DENON AVR 3805 and 4 Ohm ?

[Peppy]

I just order a pair of AXIOM M80ti and I was just showing to some one what they look like on your web page, when I just realise that the specification how these speaker are 4 ohm. Hep, I know , stupid me that I did verify this before I order these speaker. But because these speaker are Bi-wirable is it possible that the ohm independence increase ? I don't what to take the chance to damage my receiver; I have the DENON AVR 3805
and it do not support 4 ohm speaker.

Any advice ?

 

[toquemon]

No problema!, the Denon 3805 is strong enough to drive your speakers, just be careful with ventilation; check the temperature once in a while and if you're to worried buy a silent fan.

 

[Mort Corey]

The receiver is only rated for 6 ohm loads so you are going to be taxing it quite heavily. I wouldn't do it but it may me OK... though it could void the warranty. I'd ask around on the Axiom forum or just call the company direct and see what they have to say.

Mort

 

[PENG]

According to the manual, the 3805 can handle 4 ohms, just don't run it at high volume for too long.

 

[nova]

According to the Denon rep I spoke to the 3805 is stable to 3.2 ohms. I run mine for long periods at a fairly high volume, driving some power hungry 4 ohm speakers (RBH 1266SE, 661SE, 66SE and a 1212E),.... no problems, not hot at all,.... just a little warm.

 

[ssjadway]

You also have the option, if the suggestions of the other forum users don't work for you - that is, you find the 3805 struggles - of returning the speakers to Axiom and getting other ones. Even Axiom may have some easier-to-drive speakers.

 

[libor]

Denon is going to strugle and posibly damage speakers,disconect yours fire alarm.

 

[gene]

Denon is going to strugle and posibly damage speakers,disconect yours fire alarm.

This is bad advice, which I assume was meant as a joke.

The Receiver will shut down long before it will overheat or be overdriven enough to present a safety issue and most likely long before it goes into heavy clipping.

The M80ti's should run fine with this receiver. Clint used these speakers for years on even less capable receivers than the 3805 with NO issues.

On the flip side, if you are running the M80's full range, there is no doubt they would benefit from an external amp, especially in large rooms with loud listening preferences. Those speakers like alot of power, but work well on less too.

 

[libor]

You may not start fire,but Denon will and did strugled with PSB MINI 4ohms speakers,to the point of burning smell.So don t play it to loud.But how can you live like that.

 

[Peppy]

Sorry Libor, but your the only one who are "that" negatif. Almost every member from this forum and the Axiom tech, told me that the Denon will take the 4 ohm speaker. If you have a bone with Denon, it would be more constructive to tell what that problem is or was than just trying bashing the brand.

 

[libor]

Yes,I do have beef with Denon.But Mort Corey-taxing it quite heavily,Peng-just dont run it at high volume,Toquemont-check the temperature.Sound like some kind of warning.Why ?

 

[TPERIOD]

AVR-3805 and Axiom M80i

I talked with the head of product development last month about subwoofers and this topic came up. He told me that they use a 3805 for testing and had never had a problem driving the 4 ohm speakers. I'll take that as a vote of confidence. Just make sure your power line is clean. (Hint: RGPC line conditioner).

 

[kode3]

You will be fine, before I got my Rotel amp I ran my 6 ohm Martin Logans on my 3805 with no problems. I listen at high volume also.

 

[libor]

This is my last word.As a audioholics we want clean and pure sound,if I have to watch temperature and other thinks I dont want it.Sound is too importat to disregart stugling.Some denon list 6&8 ohms only.I am talking experience.Mr Code3 driving 6 ohms.I have couple of Denons for sale-not perfect,but it is DENON.

 

[gene]

Libor;

Your claims are questionable. Some amps run hot to the touch at idle, such as my Aragon 8008 series. Are you saying they wont drive 4 ohms b/c they run hot? Its how the heat is dissipated and if the product is designed to handle it is what matters. Many people here, including our reviewer of the Denon 3805 had no issues driving 4 ohm less sensitive speakers than the ones mentioned in this thread. A lot of this also depends on room size, room properties, and listening preferences.

Regarding 6 ohms, you should take a look at this article as it may shed a little light on receivers for you.

Power Managing Receiver Platforms

 

[Pat D]

I just order a pair of AXIOM M80ti and I was just showing to some one what they look like on your web page, when I just realise that the specification how these speaker are 4 ohm. Hep, I know , stupid me that I did verify this before I order these speaker. But because these speaker are Bi-wirable is it possible that the ohm independence increase ? I don't what to take the chance to damage my receiver; I have the DENON AVR 3805
and it do not support 4 ohm speaker.

Any advice ?

Soundstage.com reviewed this speaker and performed measurements at the NRC. The impedance does seems to be a bit low, somewhat below 4 ohms over a good part of the frequency range, but the electrical phase is quite even, which is a good thing. The speaker is also moderately high in sensitivity, 90 dB. Those aren't just specifications, those are actual measurements. By all accounts, Denon receivers have pretty capable power supplies and should handle most speaker loads. Since neither Denon nor Axiom seem to have any doubts about the matter, I wouldn't worry about it.

http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/measurements/axiom_m80ti/

It is always good advice to make sure a receiver or amplifier has good ventilation.

 

[Mr.T]

Peppy, most of the answers you have got so far are good answers, but not technical oriented.
I will give a simple and safe solution but, before you do it, please confirm it with the speaker's manufacturer tech support.

A speaker wire has two conductors, one is the ground (shield) the other is what we call it the HOT wire, the wire that carries the audio signal.
Now, if youre able to do it, otherwise have someone do it for you.

Just solder to the center wire a 20 watts 4ohms resistor, so that it will be in series with the center wire, this procedure will add 4ohms to the speakers thus making the total impedance 8ohms.

It's safe, it's simple, unexpensive and best of all it works, but don't forget to speak to tech support first and get the OK from them

Mr.T

 

[PENG]

I think Peppy has done his own research and concluded that he is not going to worry about using his 3805 to drive the Axioms. Libor has a point too. In general, people should be concerned about using amplifiers rated for 8 ohms on 4 ohm speakers.

In this specific case, I have read 3 reviews on the 3805. Namely, Audioholics, Home Theater Magazine, and Sound and Vision. The latter two published bench test results. For example, in the August HTM issue, they tested the 3805, a Pioneer Elite model, a Sherwood model, and the HKAVR-630. The 3805 came out on top in terms of power output. It puts out something like 114.9 W with 5 channel driven, at 0.1 % THD. Its 1 channel output was well in excess of 200W into 4 ohms.

This kind of results indicate that the 3805 has some powerful amplifiers, in addition to a reasonably beefy power supply. Still, in the instruction manual (P16), there is a warning about the protector circuit may activate if the set is played for long periods of time at high volume when speakers of impedance lower than 4 ohms are connected. I assume "high volume" means SPL that most people cannot withstand for any length of time. I am sure peppy will enjoy his set up. The Denon will be fine.

 

[PENG]

Just checked the http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/804denon/index2.html site. I made a mistake, the 3805 was tested two channel (not 1) output 132.2 watts into 8 ohms, and 218.4 watts into 4 ohms at 0.1% distortion. Powerful amps indeed !

 

[furrycute]

The Aragon 8008 runs in full class A, therefore it is expected to run hot at idle. Class A amps will actually cool down when driving speakers.

Personally I would not use receivers to drive 4ohm loads. You will get sound. But the sound quality is another story.