Can receiver handle different loads?

[CosmicCharlie]

Hi,

I've just upgraded my speakers for a 5.1 system hooked up to a Pioneer 1015TX receiver. My front speakers and center channel are rated at 8 ohms but the surrounds are rated at 4. Will this be an issue? So far it sounds good but I can't read anywhere in the user manual that says this receiver can manage more difficult and varied loads.

Anyone out there with experience and or suggestions in this regard?

thanks kindly ...

CC

 

[OttoMatic]

Hey Cosmic Charlie,

I don't know what your receiver is actually rated to tolerate as far as speaker loads goes. However, in general, there shouldn't be any problem with it handling different loads per speaker. Each channel is its own amp, and as long as each channel can handle a low impedance load, it should be fine.

Now, as to the low impedance load on the rears. The problem with low impedance loads is that they generally demand more current from the amp, especially at high levels. My take is that surrounds don't usually demand much from the amplifier -- most of us could probably get by on 10 or 20 W to the rears and be OK. Also, if your rears have a crossover applied (e.g., at 80 Hz or so), there will be much less current demanded from the amp (and bass requires more current than highs). I think you'll be OK.

If your receiver goes into protect mode, that would definitely be a sign that you are having a problem. I figure that didn't happen, or you would have said something. If your receiver is running very hot, it also may be a sign of a struggle to supply current, or it may just be the way the receiver runs (so it may not tell anything; you could probably do some temperature testing with and without the surrounds running to see if there's a difference).

I don't have a problem running 4 ohm loads to almost any receiver. I've done it all my life -- when I was a kid, I did it because I didn't know any better and I just wanted to hook up a bunch of speakers; as an adult, I do it because I know how amps work and current flows, and I know the limitations of my receivers or amplifiers. I have connected in parallel two sets of speakers: one is in my family rom and another is on my patio. That's definitely a four ohm (or less) load, and I have no problems from an old Kenwood receiver that runs that setup. As long as things are kept to a reasonable level, there's no reason for the amp to burn up.

Anyway, good luck. I'm gonna go play some Franklin's Tower now for the family -- thanks for reminding me!

 

[PENG]

Going strictly by the manufacturer's specifications the answer is no you should not use it with 4 ohm speakers. Manufacturers in general will not rate their low/mid end receivers for 4 ohm loads in order to meet certain standards and regulations that apply to such products.

Without knowing your room acoustic conditions, details of your speakers, average SPL you listened to etc., it is hard to say whether in practice you could use it with 4 ohm speakers. Since you said it sounds good now, and the fact that the Pioneer weighs 34 lbs, rated for 150W 6 ohms 1% distortion at 1 KHz, I would say if only the surround speakers are rated 4 ohms you should be fine for home theater purposes from sound quality stand point. However, you would be doing so at your own risk because the instruction manual clearly tells you not to. Again, they may be telling you that because of some applicable regulations and standards they have to abide by.

The Pioneer has pre outs so you have the option to add an external amplifier for those speakers.

 

[jamie2112]

Yo Charlie another Deadhead on here, I like it...Your Pioneer will be fine with that load. That is a powerful receiver you have and it should have no problem handling the 4 ohm load on surrounds.The surrounds don't draw as much power so, unless your amp gets really hot you should be fine. As Otto mentioned if your amp goes into protect mode you may have an issue. But my take is you should be ok because you are not drawing a huge load with the surrounds......
once in awhile you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right