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Need some Amp help - a little new to properly powering speakers

Hello. 

 I have some polk LSIM707s that I thorough enjoy.

However, at the moment I'm powering them using a Yamaha aventage 3070 receiver which at 150 watts at 8ohms sounds pretty darn good. 

However, since these are rated at 300 watts at 8 Ohms, I assume I will need some more power. I notice at lower volumes a lot of the imaging and clarity disappears. 

I am looking at buying a 300 watt emotiva Amplifier, or a 500 watt emotiva amplifier.

I'm assuming it would be better to purchase the 500 watt per channel emotiva so the speakers won't suck it dry or stress it. 

Am i wrong in this assumption? 
moskaudio
russbutton's avatar
russbutton
429 posts
 
The very first thing you need to know is that wattage rating on loudspeakers tells you exactly zero about how they sound.  All it tells you is that if you exceed that wattage, you can fry your loudspeaker.  

I think your current setup is actually quite well matched.   People who reside on the Audiogon forum will pretty much universally dislike both Japanese receivers and Polk Audio loudspeakers, but if you enjoy what you're hearing, then keep enjoying them.

If you really want to move up, then begin by listening to as many other loudspeakers as you can.  Visiting the local audio showrooms is OK, but your best bet is to meet other local audiophiles and listen to what they have.  Learn why they made the choices they did, both in loudspeakers and amplification.  

I have plenty of opinions myself, but what you really need to do is get more experience with the gear others own.  
amg56's avatar
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amg56
887 posts
 

Moskaudio

The Aventage 3070 is a wonderful amplifier, for stereo or H/T use. It will have plenty of power right through the range to drive your 707s. I would make sure you have checked your cable (what type is used?) polarity. Have you run the Yamaha Audessy calibration?

Before outlaying more money, check thoroughly what you have. I note AudioGon does have excitable contributors with views on SS or Valve or Brand, but you already have good gear. Have a professional from a store (or otherwise) to look at it first...just my 2 cents....

AMG

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
moskaudio

 Impedance reaches a minimum of 3.75 ohms at 66 Hz and a phase angle of –47.96 degrees at 83 Hz.
Read more at https://www.soundandvision.com/content/polk-lsim707-surround-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures#fIW7rJB...
This indicates for them to sound their best in the bass, an amp that has good current delivery <100hz.
A good solid state amp that can keep increasing it’s wattage for every halving of impedance, is an indication that it can deliver current.

EG: A theoretically prefect amp that delivers current, none can do these prefect figures in real life, but some get close.
8ohm 50w
4ohm 100w
2ohm 200w

Cheers George
handymann
383 posts
 
Moskaudio:  As said, it's not necessarily the amp's rated output, although higher output sometimes goes hand in hand with higher current.  High current amps and ones that have a high dynamic capability is what you want.  At "normal" levels, your used output wattage, will most likely stay fairly low, but when the snare drum cracks or the cymbal crashes, or the cannon sounds, that's when you need the headroom that a high current amp can produce.  Most speakers are not damaged due to high wattage, they're damaged due to clipping the signal.  A high current amp will always sound better than a high wattage amp made from IC chips.  The difference is night and day.  The impedance and the sensitivity of your speaker also plays a very significant role. 
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