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#1
Posted to rec.audio.opinion
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Can an HK AVR 230 receiver power Infinity Beta 50s?
I currently own a Harman Kardon AVR 230 receiver (rated 65w per channel
stereo, 50w per channel 6.1 with an HCC of + - 35 Amps). I would like to purchase Infinity Beta 50s (10-250w), but I am not sure if my receiver will provide ample power for these speakers. The Beta 40s (10-200w) are nice as well, but I like the fact that the 50s have 8" woofers (vs 6.5" in the 40s). I also heard that 50s use higher-end electronic components (not confirmed). Any feedback on using either of these speakers in combination with an HK AVR 230 receiver would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.opinion
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Can an HK AVR 230 receiver power Infinity Beta 50s?
wrote: Any feedback on using either of these speakers in combination with an HK AVR 230 receiver would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. It is a matter of definition: If you intend to listen at a moderate level in a moderately sized room (something under 2000 c.f. or so) from normal orchestral and other sources, you should be fine. If your room is larger, you listen at high average levels, or extremely dynamic (very high peak-to-average) sources, you will not be so fine. Example: If one watt is your average listening level, your PtoA at 20dB, you will need a 100 watt amp to be OK. 1 watt is typically pretty loud as an average, but the relationship remains. One assumes the figures you gave are continuous power, not peak power. Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA |
#3
Posted to rec.audio.opinion
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Can an HK AVR 230 receiver power Infinity Beta 50s?
Peter,
Thanks for the info. You sound like you know your stuff. If you don't mind, here are some further details based on your comments that may make bring this thread to more concrete conclusion. My living room is 12' wide x 18' long x 8.5' high (1836 cf). Next to it, is a dining room that is 12' wide x 16' long x 8' high (1536 cf). There is no wall separating the dining room, only a 16' opening with a 6" step up. Behind it is a 12' opening with a 6" step up to the foyer (336 cf) and hallway (240 cf). See rough sketch below. |-------------------------------------| | | | Dining Room | | | ---------------------------------------------------------| Foyer | Entra .5 Beta 50 | ----- | Entra II center | | | Entra .5 Beta 50 | | |-------------------------------------------| (JBL PSW1000 sub) I listen to music and watch movies at moderate volume levels. Based on these facts, would I be better off with the Beta 40s or maybe the Beta 20 bookshelves? Thanks, Victor On Jan 12, 2:13 pm, " wrote: wrote: Any feedback on using either of these speakers in combination with an HK AVR 230 receiver would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.It is a matter of definition: If you intend to listen at a moderate level in a moderately sized room (something under 2000 c.f. or so) from normal orchestral and other sources, you should be fine. If your room is larger, you listen at high average levels, or extremely dynamic (very high peak-to-average) sources, you will not be so fine. Example: If one watt is your average listening level, your PtoA at 20dB, you will need a 100 watt amp to be OK. 1 watt is typically pretty loud as an average, but the relationship remains. One assumes the figures you gave are continuous power, not peak power. Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA |
#4
Posted to rec.audio.opinion
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Can an HK AVR 230 receiver power Infinity Beta 50s?
vic wrote: I listen to music and watch movies at moderate volume levels. Based on these facts, would I be better off with the Beta 40s or maybe the Beta 20 bookshelves? NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sacrifice speaker capacity for amplifier capacity. The single greatest impact made on your system is the quality of the speakers you choose. Power is cheap relative to good speakers. If you must spend on your system, build it around the speakers, not _ANY_ other component. Start there, end there. The rest is really infill towards excellent speakers and supporting their best performance. With that mini-rant in mind, and if you are locked into that particular receiver, get the _best_ possible speakers you can afford and listen to them at moderate levels for now. You do have a large room if you include the entire contiguous volume and so you do not want to have an anemic system if there is a valid alternative. As time passes, and if you do run into clipping problems with your anticipated set-up, you can move up to more power a bunch less expensively than you can move up to better speakers. Keep in mind that based on 65wpc, "more power" really means you are starting at 200wpc as the next level up, not 75 or 100wpc. All the usual cautions apply: Audition a bunch of speakers. Obtain, if possible, the right-to-return if what you hear in *your* home does not match your expectations or what you heard in the shop. Try to audit those speakers with sources you know... that is, bring your own CDs or other material with which you are very familiar. DO NOT bring an iPod or similar, bring a primary source. Try to match the audition conditions as closely to your home conditions as is practical. Understand that speakers are strange beasts, as your ears are strange appendages. What sounds great in one location may wear on you in another. It is very damned near impossible to formulate a valid opinion on any given set of speakers in less than perhaps-20 hours of listening over several days, at least. Only then will you be sure that what you have will not irritate you over time. Does a combination of speakers make you restless? Do you all-of-a-sudden want to get up and do something? are you preternaturally alert, or uncomfortable (in a negative sense)? Are you less concerned with the music than with whatever else is happening? That could well be the speakers causing that reaction. So take your time over (what should be) the single largest expense in your system. Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.opinion
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Can an HK AVR 230 receiver power Infinity Beta 50s?
Peter,
Thanks for the advice and information. I think I'm going to buy the Beta 50s; I found them online for $550 (pair) with shipping; not too shabby. Like you said, I can always buy a better receiver (and use the old one in another room). Thanks, Victor On Jan 12, 5:16 pm, " wrote: vic wrote: I listen to music and watch movies at moderate volume levels. Based on these facts, would I be better off with the Beta 40s or maybe the Beta 20 bookshelves?NEVER, NEVER, NEVER sacrifice speaker capacity for amplifier capacity. The single greatest impact made on your system is the quality of the speakers you choose. Power is cheap relative to good speakers. If you must spend on your system, build it around the speakers, not _ANY_ other component. Start there, end there. The rest is really infill towards excellent speakers and supporting their best performance. With that mini-rant in mind, and if you are locked into that particular receiver, get the _best_ possible speakers you can afford and listen to them at moderate levels for now. You do have a large room if you include the entire contiguous volume and so you do not want to have an anemic system if there is a valid alternative. As time passes, and if you do run into clipping problems with your anticipated set-up, you can move up to more power a bunch less expensively than you can move up to better speakers. Keep in mind that based on 65wpc, "more power" really means you are starting at 200wpc as the next level up, not 75 or 100wpc. All the usual cautions apply: Audition a bunch of speakers. Obtain, if possible, the right-to-return if what you hear in *your* home does not match your expectations or what you heard in the shop. Try to audit those speakers with sources you know... that is, bring your own CDs or other material with which you are very familiar. DO NOT bring an iPod or similar, bring a primary source. Try to match the audition conditions as closely to your home conditions as is practical. Understand that speakers are strange beasts, as your ears are strange appendages. What sounds great in one location may wear on you in another. It is very damned near impossible to formulate a valid opinion on any given set of speakers in less than perhaps-20 hours of listening over several days, at least. Only then will you be sure that what you have will not irritate you over time. Does a combination of speakers make you restless? Do you all-of-a-sudden want to get up and do something? are you preternaturally alert, or uncomfortable (in a negative sense)? Are you less concerned with the music than with whatever else is happening? That could well be the speakers causing that reaction. So take your time over (what should be) the single largest expense in your system. Peter Wieck Wyncote, PA |
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