Basic Home theater setup questions...PLEASE HELP

[jessb_55]

So i just bought a used Sony STR-K790 home theater package which came with a sub and 2 speakers and 1 center speaker. Sounds good, but i wanted to add the 2 missing speakers to make it a fuller sound. First i have a hard time believeing the system didn't come with all 5 speakers but that's what the guy said...So i picked up another cheap system yesterday that came with 5 speakers, no sub and has the surround receiver and dvd player as one unit with plans to use 2 of the speakers for my system and then give my dad the receiver/amp to use in his garage as a cd player and tuner. While going to hook up two of the additional speakers to my system i noticed that they were rated at 3 ohms where the ones that came with the system i bought originally were 6 ohms. So my question is, will these speakers work ok with each other (the 3 and 6 ohms combined) or what are my best options. I realize this is a low end system, but i'm very poor and just trying to get a decent system for my basement on a very low budget. Also the amp from the original system (the sony STR-K790) is rated to 210 watts.


Thanks a million!

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah, I think that guy probably either didn't buy it new or was messing with you - that receiver came as part of a 5.1 package (the Sony HT-DDW790). Maybe it was part of a 3.1 package, but like you - I doubt it. If you don't have it already, you can download the owner's manual for that system in PDF format at the link here.

Anyway, you've got all the parts that you need, now. The thing with lower impedance speakers (3-ohm versus 6-ohm) is that they'll draw more current from the receiver. The higher the volume level, the more current a speaker will draw. If the receiver has to provide more current than it was designed to do, then it could overheat and/or fail. You've got two things working in your favor, though:

• Your Sony has a protection circuit to prevent damage in this situation. If the protection circuit turns on, then you know that you should either use different speakers or not turn them up so loud
• I'm assuming that you're going to use the two new speakers for surround speakers. Those tend to have relatively little power (and, therefore, current) going to them as compared to the front speakers.

My guess is that you won't run into problems with it unless you like to play stuff at really high volumes.

 

[jessb_55]

Hey Adam,
Thanks so much for your response. I too feel like the guy is pulling my leg. So your recommendation is that I should use the 3 ohm speakers for the surround then? Also should I have any issues with using the 2nd dvd/cd player receiver just for a tuner in a garage setup? Just gotta use the front speakers for speaker hookup is all i need to worry a bout right?

Thanks much

 

[Adam]

Happy to help!

So your recommendation is that I should use the 3 ohm speakers for the surround then?

That was my thought, yes. How do you think they compare to the 6-ohm speakers that came with the Sony - better, worse? If they are about the same or worse, then surround sound is a good place for them. If they are a lot better, then I'd say try them up front because your Sony should go into protection mode before damaging itself.

Also should I have any issues with using the 2nd dvd/cd player receiver just for a tuner in a garage setup? Just gotta use the front speakers for speaker hookup is all i need to worry a bout right?

That sure sound right to me. Just check that the receiver is in stereo mode versus a surround sound mode, otherwise you might be wondering why things sound so odd.

 

[jessb_55]

Alright I will go ahead and do that! Thanks again!

One last question, how does a person know which surruound mode to use for what type of programming? Is there some sort of rule of thumb lol?

 

[Adam]

One last question, how does a person know which surruound mode to use for what type of programming? Is there some sort of rule of thumb lol?

IMO, it's really all about what you like. I use the "Direct" mode on my receiver most of the time, which means that it will play whatever is sent to it (so, if a TV program is Dolby Digital 5.1, it'll play that - if it's stereo, it'll play that). Sometimes I'll use Dolby Pro Logic on stereo sources just to get some surround sound. I say experiment and find what you like - it's really easy to push buttons.