1 setup - or possibly a 3.1 setup (I MAY be getting the centre speaker from usher too).

The AMP would need a minimum of 4 HDMI inputs in order to cater for my existing equipment (Sky, Xbox, PS3 and HTPC - all HDMI).

Any recommendations for a reciever? Price points I should be considering?

Thanks!

--
Craig.

CASE: Zalman HD160; MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3; VIDEO: Geforce Asus GT240 HDMI;
SOUND: HDMI Passthrough; CPU: Intel E8200; RAM: Corsair XMS2 2GB;
HDD: 160MB 2.5" Hitachi; TUNER: Hauppage HDR 2200; DISPLAY: Sony 46" 1080p X Series;
SOFTWARE: Windows 7, XBMC;

--
In a mad world, only the mad are sane.

Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#291246 19-Jan-2010 17:11

Bump - I'd love some advice here! :)

Batman

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#291273 19-Jan-2010 19:05

at least:
Onkyo 606/7
Yamaha rxv-663/5
Denon 1909/10 (aka 789)

these have minimal total harmonic distortions and their HDMIs pass blacker than black whiter than white AND decode uncompressed bluray audio. price range around $1300-1700. upwards of these you get tonnes of other features that most people dont use

Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#291298 19-Jan-2010 21:06

Hi Joker,

Thanks for that. Quick question - the speakers are 110watt, going for something like the Yamaha rxv-665 it's rated at 90watt x 7 - is it better to go for an amp slightly under the speakers wattage or above?

i.e., would I be getting the full potential of sound from the speakers by going under?

If so - then that's great, I was expecting to have to fork out for a $3000+ receiver! :)

Batman

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#291301 19-Jan-2010 21:22

wattage has got nothing to do with sound.

speaker wattage means roughly the averaged CLEAN current it can handle from an amp over long periods of time (but will your ear?). short periods of clean overpowered sound is fine. clean = no clipping - see below.

amp wattage - that's a whole new book in itself - some amps underrate, some amps overrate. look that the total harmonic distortion of < 0.1% with 7 channels driven all at once at 90W @ 8Ohm (if you have speakers of lower impedance it draws more current and amp copes less well), in theory:
1) could mean if you run 2 channels, does it run at 90x7/2 W? you'd wish so, but its not, but it's rather powerful.
2) if you run above what your amp can handle the sound will 'clip': in simple words what you hear is "distortion" what you get is speaker at risk of being damaged.

so you say - get an amp of higher wattage - well it gets tricky. DOUBLING the wattage increase loudness by a whole THREE dB.

so - there is no need to get more than these lowest necessary amp. freaks who want mega power will get a poweramp (400W etc) but they're also built differently etc etc whereas these amps above process home theatre etc etc.

that's as much as i understand. beyond these it gets too expensive to understand!