4Ohm fronts w Onkyo 701/Yam 2400

[IAmCanadian]

<font color='#000000'>I have listened to an Onkyo tx-sr701, the Yamaha RXV2400, and like both with PSB's ( I didn't think I would like the Yammie, but after hearing it, it does sound good). &nbsp;I have also heard a few NAD receivers with the PSB's, which sound very clean and excellent, but because of problems that have been posted over the net, I am wary of purchasing one, so I am sticking with the other two for now. &nbsp;
Here is my question. &nbsp;The amp I will buy will have to push 4ohm fronts, and 6ohm surrounds, and I am worried aobut the power of the units. &nbsp;Both dealers smatter on how they both have enough power to drive the PSB's for long time (and of course they would say that). &nbsp;What I heard sounded loud enough, but it IS in their listening enviro. and am always wary about the transition to my place. &nbsp;Neither dealers have an appealing &quot;try it out at home policy&quot; so I have to ask you all if either receiver will have problems with long running movies driving 4ohm loads in the front? &nbsp;Will there be overheating problems? &nbsp;That kind of stuff. &nbsp;Any light you can shed on the matter would be greatly appreciated. &nbsp;Thanks.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>That depends on a variety of factors. &nbsp;Room size, speaker efficiency, placement, listening levels, etc. &nbsp;Sure either one could handle a 4ohm load, but for how long and under what conditions is the real question???</font>

 

[Audioholic]

<font color='#000000'>Well I have a Yamaha DSP-A2 and the manufacturer says that I can have 4ohms for front, 6ohms centre and till 8ohms for rear. I have 4ohms front 6ohms centre and 4ohms on the rear and I listen pretty loud with out having any problems. I don’t think you will have overheating problems with either amps especially with the Yamaha and the 2400 witch has heaps of power. From what I know onkyo’s only go down to 6ohms, am I correct? If they do its abit risky, but you can try it at your own risk.

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[petermwilson]

<font color='#000000'>Hi,
It's an interesting question for us but possibly a costly answer for you if can't try things out at home.

The comment about how hard you drive things has merit but as the owner of 4ohm speakers I approached the question perhaps backwords.

Someone once told me something about power in amplification that has always seemed to come true.

I have a set (5) Totem Model 1 4ohm sensitivity of 87. &nbsp;I use a Denon5800/03 170w perch THX ULTA II. (the only reason i mention the THX spec is that the reciever has to have 7 distinct 170w channels to qualify)

This means that the amp section is not straining at low levels to get the best from the speakers. &nbsp;
You want your power section to have lots in reserve and let your wonderful speakers do their stuff without having to suck the life out of the amp.

On the other side of the coin, some of the greatest speakers on the planet are not power hungry.

Peter m.</font>

 

[Yamahaluver]

<font color='#0000FF'>Since Yamaha's own speakers have low impedance ratings like their NS-1000 which can dip to 2ohms at certain frequencies, most of not all Yamaha receivers are designed to handle low impedance loads, they run the Magnepans quite well and unlike other receivers they run them happily. The latest Yamaha NS-777 or the NS-HX are also rated at 6ohms nominal but the NS-HX is known to dip to 2ohms so Yamaha has to keep that factor in mind.</font>

 

[IAmCanadian]

<font color='#000000'>My fronts are PSB Stratus Bronze's with an Anechoic Chamber sensitivity of 90dB and at 92dB for a typical listening room, with a nominal impedance of 4 ohms.
The rears are PSB Century 300i's with an Anechoic Chamber sensitivity of 89dB and at 91dB for a typical listening room, with a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
The center is a PSB Stratus C6i with an Anechoic Chamber sensitivity of 91dB and at 93dB for a typical listening room, with a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
I cannot predict the size of the room they will eventually be in as I am looking to move into a house, but am currently in an apartment. &nbsp;But I have worked in consrtuction for a number of years and can predict that the future room it will be in will have hard wood floors and 12 ft ceilings and be of a medium size. &nbsp;Thats as specific as I can be I am afraid.
The Onkyo has a Dynamic Power rating that goes down to 3 ohms, but you all know about paper stats. &nbsp;Out of all this I am a bit put off by both the Onkyo and Yammie dealer for not being more &quot;expert&quot; with their knowledge of their products, but hey, thats what you guys are for.</font>