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Best AVR for Klipsch Speakers

Scott Wilkinson  |  Jul 25, 2012

I'm getting an awesome deal on a 7.2 speaker setup from Klipsch and I need to find a receiver that can drive them properly.

Here are the speakers I'm getting:

  • 2 KF-28 floorstanding speakers
  • 1 KC-25 center-channel speaker
  • 2 KS-14 surround speakers
  • 2 KB-15 bookshelf speakers
  • 2 SW-450 subwoofers
I've spent some time trying to figure out exactly what I need in an AVR, but I'm not confident that I know what I'm doing. I've been thinking about the Yamaha RX-A2010, which allows for 9.2 channels, so I had planned to use the extra two channels to bi-amp the KF-28 speakers, as they are equipped with dual-binding posts. Is this receiver powerful enough to drive these speakers properly?

Kyle Sigo

We haven't reviewed the RX-A2010, but based on our review of the RX-A1010 here and RX-A2000 here, I'd have to say the RX-A2010 is probably not the best choice for you. In both cases, with five and seven channels driving 8-ohm loads, the receiver's amp section produced much less power than the manufacturer's rating—well under 100 watts per channel.

The KF-28 is rated with a power-handling capacity of 150 watts with 600W peaks and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, so it will likely be underpowered by the Yamaha. On the other hand, this speaker exhibits very high sensitivity, as do the others in your list—due in no small part to their horn-loaded compression tweeters—and the center and surround speakers require less power overall, so the system probably wouldn't sound all that bad.

The RX-A2010 lists for $1600; other options from our Top Picks in that price range include the Onkyo TX-NR1009 ($1500, reviewed here) and Marantz SR7005 ($1700, reviewed here). Both AVRs delivered less power than their specs indicate when driving five or seven channels, but the Onkyo dropped less than the Marantz. Also, the Onkyo provides nine amp channels, whereas the Marantz provides seven.

If you can increase your budget by $500, the Pioneer Elite SC-57 ($2100, reviewed here) is an excellent option, with nine amp channels and much less power drop-off with five and seven channels driven. In fact, this would be my first choice for your speakers.

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