Surround Sound help!

[jcwagers]

Hello everyone! I don't usually post much on ATOT but I am in need of some assistance. I've been thinking about getting a surround sound system. I saw a thread on here that mentioned a Pioneer Receiver VSXD411
and some Onkyo speakers SKSHT500.
Now, I think this would make a very nice setup for my living room. It would be affordable and would work well. My only problem deals with the speakers. The Pioneer receiver puts out 100 watts for all 5 channels. I know that the Onkyo speakers have a max rating of 100 watts on the front and center speakers but only 70 watts for the surrounds. My question(since I don't know much about this stuff) is whether or not the 70 watts on the surround speakers might blow them or damage the receiver. I know that CC has both of these items with free shipping for now. I'm not sure if this is just a weekly deal on the receiver(50 bucks cheaper than normal) and speakers(100 bucks cheaper than normal). I think this is a good deal and I would hate to miss out on it and end up paying an extra 150 bucks when I can get it cheaper now. If any of you have any input on the receiver or speakers, I would be very appreciative! The speakers have gotten GLOWING reviews but I would hate to blow something because I cranked it too high and it was out of spec. Thanks in advance!

jcwagers

 

[silverpig]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't going to be a problem so long as you don't crank the amp up to maximum.

Oh, and I think that getting a slightly overpowered amp is better than underpowered as underpowered can damage your speakers (heard that somewhere... not 100% sure if it's right or not).

 

[NutBucket]

Yep, that's accurate. Go for it!

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: silverpig
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but that isn't going to be a problem so long as you don't crank the amp up to maximum.

Oh, and I think that getting a slightly overpowered amp is better than underpowered as underpowered can damage your speakers (heard that somewhere... not 100% sure if it's right or not).

Actually the you just don't want to crank it. If you speakers are rated to handle 50W and you pump 10W through them, you will kill them. But if they are rated to push 200W and you push 100W you will be fine.

Insure the speakers are the right impedance as that is really the most important to protect that amp.

 

[jcwagers]

Thanks! I think I will!


jcwagers

 

[jcwagers]

Um......ok. Treat me as if I'm a TOTAL newbie at this(which I basically am). What will happen if I have 2 channels(the back 2 surround sound ones) each pushing 100 watts(I'm guessing that is 100 watts MAX) and the speakers will only push 70 at max? Will that blow the speakers or will they just play at 70 watts and leave the extra 30 watts as overhead?

 

[AlienCraft]

Think of the speakers as light bulbs that have a 70 watt rating and the amplifier as the supplier of that wattage. It is possible (desirable) to have "headroom" in the differential between Speaker Rating and Amplifier Rating. A 2x differential is used by most pro users and I have run as much as 4x amp power to speaker rating in a studio environment. This is not for newbies or those that think the sound of the subwoofer coil rubbing is cool or who can't hear the body panels resonating with every "Boom".
Don't sweat the 30 watts.
It is easier to kill a speaker with a 200 watt rating with an amp with a 50 watt rating, Why? Because in the quest to get more volume from the speaker, the amp is driven into clipping, where speakers don't know what to do except, get hot trying to track a squared off waveform and they BURN. Want more volume? Add another amp with a speaker, IOW, move more air.

 

[jcwagers]

Cool! Thanks for breaking it down!