Question about Yamaha av receiver and elac speakers

[Philip Grego]

I purchased a Yamaha rx-A760 and elac unif ub5 speakers. I didnt know that the speakers were 4ohm and my question is, will the receiver be enough to power these 4 ohm speakers?

 

[lovinthehd]

Has the combo caused the self protection circuits to kick in or created any audible issues at the highest volume you listen to? It may not have the most robust amp section for 4ohm loads but that somewhat depends on how you use it. If you have a sub it's probably even less of a concern.

 

[Philip Grego]

Thank you for the response. I have yet to receive the items I purchased so I have yet to test out the system. I will be using this in my living room, average in size, dimensions are around 16 by 20. I will be using it in a 3.1 setup for now. The 3 front speakers are the 4ohm Elac uni fi bookshelf and center with the Elac s10eq sub. I will be using the system for both movies and music. My main concern now after reading up on the the power consumption of 4ohm speakers is going to over heat the Yamaha receiver? If anyone has experience or knowledge on this setup would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pogre]

Thank you for the response. I have yet to receive the items I purchased so I have yet to test out the system. I will be using this in my living room, average in size, dimensions are around 16 by 20. I will be using it in a 3.1 setup for now. The 3 front speakers are the 4ohm Elac uni fi bookshelf and center with the Elac s10eq sub. I will be using the system for both movies and music. My main concern now after reading up on the the power consumption of 4ohm speakers is going to over heat the Yamaha receiver? If anyone has experience or knowledge on this setup would be greatly appreciated.

Like HD said, if you use the bass management in your avr and set a crossover, it will probably do fine as long as you're not listening at high levels all the time. Higher volumes could be an issue.

 

[Philip Grego]

Thank you Pogre. Would getting an amp help take the load off of the avr? And if so is there any I could buy in the $400 range?

 

[lovinthehd]

You still need to provide your listening levels (how loud in spl) for an additional amp to start to make sense. The Yamaha is likely quite fine at normal listening levels but like pogre said, its those elevated listening levels that will be a test (or by adding more speakers or other higher load on the amp). Try using an spl calculator to approximate. The Yamaha manual indicates you can use 4ohm speakers for the fronts on page 11; while it doesn't show a spec for US models particularly, it does show a spec for UK/Europe models (or rules?) of 150w/ch at 4 ohm (@1khz, .9%THD); specs listed show dynamic power ratings for 8/6/4/2 ohm loads (130/170/195/240).

I'd get the gear, set it up and use it. Monitor the avr for signs of stress in your regular usage, either audible distortion or the self-protecting circuits coming on or the receiver running abnormally hot (and be sure in general to provide your avr with sufficient ventilation/cooling....stuffing it into a cubbyhole is not a good thing). Curious, why did you select this avr and set of speakers particularly?

Since you have pre-outs on the avr you have the option of substituting external amplification but use your stuff first before going there would be my suggestion. A $400 amp I'd use is the Crown XLS1502 (and do, altho it's gen 1 version, the 1500).

 

[Philip Grego]

You still need to provide your listening levels (how loud in spl) for an additional amp to start to make sense. The Yamaha is likely quite fine at normal listening levels but like pogre said, its those elevated listening levels that will be a test (or by adding more speakers or other higher load on the amp). Try using an spl calculator to approximate. The Yamaha manual indicates you can use 4ohm speakers for the fronts on page 11; while it doesn't show a spec for US models particularly, it does show a spec for UK/Europe models (or rules?) of 150w/ch at 4 ohm (@1khz, .9%THD); specs listed show dynamic power ratings for 8/6/4/2 ohm loads (130/170/195/240).

I'd get the gear, set it up and use it. Monitor the avr for signs of stress in your regular usage, either audible distortion or the self-protecting circuits coming on or the receiver running abnormally hot (and be sure in general to provide your avr with sufficient ventilation/cooling....stuffing it into a cubbyhole is not a good thing). Curious, why did you select this avr and set of speakers particularly?

Since you have pre-outs on the avr you have the option of substituting external amplification but use your stuff first before going there would be my suggestion. A $400 amp I'd use is the Crhoown XLS1502 (and do, altho it's gen 1 version, the 1500).

Thanks for the response.. I chose the Yamaha avr because I have owned one in the past and was please with the brand. As far as the Elac speakers I chose because of all the glowing reviews. Sorry for posting questions on gear I don't have setup yet. I think you addressed my concern of the avr being able to drive the speakers at a moderate level. Once everything is setup I will be able to give more specific questions. Thanks for taking the time responding to my questions.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the response.. I chose the Yamaha avr because I have owned one in the past and was please with the brand. As far as the Elac speakers I chose because of all the glowing reviews. Sorry for posting questions on gear I don't have setup yet. I think you addressed my concern of the avr being able to drive the speakers at a moderate level. Once everything is setup I will be able to give more specific questions. Thanks for taking the time responding to my questions.

No problem. This choices are myriad and how to put things together not always obvious. I take it you haven't heard these speakers then? They have been getting a good buzz since they came to the US and hired Andrew Jones, please post up your thoughts after you live with them a bit. Here's a review you might not have noticed. Another thought would be to support them with a sub, which would also ease up the demands on your avr's amp a bit and cover the low end bookshelves need support with.

Usually you'd start with the speakers then make sure your amplification is suited to your needs, taking into account your listening levels and using your speakers sensitivity and impedance loads to arrive at basic amplification needs. Many people over-estimate their needs, too.

One thought to chew on, what a difference in sensitivity make for amp needs, like your Elacs' 85dB compared to a speaker of 91dB sensitivity, means you automatically need about 4x the amp power for the Elacs (every doubling of amp power only nets you 3dB spl).

 

[Philip Grego]

No problem. This choices are myriad and how to put things together not always obvious. I take it you haven't heard these speakers then? They have been getting a good buzz since they came to the US and hired Andrew Jones, please post up your thoughts after you live with them a bit. Here's a review you might not have noticed. Another thought would be to support them with a sub, which would also ease up the demands on your avr's amp a bit and cover the low end bookshelves need support with.

Usually you'd start with the speakers then make sure your amplification is suited to your needs, taking into account your listening levels and using your speakers sensitivity and impedance loads to arrive at basic amplification needs. Many people over-estimate their needs, too.

One thought to chew on, what a difference in sensitivity make for amp needs, like your Elacs' 85dB compared to a speaker of 91dB sensitivity, means you automatically need about 4x the amp power for the Elacs (every doubling of amp power only nets you 3dB spl).

I did buy the elac s10eq sub and uni-fi center. I want to eventually have a 5.1 setup but 3.1 will do for now. No, I have not heard the speakers yet and once all is up and running I will post my thoughts on the setup. I had no idea what I was getting into and how technical all this is. Its been a great learning experience so far for me.

 

[lovinthehd]

I did buy the elac s10eq sub and uni-fi center. I want to eventually have a 5.1 setup but 3.1 will do for now. No, I have not heard the speakers yet and once all is up and running I will post my thoughts on the setup. I had no idea what I was getting into and how technical all this is. Its been a great learning experience so far for me.

Yes, you elaborated earlier now that you mention it...I had just looked back at the first post. While the gear is enroute this is a good time to read the avr manual

 

[Philip Grego]

Yes, you elaborated earlier now that you mention it...I had just looked back at the first post. While the gear is enroute this is a good time to read the avr manual

I am getting a crash course on this subject now. Has my head spinning. Thank you once again for all the help.

 

[lovinthehd]

At least the online pdf manuals are available now and fairly easy to store and search with a control f

 

[-Jim-]

I think most folks could benefit from reading the manuals before they buy!