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Inexpensive amp to power ceiling atmos speakers?

4426 Views 30 Replies 12 Participants Last post by RVD26, May 21, 2021

RVD26

Discussion Starter · May 16, 2021 (Edited)

Right now I have a Yamaha TRS-7790BL to power my 7.2 speaker set up and was going to wait on a deal on a 11.2 receiver to power 4 ceiling speakers.
Looks like receivers are not going on sale anytime soon, if they're even available.
So now I'm looking for an inexpensive amp to power just the 4 overheard atmos speakers.
Will likely get the RSL C34E or Monoprice in-ceiling speakers.
What are some good and inexpensive amps to power these speakers?

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

JonfromCB

· #2 · May 16, 2021

I'm not familiar with your ceiling speakers but I recommend finding out what their efficiency is and having a good ideal of their placed distance from your MLP and the loudest SPL you will expect from them at your MLP. Knowing that will allow you to calculate how many Watts you will need from your "inexpensive amp" before you make the possible mistake of buying an underpowered amp. Again, I'm not familiar with the spec's of the ceiling speakers you plan to use but I do know that many ceiling speakers are fairly low efficiency so it's important to get enough power to drive them to your desired listening levels. Once you know how many Watts per channel you will need folks here can make good
bang-for-buck recommendations.

Reactions: 1

RVD26

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 16, 2021

JonfromCB said:
I'm not familiar with your ceiling speakers but I recommend finding out what their efficiency is and having a good ideal of their placed distance from your MLP and the loudest SPL you will expect from them at your MLP. Knowing that will allow you to calculate how many Watts you will need from your "inexpensive amp" before you make the possible mistake of buying an underpowered amp. Again, I'm not familiar with the spec's of the ceiling speakers you plan to use but I do know that many ceiling speakers are fairly low efficiency so it's important to get enough power to drive them to your desired listening levels. Once you know how many Watts per channel you will need folks here can make good
bang-for-buck recommendations.

Here's the link to the Monoprice speakers I've got my eyes on. Monoprice Aria In-Ceiling Speakers, 6.5in Dual Input Stereo 2-Way (pair) - Monoprice.com
From the specs:
Maximum Input Power (RMS) 2x 50 watts
Maximum Input Power (Peak) 2x 100 watts

I am not looking to be blown away by the sound level, they're more for ambient sounds from Dolby tracks.
The speakers will be only a few feet away from the MLP.

JonfromCB

· #4 · May 16, 2021

RVD26 said:
Here's the link to the Monoprice speakers I've got my eyes on. Monoprice Aria In-Ceiling Speakers, 6.5in Dual Input Stereo 2-Way (pair) - Monoprice.com
From the specs:
Maximum Input Power (RMS) 2x 50 watts
Maximum Input Power (Peak) 2x 100 watts

I am not looking to be blown away by the sound level, they're more for ambient sounds from Dolby tracks.
The speakers will be only a few feet away from the MLP.

Maximum input ratings having nothing to do with volume. Their efficiency is spec'd at 85dB at 1 meter. That's pretty inefficient. Since they are open I would expect that rating to be high. How loud is "not looking to be blown away..." is what you need to know. I'm just trying to help you avoid a common mistake.

RayGuy

· #5 · May 16, 2021 (Edited)

Those Monoprice speakers are inappropriate for Atmos. That is a dual voice coil speaker, used to pump a stereo signal into a room with only one speaker. The RSL, or similar, is the more appropriate design for your application. In the Aria line, this is the appropriate speaker:

Monoprice Aria Ceiling Speakers 6.5-inch Polypropylene 2-Way (pair) - Monoprice.com

You might consider one of their better speaker lines, if budget allows.

Reactions: 1

Enchy

· #6 · May 16, 2021

I’m going to use the Aiyima A07 TPA3255 to power the extra two channels for my 7.1.4 setup off my x3700h. It measured very well in Audio Science Review’s testing, and the price is right for me.

My ceiling speakers are the Polk OWM3 which are 89db efficient. The 48W provided by the Aiyima will be plenty since I don’t ever anticipate turning the volume up much past ~95db and based on calculations 48W will be enough to drive the polks up to 99db

www.amazon.com

AIYIMA A07 TPA3255 Power Amplifier 300Wx2 HiFi Class D Stereo Digital Audio Amp 2.0 Channel Amplifier for Passive Speaker Home Audio (A07+DC 32V Power Adapter)

Buy AIYIMA A07 TPA3255 Power Amplifier 300Wx2 HiFi Class D Stereo Digital Audio Amp 2.0 Channel Amplifier for Passive Speaker Home Audio (A07+DC 32V Power Adapter) at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

Reactions: 1

RVD26

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 16, 2021

Enchy said:
I’m going to use the Aiyima A07 TPA3255 to power the extra two channels for my 7.1.4 setup off my x3700h. It measured very well in Audio Science Review’s testing, and the price is right for me.

My ceiling speakers are the Polk OWM3 which are 89db efficient. The 48W provided by the Aiyima will be plenty since I don’t ever anticipate turning the volume up much past ~95db and based on calculations 48W will be enough to drive the polks up to 99db

AIYIMA A07 TPA3255 Power Amplifier 300Wx2 HiFi Class D Stereo Digital Audio Amp 2.0 Channel Amplifier for Passive Speaker Home Audio (A07+DC 32V Power Adapter)

Buy AIYIMA A07 TPA3255 Power Amplifier 300Wx2 HiFi Class D Stereo Digital Audio Amp 2.0 Channel Amplifier for Passive Speaker Home Audio (A07+DC 32V Power Adapter) at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

Thanks, but I need an amp that can power 4 channels.

Enchy

· #8 · May 16, 2021

RVD26 said:
Thanks, but I need an amp that can power 4 channels.

Buy two

Reactions: 1

Rich 63

· #9 · May 16, 2021

RVD26 said:
Thanks, but I need an amp that can power 4 channels.

You current avr does not support atmos so im a little unclear as to what your trying to accomplish
Could you clarify?
Rich

RVD26

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 16, 2021

Rich 63 said:
You current avr does not support atmos so im a little unclear as to what your trying to accomplish
Could you clarify?
Rich

I guess I didn't think about that part. LOL
I'm trying to find some workaround to use my in-ceiling speakers in addition to my current 7.2 setup (thus making it 7.2.4) without having to buy a new AVR right now.

Rich 63

· #11 · May 16, 2021

Unfortunately. Can't be done.
As a side note. Im not suggesting that you not explore 7.1.4 but most find 5.1.4 to be more then adequate thus saving money.
If you do go 7.1.4 use your current avr as your external amp and assign that amp to front speaker duty. They draw much more power then the height will. This will relieve the main avr of much of its draw leaving you with plenty of headroom.
Regards Rich

RVD26

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 16, 2021

Rich 63 said:
Unfortunately. Can't be done.
As a side note. Im not suggesting that you not explore 7.1.4 but most find 5.1.4 to be more then adequate thus saving money.
If you do go 7.1.4 use your current avr as your external amp and assign that amp to front speaker duty. They draw much more power then the height will. This will relieve the main avr of much of its draw leaving you with plenty of headroom.
Regards Rich

I've already purchased the speakers for 7.2.4. Are you saying to use my current amp for everything but the front LCR speakers and just buy another 7.2 AVR that is Atmos capable?

RayGuy

· #13 · May 16, 2021 (Edited)

Given your situation, this might be the best way to go, for now. This is a 2 channel amp, but it powers 4 speakers, so you could duplicate the front height info to the rear height speakers, thus using all the speakers. The speakers must be rated at 8 Ohms for this to be viable (those Monoprice speakers you intended to use, for instance, would not be viable, as the 7.2 Ohm rating would present a 3.6 Ohm resistance to the 4 Ohm minimum amp). Once you get the new receiver, you'll be all set (assuming the new receiver powers all but two channels (i.e. an 11 channel processor with 9 amps is a common configuration).

2x Channel 75W Each Channel, Class D Stereo Amplifier, Priority Input and A/B Switching - XMP100

Reactions: 1

Rich 63

· #14 · May 16, 2021 (Edited)

RVD26 said:
I've already purchased the speakers for 7.2.4. Are you saying to use my current amp for everything but the front LCR speakers and just buy another 7.2 AVR that is Atmos capable?

Not how it works. You need an avr capable of processing 11 channels . There are some that can do that with all onboard power so no need for external amp. Much more expensive units though. There are more affordable avrs that can process 11 channels but only have 9 internal amp channels so you need and external amp for the last 2. All the avrs capable of processing 11 channels or more have what are called preouts for each channel. What comes out of these preouts is the unamplified signal which is what needs to be fed to an amp. Here is 2 examples for you to digest. Each manufacturer has similiar. Im just biased to denon products. Hope this helps.

AVR-X4700H 9.2 Ch. 8K AV Receiver with HEOS® | Denon™

The Denon AVR-X4700H 9.2 channel 8K AV receiver offers 125W per channel, 7 HDMI inputs & 3D audio capabilities with built-in HEOS® and voice control.

www.denon.com

AVR-X6700H 11.2 Ch. 8K AV Receiver with HEOS® | Denon™

The AVR-X6700H is a 11.2 channel 8K AV receiver offers 140W per channel, 7 HDMI inputs, & 3D audio capabilities with built-in HEOS® and voice control.

www.denon.com

Reactions: 2

M Code

· #15 · May 16, 2021

RayGuy said:
Given your situation, this might be the best way to go, for now. This is a 2 channel amp, but it powers 4 speakers, so you could duplicate the front height info to the rear height speakers, thus using all the speakers. The speakers must be rated at 8 Ohms for this to be viable (those Monoprice speakers you intended to use, for instance, would not be viable, as the 7.2 Ohm rating would present a 3.6 Ohm resistance to the 4 Ohm minimum amp). Once you get the new receiver, you'll be all set (assuming the new receiver powers all but two channels (i.e. an 11 channel processor with 9 amps is a common configuration).

2x Channel 75W Each Channel, Class D Stereo Amplifier, Priority Input and A/B Switching - XMP100

Good value amplifier, also sold by the brands Audio Control and Russound. Build quality is good, power output is hyped slightly actual output 48Wx2 into 8 Ohms and 65Wx2 into 4 Ohms. Distortion measures <1%THD but is fine for Zone II or Atmos loudspeakers. Also has rear panel bass and treble trim tone controls, which are a nice feature to sweeten the sound if desired..

Just my $0.02...

Reactions: 1

bobknavs

· #16 · May 16, 2021

To reiterate: for 7.1.4, you need a receiver that processes at least 11 channels. It's not a question of buying enough amp channels.

Off the top of my head, I can only think of one model that does that but has only 7 onboard amps: the NAD T758 V3.

Denon and Marantz make models with 9 onboard amps. (Also models with 11 amps.) I'm not familiar with the models available from other mass-market makers at the moment. (Onkyo used to have the least expensive ones that processed 11 channels.)

Reactions: 1

eaayoung

· #17 · May 16, 2021

As stated you’ll need a receiver that can process 11 channels. Consider Denon’s 3700, 4500 or 4700 receivers. Those receivers can process 11 channels but only power 9 channels. So you’ll need a separate amp to process 2 of the channels. I use a Denon 4500 with an Emotiva two channel amp to power my 5.1.4 Atmos system. The amp powers two speakers on my porch. BTW, 5.x.4 is the sweet spot and “best bang for your buck” when building an Atmos system

Reactions: 2

ToddDavid

· #18 · May 16, 2021

Buy an amp for your mains before buying one for 2 Atmos speakers. Something like a Parasound 2125v2 would work fine w/o breaking the bank. Buckeye Amps on USAUDIOMART makes some great inexpensive amps. Then buy something like an Outlaw 2200/2220 monoblock for the center. Or do 3 monos across the front. Let the AVR power the rest.

Reactions: 1

ToddDavid

· #19 · May 16, 2021

eaayoung said:
As stated you’ll need a receiver that can process 11 channels. Consider Denon’s 3700, 4500 or 4700 receivers. Those receivers can process 11 channels but only power 9 channels. So you’ll need a separate amp to process 2 of the channels. I use a Denon 4500 with an Emotiva two channel amp to power my 5.1.4 Atmos system. The amp powers two speakers on my porch. BTW, 5.x.4 is the sweet spot and “best bang for your buck” when building an Atmos system

A refurb 7.2.4 doesn’t cost much more. I picked up a Marantz 6014 for $900. Does the trick just fine. Sounds great.

Reactions: 1

RVD26

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 16, 2021

ToddDavid said:
A refurb 7.2.4 doesn’t cost much more. I picked up a Marantz 6014 for $900. Does the trick just fine. Sounds great.

Any tips on where to purchase refurb AVRs?

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

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