After further research these XT1s seem like power hogs.
Did you plug the numbers into one of those online calculators I linked? Again, it is more of myth, misconception that quite often people on forum will say you can't use AVRs, even flagship models let alone the little entry level ones for 4 ohm speakers. The fact is, it depends on your listening habit, distance, sensitivity (you obvious know that already) and other factors. Those calculators could cover most of those factors.
I like the C1+ center so was trying to keep the LRC combo as similar as possible. I may try find a used pair of T1+. Or can anyone make another tower recommendation for my C1+? Mixing front speakers is considered a no-no due to timbre matching
That so called "no-no" part is another myth. It seems that on forums, you do get lots of people blaming their speakers because they are power hogs, power hungry etc., when in many cases, they were just trying to get excuses or justifications to upgrade to larger AVRs, adding external power amps etc. In some cases, the speakers are to blame, no doubt, but not in all cases.
It all boils down to the detailed specs and measurements, though in general using speakers designed and manufactured by the same manufacturer should, and would do better than mixing them up with different brands/models, on all else being equal basis. Instead of getting opinion on matching Emotiva towers other than the T1 with your C1, you probably should ask Emotiva about it, as they most likely know better than many of us here.
If you plugged in 86 dB/2.83V/1m, 10 ft distance, into one of those calculators linked above, you will see that at you seat you would get about 95 dB peak with 40 W, that the AVR-X1700H could handle without even getting too warm.
That appears to get close enough the the AVR's limit, but not really if you consider the following:
- Music signals are not pure tones, they are very peaky so the amp's average output levels would likely be much lower than 40 W (I wouldn't use 80 W because 80 W is for 8 ohm loads) when you are listening to the 75 dB average you have indicated in your earlier post.
- The XT1's nominal impedance is 4 ohms, but Emotiva did not provide an impedance/phase angle vs frequency, they may give it to you if you request for one. They did say on the website:
- Nominal impedance: 4-ohms nominal, safe with amplifiers rated for 8-ohm loads
Such statement is however, not very useful as they really don't know your application, such as distance, and your desired SPL. Unfortunately, Emotiva is not the only who would say such a thing, they all tend to make generalized statements based on assumptions, probably because they all want to sell!!
- The 40 W I used, is for under extended duration, again, for real world use listening to music and sound tracks, the X1700H could handle a lot more than even 80 W for short duration, such as seconds, or even a minute depending... So, you would still have tons of "headroom", i.e. at more than 80 W 4 ohms.
- The calculated numbers are for just one speaker, obviously even for stereo, you would perceived a few dB higher.
As reference:
Amir measured the AVR-X2200W, and the 4 ohms output didn't do too bad:
The X1700H would do less, I would estimate about 10-15% less, still enough for the XT1 tower if you really listen to about 75 dB average 95 dB peak at 10 ft.
, and the super light weight) I used with the 1800 for a few months, there was no need but I used in anyway, sold the 1800 after a few months, only because I want to do truly 2.2.
