DO I NEED AN AMPLIFIER

[rlr267]

I am trying to determine if I need an amplifier and need help/advice

from someone who is knowledgeable and not trying to make a commission.

First, I have a Yamaha RX-v757 Receiver that delivers 100 Watts X 7

channels. My front speakers are RF-82's and my center is a RC-62 (each

rated 150 Watt RMS 600 Watt peak). Do I need an amplifier for my front

and centers? If my reciever is pushing 100 watts but the front and

center are rated at 150/600 is the 150Watts a minimum? Will I damage

my new speakers by under-powering them?

Second issue: I plan to use the A/B option on my receiver to run the

"presense speakers" (8th & 9th channels?) output into a speaker

selector switch. From the selector switch, I plan to connect a pair of

CDT-5650-Cs (50Watts/200 peak) in my Master bedroom and two pairs of

AW-650s (85watts/340 peak) outside to provide music on the patio and

the pool area (3 pair total). Do I need an amplifier to power these

speakers since I am splitting 2 channels (1 output) into 6 channels (3 outputs). I

expect the four outside speakers to be used extensively and if we are

having a party the reciever will be trying to power the outdoor and the

main speakers inside at the same time.

Assuming I do need an amplifier, how big, how many, and where do I

place them? Should I amplify the signal before or after the

speaker selector switch? If I amp before the selector switch, can

I use one 5 channel amplifier to amp the left, center, & right

speakers as well as the 8th&9th channels going into the

selector? Or, do I have to run two amplifiers, one for the

LC&R and one for the 8th/9th channels regardless of where the

8th/9th channel amplifier is placed?

Since I am in the process of showing my ignorance in this matter, I may

as well ask one more question. Does a 5 channel amp know what is

connected to it? The ones I have looked at all have dedicated

Left,

Center, Right, Left Surround/Rear and Right Surround/Rear

outputs. So, do I have the option of running one amp for my needs?

For what it is worth, my system runs 80% music 20% movies, so the

surround and rears are not used often (only for movies once or twice a

week).

[SilverSport]

You may need more amplifier...some of these HT units SAY they are putting out 100 watts a channel but they really don't...my Outlaw amp is rated at a true 100 watts with ALL 7 CHANNELS DRIVEN...others will too...I think you are expecting too much from your receiver...next, the 150 watts is not a minimum...your Klipsch speakers are VERY efficient...they need only a little power to run so...this helps a bit and others with FAR mor knowledge than me will pipe in soon.

Bill

[dougdrake]

"

Since I am in the process of showing my ignorance in this matter, I may

as well ask one more question. Does a 5 channel amp know what is

connected to it? The ones I have looked at all have dedicated

Left,

Center, Right, Left Surround/Rear and Right Surround/Rear

outputs. So, do I have the option of running one amp for my needs?"

Your amp could care less - that's just labeling to make it easy. You could connect 5 different sources to the amp and 5 different speakers in different rooms and it wouldn't know or care. It's just going to take whatever you connect to an input channel, amplify it, and output it on the speaker posts associated to that input.

[NOSValves]

Try it and let your ears judge for you. If the sound quality stayed consistant as you push the volume up to the maximum you would use then you should be fine. If you hear the amp straining and distortion rising or you don't like sound at any volume then you indeed need a new amplifier. If the amp is being over taxed you will hear it! If you hear the sound going to heck DON'T keep turning it up or you could easily damage your speakers.

Craig

[billyjoe72]

I've never ran more than 65 watts ( harman kardon ) to my klf20's. I can't wait to get an updated quality amp to drive them. Did I say I can't wait?[]

toodles

[hwatkins]

Try it and let your ears judge for you. If the sound quality stayed consistant as you push the volume up to the maximum you would use then you should be fine. If you hear the amp straining and distortion rising or you don't like sound at any volume then you indeed need a new amplifier. If the amp is being over taxed you will hear it! If you hear the sound going to heck DON'T keep turning it up or you could easily damage your speakers.

Craig

What he said....