More important: Good receiver or good speakers?

[kalrith]

Yes they had to include that mode apparently to pass some sort of regulatory test and significantly recommend you do not run it in that mode. It reduces output to a fixed 36W/channel at any impedance level at 4 ohm mode and warn it can cause irreparable damage to speakers if you drive it hard especially with classical music. Default is in 6ohm mode which runs everything to system spec.

The whole naming scheme is a misnomer unfortunately and 6 ohm mode should be used to drive all speaker types.

The Lsi series do present a slightly heavier load at the bass range (40-80hz) so a subwoofer would be optimal if you plan on blasting these speakers, but at normal listening levels it should make no difference.

Just to clarify for the OP, if he gets the LSi9, runs them in 6-ohm mode, and sets his crossover to 80Hz (since he already has a sub), then his new receiver should handle the load just fine?

 

[Exterous]

As for your speakers if you are considering spending a decent amount of $ (which it sounds like you are) I would strongly recommend listening to some speakers before buying them. If you are near a decently large city there should be some stores where you can listen to different brands like Paradigm, PSB, Polk, B&W etc. There are a lot of options in the $750-1250 for floorstandings + center. I would recommend keeping the center and LR matching. Different people love different brands of speakers

I personally love PSB speakers as I think the ones I have are amazing (They might get bonus points for you as they are a Canadian company)

 

[alcoholbob]

+1 for Paradigm speakers. They are very high efficiency--their impedence curve is the polar opposite of the Polks.