No idea what I'm doing - right or wrong.

[hawkis4555]

I have an pair of Bose speakers 2 each Model 100 (4 ohm) and 2 each Model 301 Series IV Direct Reflecting. I have a KLH (E-12D) Subwoofer as well.
I bought an Onkyo TX-8220 Receiver to replace an old receiver that lasted me over 20 years. All was well and good until I noticed that the sound quality was starting to degrade where the midranges did not come through as much and the bass was not as crisp as it first was.
I started to check things out beginning with my iTunes iPod library to determine if somehow it was corrupted. Like I said, I don't know what I'm doing.
Checking the online manual for the Onkyo TX 8220 receiver, I get this info about impedance and setting the switch:
Set the impedance(Ohm) of the connected speakers.

4 ohm": When any of the connected speakers have 4 9ohm or more to less than 6 ≠ impedance, or
when speaker systems are connected to both of the SPEAKERS A/B terminals

"6 ohm (default value)": When the connected speakers all have 6 ohm or more impedance

Note that when connecting to both SPEAKERS A and B terminals, connect speakers with
8 ohm to 16 ohm impedance to both A and B.

For impedance, check the indications on the back of the speakers or their instruction
manual.

Needless to say, I am more confused now than when I started. Not sure if the receiver is the right one - If not, what receiver should I buy. Also, Do i need to buy another powered subwoofer.
Thanks for having this forum to hopefully get expert answers the first time. I appreciate hearing from you. Ivin Hauck

 

[Leemix]

What outputs are the speakers connected to?

Edit: ah, its a 2ch receiver, so guess you connect to A and B


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[hawkis4555]

Hello Leemix,
I only have an A and B Option. So, yes, 4 speakers - 2 on each channel with a powered subwoofer that i just disconnected to try and see if that helps.

 

[Leemix]

Your old receiver might have been a better quality one and the new one might feel lacking.

The impedance setting is usually a power restriction to avoid running too hot. If you run both speaker pairs at the same time mind the volume control a little extra.

Is the sub integrated with the speakers as well as it used to be?


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[hawkis4555]

No, it no longer seems to work as well as it did before. It never did integrate perfectly. I was able to adjust the controls to a level that was acceptable. The Bose speakers were the main components that seemed to give the sound I wanted. The subwoofer was just an extra I added since there was an option on the receiver.

 

[lovinthehd]

Why do you use 2 pairs of speakers? These are operated as A or B, in different rooms? Or?

Do you want surround sound?

 

[hawkis4555]

I have both sets facing each other. I don't have the receiver or speakers for surround sound. So i just have the 2 sets each with left / right sound.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well you really don't have a receiver suitable for driving two pairs of speakers simultaneously particularly either since it only has two channels of amplification and not intended for particularly low impedance speakers either. Nor is it suggested to use two pairs of 2ch stereo speakers together particularly for acoustic reasons. I'd suggest using the better of pair of speakers (I'd think the 301s) by themselves, and see how that sounds.

 

[hawkis4555]

Well you really don't have a receiver suitable for driving two pairs of speakers simultaneously particularly either since it only has two channels of amplification and not intended for particularly low impedance speakers either. Nor is it suggested to use two pairs of 2ch stereo speakers together particularly for acoustic reasons. I'd suggest using the better of pair of speakers (I'd think the 301s) by themselves, and see how that sounds.

 

[hawkis4555]

What if i got a receiver that could handle both sets of speakers 4 ohm and 8 ohm. I have used those speakers with outstanding sound for over 30 years. I have been checking and there seems to be a few receivers that can handle it. I am not looking for surround sound. Just want a simple set up with 4 speakers and a subwoofer like i had before.

 

[Leemix]

What if i got a receiver that could handle both sets of speakers 4 ohm and 8 ohm. I have used those speakers with outstanding sound for over 30 years. I have been checking and there seems to be a few receivers that can handle it. I am not looking for surround sound. Just want a simple set up with 4 speakers and a subwoofer like i had before.

If you really like the sound like that you can buy an AVR, set it up as a 4.1 and use the multichannel stereo sound mode(name differs so can be all channel stereo or 5 ch stereo and so on). This way you will have a dedicated amp channel for each of the speakers instead of sharing which is a lot harder for the 2 amp sections you use now.
And better bass management.


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[sterling shoote]

Op, are you running the second pair of speakers in a different room? And, when the powered sub is hooked up are you running the speaker wire from receiver to it and speaker wire from sub to speakers?

 

[hawkis4555]

Both pair of speakers are in the same room connected to the same receiver. The subwoofer is powered and connected to the same receiver as the speakers via an RCA cable.

 

[lovinthehd]

What if i got a receiver that could handle both sets of speakers 4 ohm and 8 ohm. I have used those speakers with outstanding sound for over 30 years. I have been checking and there seems to be a few receivers that can handle it. I am not looking for surround sound. Just want a simple set up with 4 speakers and a subwoofer like i had before.

A typical avr would be a better tool than the 2ch unit you have. It would have separate amps for each speaker. You might also check out modern speakers, cannot imagine buying electronics for those Bose speakers particularly. Surround sound may be an improvement over the doubled up stereo you're doing now, too. atho as was said an avr typically has multi-ch stereo modes (something I don't find as good as using surround modes). The avr will have bass management, too. YMMV.

 

[Pogre]

What if i got a receiver that could handle both sets of speakers 4 ohm and 8 ohm. I have used those speakers with outstanding sound for over 30 years. I have been checking and there seems to be a few receivers that can handle it. I am not looking for surround sound. Just want a simple set up with 4 speakers and a subwoofer like i had before.

Speaker technology has come a long way in 30 years and great sound can be had for far less nowadays. I think you might be a little shocked if you got out and listened a little. Running 4 speakers the way you have it set up is not really recommended because it causes a lot of interference. It really slops up and smears the sound. Google comb filtering for a deeper explanation if you like.

I don't doubt that you like how it sounds now, but with a little bit of experimentation some different positioning I think you might find some big improvements you didn't know were possible. You'll never know until you try...

 

[hawkis4555]

A typical avr would be a better tool than the 2ch unit you have. It would have separate amps for each speaker. You might also check out modern speakers, cannot imagine buying electronics for those Bose speakers particularly. Surround sound may be an improvement over the doubled up stereo you're doing now, too. atho as was said an avr typically has multi-ch stereo modes (something I don't find as good as using surround modes). The avr will have bass management, too. YMMV.

 

[hawkis4555]

Thanks for your help. It gives me some other options to explore. I was just being cheap and not wanting to buy a whole new system. May have to though...

 

[hawkis4555]

Speaker technology has come a long way in 30 years and great sound can be had for far less nowadays. I think you might be a little shocked if you got out and listened a little. Running 4 speakers the way you have it set up is not really recommended because it causes a lot of interference. It really slops up and smears the sound. Google comb filtering for a deeper explanation if you like.

I don't doubt that you like how it sounds now, but with a little bit of experimentation some different positioning I think you might find some big improvements you didn't know were possible. You'll never know until you try...

 

[hawkis4555]

Thanks for your help. It gives me some other options to explore. I was just being cheap and not wanting to buy a whole new system. May have to though...

Speaker technology has come a long way in 30 years and great sound can be had for far less nowadays. I think you might be a little shocked if you got out and listened a little. Running 4 speakers the way you have it set up is not really recommended because it causes a lot of interference. It really slops up and smears the sound. Google comb filtering for a deeper explanation if you like.

I don't doubt that you like how it sounds now, but with a little bit of experimentation some different positioning I think you might find some big improvements you didn't know were possible. You'll never know until you try...

 

[Pogre]

Thanks for your help. It gives me some other options to explore. I was just being cheap and not wanting to buy a whole new system. May have to though...

Well, there are some things you can try without spending a penny. I'd start by carefully listening to both sets of speakers by themselves and see which I preferred. Then I would set those 2 up front as recommended and use them only for music. If you have a stereo receiver with only 2 channels you could be creating other problems by wiring 2 sets of speakers in parallel like that as well with your amplifier. You're basically halving the impedance and making it work harder for the same spl.

We might be able to help you put something together without you having to donate a kidney, lol. There are some good budget options for speakers available and I have to think they would sound better than what you have now. You could start there and see how you like them with your current receiver then go from there. If you want 4 channel music I'd suggest a receiver designed to handle the amplification for it.

Go ahead, give us a budget. We can handle it!