Help... Basically. Regarding impedance, wiring, pro receivers and my other options

[bearjew]

Hello and First Post!

So, basically I'm still a pretty big noob in this whole audio video world and was wondering if you could help me out. I think I know what i'm talking about generally, but I posted it in the noob forum just in case.

*Too long don't read: Is there a way to raise resistence on my speakers for my home theater 3 matched fronts which are 4ohms or hook up three 4ohm matched speakers in a basement music system that makes sense over a 2 channel. The imaging doesn't have to be good in the basement because i'm never sitting in one place down there.*

I had some money that was buring a whole in my pocket and basically bought 3 more speakers used, a matching center and two floorstanders that match 2 floor standers I already own. The problems are manifold, but basically I had intended to run the 2 floor standers in a zone 2 as i like the speakers and the center in my 7.1, the problem is i have an entry lvl Onkyo an RC-260 and all 5 of these speakers are 4ohms so even running the front three with 4ohms. I got it ventilated and bought some fans on the way, but I'm afraid to add my sides and high fronts (also bought used and 6ohms which is fine i think for sides and front heights) when it's already this hot running. I do have a powered subwoofer to take some of the load off the onkyo.

those five speakers are onix reference 1.5's floorstanding and the ref 100 center. I bought them all cheap except the center... still fairly cheap, but now it may be useless to me!

SO! I have a few options and questions.
1. Replace my three fronts for a higher resistance and hook up my current 3 fronts in my basement in mono with mono/stereo blocks in the basement via daisy chaining. The basement is fairly large and stereo would not be totally necessary, But I have three speakers and I don't really know the best way to hook this up other than buying two amps hooking two speakers to one and the center to the other. having the center chained in there might not really be all that much better than just two speakers and having to buy an extra amp. Maybe there is a solution in wiring, or hell i don't know.

2. I could save up for a pro reciever that could push some serious loads easily. But I like my current reciever and don't really need another 7.2 reciever as I don't want or need but one theater system honestly and I'm not excited of spending this kind of money.

3. Maybe you guys know of a solution?

I'm just kind of frusterated as I spent all this cash on high quality used stereo speakers for the price and yet all the loads are not consumer electronic equipment friendly. I didn't really understand this, when it came to home theater versus stereo amps.

*Too long don't read: Is there a way to raise resistence on my speakers for my home theater 3 matched fronts which are 4ohms or hook up three 4ohm matched speakers in a basement music system that makes sense over a 2 channel. The imaging doesn't have to be good in the basement because i'm never sitting in one place down there.*

 

[fuzz092888]

First of all the entry level onkyos are know to run pretty hot, even the higher end ones do. The heat isn't necessarily because the onkyo is being pushed too hard (although from the sounds of it, it probably is) but just from being on. Forget changing the resistance of the speakers, it's not an area you want to venture into, and from the sounds of it you don't have anywhere near a good enough grasp of the science behind speaker building to even attempt such a thing (neither do I btw )

Secondly you couldn't add an amp to that receiver because it has no pre outs for anything else other than subwoofers.

If you're happy with you speakers why would you replace them? Swapping out the receiver would give you everything you seem to want and be much cheaper

I don't know why you think you need mono blocks or stereo amps either.

A good three or 5 channel amp would allow you to hook all three up and drive them to their limits (probably).

I think you need to read this for a better understanding of impedance, ohms and resistance.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/amps-pre-pros-receivers/75823-ohms-speaker-receiver-matching-faq.html

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello and First Post!

So, basically I'm still a pretty big noob in this whole audio video world and was wondering if you could help me out. I think I know what i'm talking about generally, but I posted it in the noob forum just in case.

*Too long don't read: Is there a way to raise resistence on my speakers for my home theater 3 matched fronts which are 4ohms or hook up three 4ohm matched speakers in a basement music system that makes sense over a 2 channel. The imaging doesn't have to be good in the basement because i'm never sitting in one place down there.*

I had some money that was buring a whole in my pocket and basically bought 3 more speakers used, a matching center and two floorstanders that match 2 floor standers I already own. The problems are manifold, but basically I had intended to run the 2 floor standers in a zone 2 as i like the speakers and the center in my 7.1, the problem is i have an entry lvl Onkyo an RC-260 and all 5 of these speakers are 4ohms so even running the front three with 4ohms. I got it ventilated and bought some fans on the way, but I'm afraid to add my sides and high fronts (also bought used and 6ohms which is fine i think for sides and front heights) when it's already this hot running. I do have a powered subwoofer to take some of the load off the onkyo.

those five speakers are onix reference 1.5's floorstanding and the ref 100 center. I bought them all cheap except the center... still fairly cheap, but now it may be useless to me!

SO! I have a few options and questions.
1. Replace my three fronts for a higher resistance and hook up my current 3 fronts in my basement in mono with mono/stereo blocks in the basement via daisy chaining. The basement is fairly large and stereo would not be totally necessary, But I have three speakers and I don't really know the best way to hook this up other than buying two amps hooking two speakers to one and the center to the other. having the center chained in there might not really be all that much better than just two speakers and having to buy an extra amp. Maybe there is a solution in wiring, or hell i don't know.

2. I could save up for a pro reciever that could push some serious loads easily. But I like my current reciever and don't really need another 7.2 reciever as I don't want or need but one theater system honestly and I'm not excited of spending this kind of money.

3. Maybe you guys know of a solution?

I'm just kind of frusterated as I spent all this cash on high quality used stereo speakers for the price and yet all the loads are not consumer electronic equipment friendly. I didn't really understand this, when it came to home theater versus stereo amps.

*Too long don't read: Is there a way to raise resistence on my speakers for my home theater 3 matched fronts which are 4ohms or hook up three 4ohm matched speakers in a basement music system that makes sense over a 2 channel. The imaging doesn't have to be good in the basement because i'm never sitting in one place down there.*

You can not raise the impedance of the speakers.

Your problem is you have an entry level receiver, and high end speakers.

I would keep the speakers.

I would buy this woofer tester and actually measure the impedance of the speakers, and we will see what the impedance curve looks like. Unfortunately there has just been a big price jump, as they have added features.

Impedance varies all over the map with frequency. Then you will know how to plan your purchases.

You have two options.

Put your receiver up for sale on eBay and get a receiver with pre outs so you can buy four ohm capable external amps to drive the front three.

Use your Onkyo until it blows, and that might be a long time. Then recycle the Onkyo and purchase what you really require.

Be careful with those Onyx speakers. The owner went to jail and AV123 is history.

None of your other musings make much sense. You have speakers with high end drivers, you just need to instal them correctly and enjoy them.

 

[bearjew]

Thanks.

Thanks guys.

I guess I'm gonna see what the onkyo's got and just play it out. I don't really turn the volume past 50 on the reciever as i'm a condo dweller. I did get a couple thermaltake computer usb fans and man those things really do a good job cooling. I watched Titanic (great soundtrack on that one) with the girlfriend the other night at volume 50 with 5 speakers running for 3 hours and all was good. now to add the heights

I guess, my rambling musings are just the confusion of someone who is new to this whole thing. I just now have enough understanding of what makes sense and what I subjectively like for home theater and 2 channel and various other applications since I've played around with this stuff for a little now. Live and learn.