I'm building a 15' x 30' HT and need to know if I should buy the 200 watt Outlaw 770 or will the 100 watt 7100 work for me? I will be pairing up my amp with the Outlaw 950 pre/pro and will be using Energy Connoisseur Series speakers.

C-9 L & R
C-C3 Center
C-R3 Surrounds x 4
Outlaw LFM-1 Subwoofer

I don't know which wattage is necessary for this size room and these speakers. I need advice, and have appreciated the advice given in this forum in the past.
I look forward to your responses.

Thanks,

AAWingnut

I received a 7100 from Outlaw in error, which I used for a couple of weeks 'till my 770 arrived a week or two ago. I have:
Sony 400 CD changer
Outlaw 950
Outlaw 7100, and now the 770
Paradigm Studio 100 v.3
I've only used the system for 2 ch. stereo to date (bloody projector still hasn't arrived).
My room is 17 x 24 plus the foot of an L of ~ 16 x 16. Pretty much the same scale as your room. It's furnished with large black-out curtains on 3 sides and many rugs on a hardwood floor -- the sound is pretty 'dead'.

The 7100 sounds great, and it's quite loud enough -- probably can output more than your ears could stand. However, I noticed a big difference for what I would characterize as very dynamic music. Two example CD's I that demonstrate this to me are Prokovief's Alexander Nevsky and Metallica's Justice for All. Yep, I have a rather wide range of musical taste :-). I'm not sure how to describe the difference, but one notable things is that the music can be played even louder, but it still doesn't *sound* loud untill you try to talk with someone in the room. Another thing, perhaps related with the previous one, is that things sound clearer, more distinct.

Having said that, the difference isn't overwhelming, but I wanted the 200 W as there's less chance of blowing up the speakers (paradoxically having lower watts increases the chance of speaker damage). I have blown up speakers in the past :-( and my new Paradigms are way to expensive for that!

I hope my opinion helps you a bit!
Regards, Nicholas

Thats a very informative post Nicholas. Thanks for taking the time to write all that. I'm still undecided as to which amp to buy, so this kind of info is very helpful. I have Paradigm's as well (70P front, CC-350 centre and Titan rear) and I was worried about under powering them. I'm still leaning towards the 7100, but the more stuff like this I read, the better informed a decision I can make.

Thanks

Where's Gonk and Smart Little Lena when you need them?

I read a few of Gonk's posts on another subject so he's not on vacation, but I thought I would have had a response from him or Scott at Outlaw concerning this decision. I had hoped SLL would sound off on this as well. I have learned so much over the last two years just by reading this forum and asking the occasional question. There are so many people with vast amounts of knowledge to share. I hope it continues.

Nick, interesting about your 7100 vs. 770 comparison. Are you happy with the 770 and does it produce as much heat as I've heard, and if so, how are you dealing with it. Thanks for you response.

AAWingnut

AAWingnut, I purchased the 770 in February of 2003. Having had this amp now for almost a year I can tell you that it has never run hot. In the summer I use it to drive four outdoor speakers 90 feet away and my theater speakers inside and it still does not run hot. I have my amp in a well ventilated cabinet and it runs warm but never hot. My speakers are not that efficient which is why I went with the 770 and have not been disappointed. I also figured that amps are well built, require no maintenance, and last for an eternity so why not invest in a powerful one that can meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

I have the same experience as Alejate, the amp runs warm, not excessively hot. I have it standing more or less free, in a Lovan rack. You don't have much choice as to where to put it -- it's firmly on the bottom shelf!

im also trying to deceide which to go with as well i have cornwalls up front and heresys for surrounds im sure the with the klipsch the 7100 would be enough but im wondering if the additional punch of the 770 would be worth it?? i do play loud and long and ill probally keep this stuff forever...anynone out there have klipsch and out 7100/770???

I too am interested in the Klipsch/770 combo, as I am trying to make decisions as well. Rf 7's and inwall surounds in my case. Any experienced info would be great,...
Thanks much,...>>>--->