How to Get MORE Power From Your AV Receiver

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[TylerStout]

Couple of things I've picked up over the years:
1) Denon/Marantz guarantee their 5 channel driven numbers are 70% of the 2 channel number across the x3700h and up.
2) Whether you need external amps really depends on listening levels and efficiency of the speakers and distance to the speakers. If you have your side surrounds really far away compared to your fronts it might make more sense to sense to put the extra power their way assuming they can handle it.
3) Another thing you didn't mention is that a lot of higher end AVRs that have the pre-outs can actually process more channels then they can power so for example the x3700h and x6700h can process 11 and 13 channels respectively but can only power 9 and 11 channels so it can also be used to unlock better speaker configurations.
4) Lastly don't forget to bump up your crossovers after running room correction as room correction generally sets the crossover at the in room -3db point but it isn't accounting for compression or distortion at louder volumes where more power is needed.
Edit: forgot to mention but great video as always :)

[bobmore]

Clear and concise, I didn’t realize power allocation in an AVR worked this way, thank you!

[bradcretzmeyer]

Recently added 4 atmos channels so I added the Emotiva XPA-3 for the front stage. Worked exactly as you outlined let alone made the whole front stage sound even better. I am running Paradigm Prestige so they are pretty efficient but the extra power still made a difference.

[azureoval]

The Front three channels get the bulk of the sound from movie soundtracks so getting those off your AVR will greatly improve the headroom for your other channels. Getting a three channel amp first then add additional amps later if you feel the need is a great way to go.

[mauriciob]

I have Pioneer VSX-932 AV receiver that I love the way is sound specially for 2 channel stereo music but only have preout for 2 subwoofer even so sound amazing , so I bought 2 Russound ADP-1.2 Speaker Level to Line Level Adapter with this I can hook up external power amps to my receiver so I got a very good deal for 2 used AudioSource Amp Three 2 Channel Power Amplifier 150w pc, hook it up for my front stage channels and even my 3 powered subwoofer sound more vivid. For those that doesn't have AV receivers with pre out channels this adapter will do the job well done so you save money and will keep your lovely old receiver

[MasterMark]

These companies really should be held accountable and release the real information for all channels driven from 20hz to 20khz and I'm pretty sure the real numbers would shock people how low the wattage drops when you run 5/7/9 channels from one reciever. Once you switch to a reciever plus a power amp it makes such a massive difference or to a reciever such as audio control which gives you actual ratings for all channels driven. It's shame because the amount of money you need to spend jumps to a few thousand to get proper sound processing and amplification to get it sound amazing. This is also the reason why people blow tweeters in speakers because they are using a low power reciever and cranking it up and the power supplies in these denon/marantz/pioneer can't handle the load and the distortion goes up so high the speakers get damaged.

[MikeIllusion]

This is definitely something that I think a lot of people don't understand about their AVR's. Good info to put out there and I hope everyone understands it. Underpowered speakers get the job done but often don't sound as great

I want all of my speakers to punch me in the chest.

[Analyzer]

Once you hear separates you can't go back! Buying the emotiva 7 channel was one of the best things I did. Will buy a 4 channel in the future for the atmos speakers

[mikev]

Yes indeed. Great thumbnail, great editing, and most importantly great info. I have followed your journey, and man I must say, with time and perseverance comes mastery. You deserve that 100, 000. See you soon

[MattCiprianoMusic]

Love this video. I have always wondered how power is distributed to speakers and never knew how to get more power. Such a simple solution. Great job!!

[sandilemahlaba]

Good One Michael, i never understood why people use multiple Amps in Home Cinema, You have just made a clear explanation. Thank You Very Much

[squared]

I have a Denon X8500HA. That could power my 9.2.4 setup just fine, but since I'm running three Klipsch RF-7 III's as my LCR, I really wanted them to sing, so I got an external amp for just my front stage. That will give more power to the rest of my speakers, too.

[GMann_]

Got it. The wording used in my 7.1 AVR manual is: 115 watts for two channels driven; 100 watts for all channels driven. I could definitely tell via some music in 2 ch stereo mode, the speakers are lively and punchy but as soon as I change to a surround mode I can hear the drop off in power in the front 2 speakers...

[johnhovanec]

NAD has full disclosure power, there pretty modest about there spec, they always seem to sound more powerful then what they say.

[P-LOWN]

It’s so true external amplification is the way to go. I’m using the denon 6700h for my 4 surrounds and atmos and for the front stage i’m using a emotiva xpa3 gen 3. When doing that i noticed a huge improvement in the surround and atmos. I might add 2 basx 4 channel amps later on but i feel like i don’t really need it hahaha Get video as always! Oh and btw the rf7-iii’s rock like you said in other videos !🔥

[peterbrady]

Best thing I've done to improve my home theatre was adding a 3 channel emotiva basx a3 to my denon avrx3600h.
Now considering the a2 to power my ft atmos speaker's, thanks for all the the great tips and advice.
Best wishes from across the pond!

[chemicallust]

Some people also don't realize how important speaker impedance is...a lot of those little surround speakers are 6 or even 4ohm...and that can really push some receivers to their limits...sometimes it lets out the magic smoke...lol

[littlewicky]

This is why I gained a bunch of respect for NAD and how they rate their all there AVRs and Amps.

AVRs are rated for all channels driven and bench tests will show a few watts more across all channels.

[nhernan]

I've been watching you for the last few months and I must say I built my new system based on what you might recommend..
I've have a Klipsch premier 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos system in my man cave downstairs for the 4 years.
I recently just sold my Sony vpl-55es projector, vutec 120 inch screen and Denon x4200w receiver.
I replaced it with the Marantz 7015, 135 inch 16:9 1.1 gain screen. I'm using my friend's meridian amplifier to power the front center, left, right and rear surrounds. The Marantz will handle the side surrounds and my 4 in ceiling Atmos speakers. The meridian can give us 200 watts so we're talking about some incredible sound.
I bought the JVC nz7 laser projector and the image is really incredible! I've only had it a week but it's incredible what the projector can handle by itself without me having to do a thing. The biggest surprise I've had so far was having the option to raise the HDR level from 0 to either+2 or-2. I felt the screen needed just a little more pop so I set the HDR to +1 and wow did I get a nice pop which really made the picture come to life. The only other thing I've done was change the 6500 Kelvin to 7500. I just gravitate to a little cooler image. There's much more to learn but I'm loving the frame adapt feature as well as the theater optimizer.
The biggest question I have for you is how should I set my Sony 4k HDR player and Roku ultra up in regards to the Marantz receiver.
I always get confused as to whether I'm supposed to use the video processing in the Marantz or let the JVC to the processing. How would you set your Marantz 8015 when going to the JVC nz7?
Do I use the passthrough on the marantz and use the upscaling from the JVC. I'm still somewhat of a novice but could you tell me the video settings you would have on your Marantz when going to the JVC. My 4k player and Roku are booked up to the Marantz and I have that 4k HDMI high end cable up to the projector in the monitor out.

I'd love any suggestions..
Love your videos so much and you're such a humble guy. Half of my problem is I'm in a wheelchair (car accident a time ago) and it does make things a little difficult. I've been fortunate enough to have family including nieces and nephews that love watching movies...
I'm 57 years old and this will be my last theater room. I'm very grateful the JVC nz7 laser came out at the perfect time for me so it should last me and be somewhat future proof with the 8k eshift.
Maybe one day I'll be showing you my home theater here in Homer Glen, Illinois.
God bless,
Nick Hernandez

[vinylmonster]

i returned the first LX505 because the chip had gotten corrupted as a result of a speaker wire short. Got the replacement and have been very pleased. But then I ordered and connected a Tonewinner AD7300PA + and have been even more pleased and impressed, I do wish I could control the crossovers independently and the subs were separated but those aren't deal breakers. In Australia the Onkyo RZ50 was 200.00 more than the Pioneer. I've had no trouble getting into the menu. If i would warn about anything it would be about speaker connections and wire shorts, which can be potentially disastrous