Speaker Impedance Question When you have a Choice

[Bradleyfs]

Hello all. Quick question I hope due to my purchase of new speakers and receiver. I just purchased a pair of Def Tech StudioMonitor 350s (for my mains), C/L/R 2002 (center) and BP 1.2x speakers (surround). My new AV Receiver is a Pioneer Elite VSX-84TXSi (140 w/ch at 8 ohms). The receiver manual suggests using 8 ohm speakers but states that you can use 6 ohm speakers if you wish (but you have to changing the setting on the receiver to 6 ohms).

All of the Def Tech speakers state that they are "4 – 8 ohm compatible". Does this mean I should or should not set the receiver for 6 ohm speakers? Is there any true advantage to using the 6 ohm setting? Thanks.

[AVRat]

Don't worry about it, keep it set for 8 ohms. Most receivers handle 6 ohm speakers without a problem.

[j_garcia]

I would also leave the setting on 8 all the time. Impedance varies with frequency. Looking for speakers that are 6 Ohm isn't exactly the right way to look for speakers anyway.

[stevo238]

Audioholics Online discusses this very same scenario in one of their articles. They recommend that you leave your amp in the 8 ohm position. It has something to do with the rail voltages in your receiver. The articles are easy to find. You just have to look for them.