Anthem MRX 710/510 for 4 ohm speakers

[SamNJ]

Hello respected forum members!

This is my first post. I have been lurking around as I was doing my research to set up my first good quality audio system. This system is going to be 60% music/40% HT.

I auditioned many speakers in $2000/pair price range and settled for Monitor Audio Silver 8s. I put in an order for Silver 8s, Silver center and Silver sub. (I have Klipsch S1 surrounds which I will use for now.) I also liked Anthem MRX receivers as a one box solution for music/HT.

However Silver 8s have a 4 ohm nominal impedance. Anthem MRX receivers are not rated for 4 ohms. I've read on various forums that these Anthems can easily drive 4 ohm speakers but still to be safe, an external power amp can be used. I brought up this concern with the audio shop guys where I made my purchase. But they insisted that MRX 710 can easily drive 4 ohm speakers with stability as they have torroidal transformers etc. They recommended I should go with 710. My volume level is going to be moderate. I live in an apartment building.

So what is your opinion? Should I go ahead with 710 and stop worrying about it? Or should I rather go with 510 and put that money in an external amp that can support 4ohm speakers?

Thanks in advance!

 

[PENG]

Hello respected forum members!

This is my first post. I have been lurking around as I was doing my research to set up my first good quality audio system. This system is going to be 60% music/40% HT.

I auditioned many speakers in $2000/pair price range and settled for Monitor Audio Silver 8s. I put in an order for Silver 8s, Silver center and Silver sub. (I have Klipsch S1 surrounds which I will use for now.) I also liked Anthem MRX receivers as a one box solution for music/HT.

However Silver 8s have a 4 ohm nominal impedance. Anthem MRX receivers are not rated for 4 ohms. I've read on various forums that these Anthems can easily drive 4 ohm speakers but still to be safe, an external power amp can be used. I brought up this concern with the audio shop guys where I made my purchase. But they insisted that MRX 710 can easily drive 4 ohm speakers with stability as they have torroidal transformers etc. They recommended I should go with 710. My volume level is going to be moderate. I live in an apartment building.

So what is your opinion? Should I go ahead with 710 and stop worrying about it? Or should I rather go with 510 and put that money in an external amp that can support 4ohm speakers?

Thanks in advance!

It depends on your room size, distance you sit from speakers and how loud you listen.

I just installed a 5.1 Silver 8 with a Marantz SR7009, no external amp and the room is big.

 

[SamNJ]

The room is about 13x23 approx. I listen at moderate levels. I guess my concern is whether driving the 4ohm speakers with Anthems cause any harm to speakers/receivers in long term since Anthems are not rated for 4ohm impedance. Please forgive my ignorance. I'm a newbie.

 

[PENG]

Assuming the ceiling is 8 to 9 ft and you sit 10 to12 ft from the speakers you will be fine with the 510 or 710. I know the SR7009 has no trouble driving the Silver 8s and it is only slightly more powerful than the 710.

If the speakers begin to sound less than good, turn the volume down a little and nothing will get damaged. 4 ohms is only a problem if you over drive the receiver, but you have control of the volume button/kno, right?

If you still worry, there are avrs that are more powerful, or you can add a low cost 2 channel power amp to drive the front L/R.

 

[SamNJ]

Thanks for the responses PENG. Yes I have control over the volume and will only be moderate. I'll go with 710 then! I'm getting a great deal on that one.

 

[PENG]

Thanks for the responses PENG. Yes I have control over the volume and will only be moderate. I'll go with 710 then! I'm getting a great deal on that one.

With the CAD so low, if you are in the US you should be getting a good deal. Have fun playing with their ARC ! Keep it well ventilated and measure the temperature on top of the unit after watching a bass heavy movie, at least in the beginning. You do have a good sub right, the Silver 8's are going to need at least one good sub.

If you have a moment, visit my thread on AVR distortions, I posted a few links to some interesting articles and you can compare bench test data between your Anthem and others. I just added the MRX 710's power vs distortion graph to it.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/avr-distortions-from-entry-level-to-top-level-models.97159/