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[] My RFs, not including the surrounds. BUT, the 82s, one set of 83s, one set of RS-62s, and the RC-62 have been spared to storage.

Oh, ok. It was a thought........

Maybe the BB is actually 88? If so, his serial numbers LS BB 311738 and 311739 would be 1988, week 31.

I have separate systems, but I'm with Cask05. I have the Onkyo flagship model AVR set up for 7.2. I have a separate 5-channel amp, and the rear channels are powered by the AVR since they are the least demanding. The AVR can be put in stereo mode for just about any source you throw at it. That means that only my front L and R and the 2 subs are active when I listen to music. The problem I had was SPL. If I wanted to crank it and roam about the house, it wasn't really working out well, so I got a separate system just for that purpose. I think I was limited by the AVR. Reference level is reference level. With the separate system, I am only limited by the capabilities of my speakers (see my blown RF-83 thread), but it can get so much louder than my HT setup in stereo mode. For music enjoyment, when I'm relaxing and kicked back, I still prefer the HT in stereo mode. And like dtel said in a previous post, you could run a pair of amps off a stereo line out for stereo music, but I prefer to just use the same 5-channel I use for HT and let the AVR send the stereo signal to it. Fewer components involved to accomplish the goal.

Correct. This is why the Heritage line sound better. I understand there is much more that goes into it than power and sensitivity. It's still more beneficial to fix these, get a crossover, and pull the RW-12 out of storage. The RW isn't much of a heavy-hitter, but I do get a lot of room gain from the dining room. It'll probably hit harder down low than the 83s do by themselves. I don't have corners for Khorns (nor room to build false corners) which makes LaScalas or Cornwalls the next best thing. Given the layout, I still don't have a good place for them. So it's back to fixing these and not being so hard on them anymore. Sometime down the line I can multi-room.

Edit: delete duplicate post.

So......how does that change any comparison I've made? 1/3 the power for the RF-83 is 83 watts and change. 1/3 the power for Khorns is 33 watts and change. It STILL works out the same. Unless you're telling me that the 83s succumb to your 1/3 power rule and Heritage speakers are somehow immune or excluded from your rule. Again, I'm not saying 83s sound better (especially since I've never heard any of the Heritage line). I'm just saying math is math. Unless you can show me some (accurate) voodoo math that applies to the Heritage speakers but not the Reference line......... Bottom line: I ran too much power at too low of frequency. I'd have killed a set of Khorns at the same power level and frequencies being thrown at them. My money, my lesson. I guess I turn it down until I can filter the low frequencies and possibly throw a sub or 2 in the mix. I have a pair of VTF-15Hes in my HT setup. I also have an RW-12 that was part of a package deal that may go well with this other set of 83s for music. Right now, I'm considering a pro-audio crossover with sub output.

Yeah, I've seen that 83 on ebay. I got this pair for $900. I have a line on another pair (it'll make 3 pairs of these in my house) with an HK stereo receiver and a 5-disc Yamaha CD changer for $1200. Sounds like my best option.

I had epiphany when I woke up today. I have no processor for these things. My audio sources go to the 2-track inputs of an Alesis mulitmix for volume control. The 2-track outputs go to the Sherbourn inputs. I think the diagnosis is accurate. Too much power at too low of a frequency caused excessive excursion. There's nothing in the system to filter low frequencies. Or do the built-in crossovers filter low frequencies? As for SPL level calculations.......The mighty Klipschorn has a 104dB sensitivity and 100W power handling. That's 124dB, just as advertised, max output (at 1 meter). The RF-83s only have 100 dB sensitivity, but handle 250W. That's still about 124dB, the same as the Khorn, and more than either the LaScala or Cornwall. Again, the Heritage will probably sound better, but not necessarily as loud. Maybe only a couple dB, but dBs are dBs. I think my best option is to repair these and (if needed) get something to give me a crossover I can set around 30 or 40 Hz. Then, there's always not playing them so loud. I just put some music on with the 82s connected and turned it up to my "normal" loud level. It was 85-90dB at my furthest listening position. I went to about 3 feet from one speaker at this level and got 116dB. So yeah, I was probably just trying to play way too loud with the 83s because I definitely had them a lot louder than I just had these 82s. It still sucks.

What I mean about the Heritage line is that they have higher sensitivity than the 83s, but lower power handling. Based upon sensitivuty vs. power rating, the 83s can still go louder than any of the Heritage line. Don't get me wrong, I bet the Heritage speakers SOUND better. I've never had the opportunity to hear any. I know, because they have higher sensitivity they dont require as much power for a given SPL. Doesn't change the fact that they handle less total power. I may need to go with PA speakers. Or maybe some JTRs. They have some attractive speakers. I just worry something else won't sound as good. I think the 82s have the same drivers, don't they?. I could always use them for parts.

I'd say I was WAY above average loud. Not to the point of distortion, but definitely VERY loud. I don't think the amp clipped. It was, however very hot to the touch after this happened (reasonably so) but did not smell like it fried. I have temporarily connected (NOT bridged) an extra pair of 82s I have lying around. Man, they suck compared to the 83s. As far as bigger speakers, the 83s can play louder according to the specs. It's just that the Heritage speakers take less power for a given dB. I play them very loud because they are in my music room (supposed to be a formal dining room) and I use them to listen all over the house. I also have an 83-based surround system in the living room (driven by a B&K amp), but I'm limited by the reference level calibration and can't really rock out with the HT setup like I want. That's the reason for the second set of 83s driven by their own amp.

Thanks! I tried linking them instead of uploading. First post updated. Here's the other one:

I have had them driven by a Sherbourn 5-5210A for several months. Not wanting to run the chance of clipping the amp, I had them bridged. The Sherbourn manual explicitly warns against bridging speakers that are less than 8 ohms. RF83s are "8-ohm compatible" but dip to much lower impedance during operation. Did I mess up by bridging them? Did this happen because they were bridged and drew too much current or just because they were played too loud?