Denon avr2809ci a good match for Sierras?

[Roger Weiner]

I have the Denon 989 AVR and 3 Sierras. To me it sounds amazing. I can not even imagine it sounding any better

[sbeveraggi]

I have the Denon 989 AVR and 3 Sierras. To me it sounds amazing. I can not even imagine it sounding any better

Thanks for your answer, Roger.
2809 and 989 are almost exactly the same receiver, so yours is a great reference.
Do you hear any distortion at very loud volume levels, or feel the need for additional power? Do you cross them over to a sub at 60 or 80hz?

[sbeveraggi]

Sbeveraggi,

At these loud volume levels that you describe with deep bass material, I STRONGLY recommend you add a subwoofer as soon as possible.

While the Sierra-1 offer impressive bass, these are still bookshelf loudspeakers and you might be pushing them too hard.

I do try hard to defy the laws of physics... haven't quite been able to, at least not just yet

Thanks for your answer Dave
I'll be adding a F12SE as soon as I can.
What's the advantage of using very powerful hi-end receivers or separate amps with the Sierras, over budget receivers? Many Sierra owners state that they offer louder volume levels without any distortion. Is that so?

[curtis]

What's the advantage of using very powerful hi-end receivers or separate amps with the Sierras, over budget receivers? Many Sierra owners state that they offer louder volume levels without any distortion. Is that so?

What you are describing with the bass is a combination of high SPL and the speaker's bass capability, not a power issue. I think Doug mentioned this earlier.

[sbeveraggi]

What you are describing with the bass is a combination of high SPL and the speaker's bass capability, not a power issue. I think Doug mentioned this earlier.

Thanks curtis for your input.
I will try again tonight with sub at 60 and 80hz, and without sub.

[sbeveraggi]

Taking your experienced opinions into account, and after some testing, I've determined my receiver was not set up properly.
My Sierras were set to "large" and double bass was ON. That way, frequencies below 60hz were apparently sent to my Sierras AND my sub at the same time.
I proceeded to correct this, setting my Sierras to "small". Then I turned the sub volume all the way down, so that I could hear the Sierra's bass response without the intrusion of my sub.
Guess what? No distortion at all.

[curtis]

Ta daaa!!

[azanon]

Taking your experienced opinions into account, and after some testing, I've determined my receiver was not set up properly.
My Sierras were set to "large" and double bass was ON. That way, frequencies below 60hz were apparently sent to my Sierras AND my sub at the same time.
I proceeded to correct this, setting my Sierras to "small". Then I turned the sub volume all the way down, so that I could hear the Sierra's bass response without the intrusion of my sub.
Guess what? No distortion at all.

Hmm.... this all sounds strangely familiar. Reminds me of something.

Oh yeah, I remember now. NO COMMENT!

[davef]

Hmm.... this all sounds strangely familiar. Reminds me of something.

Oh yeah, I remember now. NO COMMENT!

Ha -- made me smile today

[sbeveraggi]

Beginner's mistake...
Thanks for you guidance.

In AVSforum some say Denon receivers tend to be bright and need to be paired with laid back speakers. Harman Kardons are characterized as warm, so bright speakers match quite well with them.
Are this just stereotypes, or is there some true behind those comments?
Do you think a certain brand will match Sierras better than another?